Isang Himala

Isang Himala
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Pepe Diokno
Written by	Pepe Diokno Ricky Lee
Based on	Himala, Isang Musikal by Ricky Lee Vincent de Jesus Himala by Ricky Lee
Produced by	Madonna Tarrayo Pepe Diokno
Starring	Aicelle Santos
Cinematography	Carlo Mendoza
Edited by	Benjamin Tolentino
Music by	Vincent De Jesus
Production companies	Kapitol Films UXS
Distributed by	Creazion Studios
Release date	December 25, 2024 (2024-12-25)
Running time	145 minutes
Country	Philippines
Language	Filipino

Isang Himala (lit. 'A miracle') is a 2024 Philippine musical drama film co-produced and directed by Pepe Diokno from a script he co-wrote with Ricky Lee. It is based on a 2018 theatrical play of the same name, itself an adaptation of the 1982 film Himala.

The film underperformed in the box office,[1] failing to enter the Top 3 in the top performing MMFF entries in box-office sales.[1][2][3]

Cast

• Aicelle Santos as Elsa, a young woman in Cupang who allegedly saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary.[4] Santos portrayed Elsa in the 2018 theatrical play directed by Ed Lacson Jr. and reprises the role in the 2024 musical film.[5]
• Bituin Escalante as Aling Saling, Elsa's mother[6] Escalante played the character in the 2018 play and reprises the role.[7]
• Floyd Tena as a Priest.[8]
• David Ezra as Orly, a journalist from Manila saw Elsa[9]
• Neomi Gonzales as Chayong, a close friend of Elsa.[10]
• Kakki Teodoro as Nimia, a close friend of Elsa.[11]
• Vic Robinson as Pilo, a Chayong's boyfriend.[12]
• Joann Co as Sepa, a believer of the apparition Elsa saw[13]

A significant portion of the cast of Isang Himala comes from a theatre background.[6]

Production

Isang Himala is a co-production of Kapitol Films and Uxs, Inc.[14] Pepe Diokno will direct the feature film with the screenplay written also by him alongside Ricky Lee.[15]

Isang Himala is based on the theatrical play, Himala: Isang Musikal, which premiered in 2018.[16][17] The play itself was based on the 1982 film Himala which starred Nora Aunor and directed by Ishmael Bernal[18]

The feature film was announced in July 2024 as one of first five entries of the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival as a script submission.[15]

Release

The float for Isang Himala at the Parade of Stars for the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival

As one of the ten official entries of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival, Isang Himala had its theatrical release in cinemas in the Philippines on December 25, 2024 with four cinemas on the first day and then six cinemas on the second day.[19] The film is also scheduled to premiere at the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Los Angeles on January 30, 2025.[20]

Reception

Box office

It is one of the lowest selling MMFF 2024 entry along with My Future You and Hold Me Close.[19][21][22][1] The film was a Box office bomb due to failed to hit box office hit sales and one of the underrated film of 2024.[1] As of January 2, 2025, the film failed to enter the Top 5 and Top 3 in the top performing MMFF entries in box-office sales.[1]

Accolades

Accolades received by Green Bones

Year	Award	Category	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref.
2024	50th Metro Manila Film Festival	Best Picture	Isang Himala	4th	[23]
		Special Jury Prize		Won
		Best Director	Pepe Diokno	Nominated
		Best Actress	Aicelle Santos	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	David Ezra	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actress	Kakki Teodoro	Won
		Best Screenplay	Ricky Lee and Pepe Diokno	Nominated
		Best Production Design	Ericsson Navarro	Nominated
		Best Sound	Mark Locsin, Teresa Barozzo & Narra Post	Nominated
		Best Original Theme Song	"Ang Himala Ay Nasa Puso" (by Juan Karlos)	Won
		Best Musical Score	Vincent de Jesus	Won
		Best Visual Effects	Engine Room and Green Maya	Nominated

References

1. "Isang Himala Luging-lugi ang mga producers at hindi kinagat ng mga tao". PEP .
2. "Nakakaloka! 'Isang Himala' iniintrigang mangungulelat sa MMFF". Abante. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
3. Guerrero, L (December 27, 2024). "Vice at Vic Sotto, wagi pa rin sa takilya!; Isang himala, nabawasan agad ng sinehan". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
4. "Aicelle Santos to star as Elsa in 'Himala: Isang Musikal' film". GMA News. GMA Integrated News. August 30, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
5. Orosa, Carlo (November 9, 2024). "After 2-year hiatus, Aicelle Santos makes 'Himala' comeback". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
6. Mendoza, Ruel (November 11, 2024). "Isang Himala producers "hopeful" amid strong competition in MMFF 2024". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
7. De Veyra, Jeeves (February 8, 2018). "'Himala' musical gets stripped down in 15th anniversary restaging". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
8. "Floyd Tena bilang Pari" [Floyd Tena as Priest]. Instagram (in Filipino). CreaZion Studios. November 28, 2024. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
9. "David Ezra bilang Orly" [David Ezra as Orly]. Instagram (in Filipino). CreaZion Studios. November 28, 2024. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
10. "Neomi Gonzales bilang Chayong" [Neomi Gonzales as Chayong]. Instagram (in Filipino). CreaZion Studios. December 2, 2024. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
11. "Kakki Teodoro bilang Nimia" [Kakki Teodoro as Nimia]. Instagram (in Filipino). CreaZion Studios. November 29, 2024. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
12. "Vic Robinson bilang Pilo" [Vic Robinson as Pilo]. Instagram (in Filipino). CreaZion Studios. November 30, 2024. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
13. "Joann Co bilang Sepa" [Joann Co as Sepa]. Instagram (in Filipino). CreaZion Studios. December 3, 2024. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
14. Requintina, Robert (July 16, 2024). "Vice Ganda, Vic Sotto, Piolo Pascual films make it to 50th MMFF". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
15. "Metro Manila Film Festival announces first 5 official entries for 2024 edition". Rappler. July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
16. Purnell, Kristofer (July 16, 2024). "Vic Sotto returning to MMFF after 5 years; Vice Ganda film also selected". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
17. Villano, Alexa (January 22, 2018). "6 things you need to know about 'Himala: Isang Musikal'". Rappler. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
18. Soliman, Michelle Anne (May 29, 2019). "Himala: Isang Musikal dominates the 11th Gawad Buhay Awards". BusinessWorld. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
19. "Isang Himala Director umiyak at nagmamakawa sa mga cinema owners dahil sa tatlo-anim lang sila. Pinull-out pa sa ibang ibang cinema". PEP.
20. Martinez, Gavin (December 31, 2024). "'Hello, Love, Again' returns to LA as part of MIFF 2025". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
21. Mayo, Stephanie (July 18, 2024). "MMFF 50th Edition: Excitement builds as first half of finalists revealed". Daily Tribune. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
22. "Isang Himala Director desperado na makakuha ng ibang cinema para mabawi ang lugi ng produksyon". PEP.
23. Reyes, Juno (December 28, 2024). "FULL LIST: Winners, 2024 MMFF Gabi ng Parangal". Rappler. Retrieved December 28, 2024.

External links

• Media related to Isang Himala at Wikimedia Commons
• Isang himala IMDb