- Himala
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Himalâ (Miracle) 
Directed by Ishmael Bernal Produced by Bibsy N. Carballo[1] Screenplay by Ricardo Lee Story by Ricardo Lee Starring Nora Aunor Music by Winston Raval Cinematography Sergio Lobo Editing by Ike Jarlego, Jr. Distributed by Experimental Cinema of the philippines Release date(s) December 25, 1982 Country Philippines Language Tagalog Budget ₱ 3,000,000 (estimate) Box office ₱ 30,000,000 (estimate) Himalâ ("Miracle") is a Filipino film directed by the late National Artist Ishmael Bernal of the Philippines in 1982. The film's script was written by multi-award winner screenwriter Ricky Lee based on a true incident on a teenage girl in Cabra Island in the province of Occidental Mindoro between 1966 and 1967.[2][3] Sergio Lobo was the Director of Photography.
Himalâ was filmed entirely in the province of Ilocos Norte in just three weeks with a budget of only ₱ 3 million. The film premiered at the 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival, and in 1983, became the first and to date, the only Filipino film to be included in the "Competition Section" of the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival. Since then, Himala has been exhibited in a number of film festivals around the world.[4]
On November 11, 2008, Himalâ won the Viewer's Choice Award for the Best Film of all Time from the Asia-Pacific Region in the 2008 CNN Asia Pacific Screen Awards beating out nine other outstanding movies.(voted by thousands of film fans around the world).[5][6] The ten finalists were chosen by critics, industry insiders and actors—including Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. [7][8]
Philippine superstar Nora Aunor is best known for her performance in the film as the visionary Elsa. Her portrayal is considered by most Filipino critics as the best of her career.[7]
Contents
Subject and impact
Himalâ is the story of Elsa, a barrio lass whose visions of the Virgin Mary changed her life and caused a sensation hysteria in a poor, isolated village. The film is centered on the issues of religious faith and faithlessness.[7] Elsa, in her speech on the hill, delivered the film's (and Aunor's) most famous line:
"Walang himala!! Ang himala ay nasa puso ng tao, nasa puso nating lahat! Tayo ang gumagawa ng mga himala! Tayo ang gumagawa ng mga sumpa at ng mga diyos..." ("There is no miracle!! The miracles are in people's hearts, in all our hearts! We make the miracles! We are the ones who make curses, gods...")
Himalâ became a box-office hit, earning an impressive PhP 30 million, becoming one of the highest grossing Filipino films in the 1980s. Aunor also won several awards for her performance.
Plot summary
The setting is a small town named Cupang, a community set in an arid landscape. The townsfolk believed that the drought they were having was a curse placed on the upon the town for driving away a leper years before.
During a solar eclipse, Elsa (Aunor), a local young woman, allegedly saw an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary atop a barren hill, the same place where her adoptive mother Aling Salíng (Labalan) found her as a baby. Right after, she started healing local residents assisted by her friends, Chayong (Centeno) and Sepa (Quiambao), who eventually became part of her "Seven Apostles"[1], including entrepreneur Mrs. Alba (Palileo). Word spread around and soon pilgrims and tourists started arriving in Cupang to visit Elsa's house, distinguished by the big sign "Elsa loves you," to see her. At the same time, enterprising residents of Cupang started businesses like selling religious articles, offering accommodations, among others, capitalizing on the sudden influx of local and foreign patients and tourists.
Orly (Spanky Manikan), a filmmaker, arrived in town to make a documentary about Elsa, interviewing her and people who personally know her. Around the same time, Elsa's childhood friend Nimia (Dueñas), now a prostitute, returned and established a kabaret (a sleazy nightclub/brothel) for tourists, which was later ordered closed by the Seven Apostles.
One day, in the church's confessional, Orly revealed to the town's Catholic priest (Lamangan) that he saw two drugged youths from Manila sexually assaulting Elsa and Chayong on the hill. The filmmaker was holding a tremendous guilt; instead of helping the two victims, he continued capturing the incident on film, as he needed a scoop for his struggling career.
A cholera epidemic spread throughout Cupang, with Sepa's two children dying after eating tainted meat at Elsa's house. Chayong then hanged herself because of shame from the assault. Authorities quarantined Elsa's house, closing it off from patients. Elsa blamed herself for all of the deaths and decided to stop healing. Eventually, the patients and tourists stopped coming, leaving the town the way it was before the hoopla.
Elsa started showing signs of pregnancy from the rape. Mrs. Alba concluded that it is "Immaculate Conception" and proclaimed that Elsa is truly blessed. At the exact moment, thunder started roaring in the background, followed by pouring rain. The townspeople rejoiced and played in the rain, convinced that the miracle has returned and that the curse was finally lifted. Mrs. Alba and the crowd returned to Elsa's house and called out to her. She commanded her followers to call everybody to assemble on the hill.
In front of her congregation, Elsa, apprehensive at first, eventually professed that there were no miracles, no sightings of the Virgin, and pleaded that people themselves invent gods, miracles, curses and such. In the middle of her speech, a gun pointed towards her, was fired, hitting her on her chest and a violent stampede ensued. The old and infirm who came to be healed, including children were trampled upon in the mass hysteria. Injuries were everywhere.
Elsa gasped her last breathe in her mother's arms looking towards the sky while Orly and other reporters captured her last moment on their cameras. Wailing and crying ensued after the announcement of her death, and the crowd started gravitating towards her. As Elsa was being taken to a waiting ambulance, her followers lifted her lifeless body overhead, in a crucifix position, as the crowd wanted to touch her. Crowds were scampering all over the hill as they followed Elsa down to the car. Against her husband's will, Sepa shouted to the crowd, proclaiming that Elsa was a saint, a martyr for the world's suffering. She led the congregation in praying the Hail Mary on their knees going up the hill as the ambulance carrying Elsa drove away.[1]
Credits
Production staff and full cast of Himala[1]:
Production
- Direction: Ishmael Bernal
- Story/Screenplay: Ricky Lee
- Cinematography: Sergio Lobo
- Music: Winston Raval
- Editing: Ike Jarlego, Jr.
- Sound engineer: Vic Macamay
- Production design: Racquel Villavicencio
- Art directors: Dennis Cyd, Benjie Garcia and Bing Fabregas
- Executive Producer: Charo Santos-Concio
- Producer: Bibsy N. Carballo
- Associate producer: Trina N. Dayrit
- Production manager: Herman Robles
- Associate director: Warlito M. Teodoro
- Casting and Crowd Director: Joel Lamangan
Full Cast
- Elsa - Nora Aunor
- Orly - Spanky Manikan
- Nimia - Gigi Duenas
- Chayong - Laura Centeno
- Aling Saling - Vangie Labalan
- Mrs. Alba - Veronica Palileo
- Sepa - Ama Quiambao
- Igmeng Bugaw - Cris Daluz
- Baldo - Ben Almeda
- Mrs Gonzalez - Aura Mijares
- Priest - Joel Lamangan
- Bino - Ray Ventura
- Pilo - Pen Medina (as Crispin Medina)
- Lolo Hugo - Mahatma Canda
- Narding - Lem Garcellano
- Bella - Stella de Leon
- Lucio - Cesar Dimaculangan
- Mayor - Joe Gruta
- Chief of Police - Tony Angeles
- Nestoy - Richard Arellano
- Intong - Erwin Jacinto
- Aling Pising - Vicky Castillo
- Chua - Tommy Yap
Awards
Himalâ has won numerous awards and distinctions in the Philippines and abroad, including Best Picture from the 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival and the 1983 Catholic Mass Media Awards.
At the Manila Film Festival, the movie swept 9 of the 11 awards available. Aunor won the Best Actress trophy for her role in the film at the December local film festival, and was nominated for other top acting awards in the Philippines. She was nominated for Best Actress at the 33rd Berlin International Film Festival, where Himalâ vied in the prestigious competition for the Golden Bear Award.[9] The film was personally handpicked by Festival Director Moritz de Hadeln in the official selection.
The film's international honors also included the Bronze Hugo prize at the 1983 Chicago International Film Festival; it received a special religious citation in the 1983 Asia-Pacific Film Festival held in Taipei, Taiwan; and it was selected as the opening film for the 1983 Manila International Film Festival.
Himalâ was the choice of the Filipino film critics' society Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino as one of the ten best films of the 1980s. In 2002, the same critics' group named Himalâ one of the best Filipino movies for the last three decades, from 1970 - 1999.
Bernal, the film's director, was conferred the National Artist Award posthumously (he died in 1996). His body of work was accorded the high recognition of Gawad CCP para sa Sining in 1990, and the Centennial Honors for the Arts, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Philippine Declaration of Independence and Nationhood in 1998.
Himalâ was the only Filipino film that made it to the shortlist of the Best Asian Films of All Time chosen by CNN International in 2008. It was cited for its "austere camera work, haunting score and accomplished performances [that] sensitively portray the harsh social and cultural conditions that people in the third world endure." On November 12, 2008 it was announced [10][11]
1982 Metro Manila Film Festival
- Best Story/Screenplay
- Best Picture
- Best Actress (Aunor)
- Best Supporting Actor (Manikan)
- Best Supporting Actress (Duenas)
- Best Editing
- Best Cinematography
- Best Art Direction
- Best Production Design[12]
1982 Catholic Mass Media Awards
- Best Picture
- Best Screenplay
- Best Supporting Actor
- Best Supporting Actress
Gawad Urian Awards
- One of the Ten Best Films of the 1980s, URIAN (2000)[4]
- One of the Ten Best Films from 1970–1999, URIAN (2002)[13]
Other awards
- Winner, Bronze Hugo Awards, 19th Chicago Film Festival (1983)[14]
- Asia-Pacific Film Festival Special Achievement for Best Depiction of Socially Involved Religion (1983)[4]
- Best Asian-Pacific Movie of All Time, CNN APSA Viewers Choice Award (2008)[3]
Stage version
Screenwriter Ricky Lee collaborated with (the Cultural Center of the Philippines' resident theatre company Tanghalang Pilipino (TP) to stage a musical version entitled Waláng Himalâ.
Originally, the collaboration intended to stage a "sequel," set twenty years after Elsa was shot (the same time that had lapsed since the movie was shown). It would have starred Nora Aunor in the role of Elsa, establishing her as surviving the gunshot.
However, Aunor was not available and the team went on to produce a musical version of the movie. It was staged in the Huséng Batutè Theatre of the CCP in 2003 in the 20th season of TP. The libretto was by Ricky Lee, music and musical direction by Vincent de Jesus, lyrics by Vincent de Jesus and Ricky Lee, direction by Soxie Topacio, set and costume design by Gino Gonzales, choreography by Jose Jay Cruz and lighting design by Benjamin Villareal, Jr. May Bayot played the role of Elsa together with Isay Alvarez as Nimia, and Cynthia Culig-Guico as Chayong. Bayot won an Alíw Award for Best Actress in a Musical that year.
Due to popular demand, it was re-staged at the larger Tanghalang Aurélio Tolentino in 2004 in the 21st season of TP with the same artistic team. It went to Shanghai, China in 2008 as the Philippine representative to the Shanghai International Theater Festival. Waláng Himalâ which was the final song in the musical, was featured in CCP's Gala 40th Anniversary Concert "Rubies," performed by mezzo-soprano Clarissa Ocampo with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, arranged and conducted by Maestro Chino Toledo.
The original cast recording, produced by de Jesus, was recorded in 2008 and was released independently in 2009.
Remake
A remake of the film is rumored to be a plan by its director Ricky Lee with Angel Locsin as Elsa, after her delivery of the film's dialogues in one of Ricky Lee's fan conventions. Ricky Lee himself, said that Angel Locsin would be the perfect choice to play the part of Elsa.[15]
References
- ^ a b c d Lee, Ricardo. "Si Tatang at mga HImala ng Ating Panahon - Himala", p. 54-93. Bagong Likha Publications, Inc. (1988).
- ^ MiracleHunter, Inc. (2008). "Marian Apparition Claims of the 20th Century". The Miracle Hunter. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.
- ^ a b Pythias08 (2008-11-27). "CNN Screening Room's feature on Himala". YouTube. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.
- ^ a b c (2008-10-21). "Himala: A Treasure of World Cinema". Superstarstruck.
- ^ "Filipino film 'Himala' wins CNN APSA Viewer's Choice Award". CNN.com. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.
- ^ Dlanorsk5 (2008-12-26). "Nora Aunor HIMALA as CNN Viewer Choice Award as Best Film in Asia-Pacific". YouTube. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.
- ^ a b c (2008-10-27). "Himala in CNN film poll". Inquirer.net .Retrieved on 2011-03-28.
- ^ Plaza, Gerry (2008-11-12). inquirer.net, "CNN: ‘Himala’ best Asian film in history". Inquirer.net. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.
- ^ "Berlinale: 1983 Programme". berlinale.de. http://www.berlinale.de/en/archiv/jahresarchive/1983/02_programm_1983/02_Programm_1983.html. Retrieved 2010-11-17.
- ^ "Himala is one of CNN-UK's top 18 Asian films". gmanews.tv.
- ^ (2008-10-22). gmanews.tv, "Himala vies for CNN’s Viewers Choice Award". GMA NewsTV.com.
- ^ "Himala - 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival". Video 48. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.
- ^ "Pinalakang Gawad Urian". Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.
- ^ "Chicago International Film Festival 1983". IMDB.com.
- ^ Borromeo, Eric (2009-06-09). "Ricardo Lee says Angel Locsin a good Elsa". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
External links
- Ricky Lee Official Website
- Saksi: 'Himala' is viewers' choice in APSA 13 November 2008
- CNN: ‘Himala’ best Asian film in history
- Himala at the Internet Movie Database
- Himala at AllRovi
Metro Manila Film Festival Festival Years Best Picture Best Picture Dilingin mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa • Ganito kami noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon? • Burlesk Queen • Atsay • Kasal-kasalan, Bahay-bahayan • Taga sa Panahon • Kisapmata • Himala • Karma • Bulaklak ng City Jail • Paradise Inn • Halimaw sa Banga • Olongapo • Patrolman • Imortal • Andrea, Paano Ba Ang Maging Isang Ina? • Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M. • Andres Manambit, Angkan ng Matatapang • Kung Mawawala Ka Pa • Muling Umawit and Puso • Magic Temple • Nasaan ang Puso • Jose Rizal • Muro Ami • Tanging Yaman • Yamashita: The Tiger's Treasure • Mano Po • Crying Ladies • Mano Po III: My Love • Blue Moon • Enteng Kabisote 3 • Resiklo • Baler • Ang Panday • Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na 'To!) •Best Actor Best Actor Joseph Estrada (1975) • Christopher De Leon (1976) • Rolly Quizon (1977) • Raul Aragon (1979) • Dindo Fernando (1980) • Vic Silayan (1981) • Christopher De Leon (1982) • Anthony Alonzo (1983) • Herbert Bautista (1984) • Christopher De Leon (1985) • Mario O'Hara (1986) • Anthony Alonzo (1987) • Baldo Marro (1988) • Christopher De Leon (1989) • Dolphy (1990) • Eric Quizon (1991) • Aga Muhlach (1992) • Aga Muhlach (1993) • Roi Vinzon (1994) • Richard Gomez (1995) • Jomari Yllana (1996) • Christopher De Leon (1997) • Cesar Montano (1998) • Christopher De Leon (1999) • Johnny Delgado (2000) • Cesar Montano (2001) • Eddie Garcia (2002) • Eric Quizon (2003) • Christopher De Leon (2004) • Marvin Agustin (2005) • Cesar Montano (2006) • Jinggoy Estrada (2007) • Christopher De Leon (2008) • Bong Revilla (2009) • Dolphy (2010) •Best Actress Best Actress Charito Solis (1975) • Hilda Koronel (1976) • Vilma Santos (1977) • Nora Aunor (1978) • Lolita Rodriguez / Nora Aunor (1979) • Amy Austria (1980) • Vilma Santos (1981) • Nora Aunor (1982) • Coney Reyes (1983) • Nora Aunor (1984) • Vivian Velez (1985) • Liza Lorena (1986) • Melanie Marquez (1987) • Amy Austria (1988) • Vilma Santos (1989) • Nora Aunor (1990 & 1991) • Kimberly Diaz (1992) • Dawn Zulueta (1993) • Nora Aunor (1995) • Amy Austria (1996) • Maricel Soriano (1997) • Alice Dixson (1998) • Elizabeth Oropesa (1999) • Gloria Romero (2000) • Assunta De Rossi (2001) • Ara Mina (2002) • Maricel Soriano (2003) • Vilma Santos (2004) • Zsa Zsa Padilla (2005) • Judy Ann Santos (2006) • Maricel Soriano (2007) • Anne Curtis (2008) • Sharon Cuneta (2009) • Ai-Ai delas Alas (2010) •Best Supporting Actor Best Supporting Actor Vic Silayan (1975) • Ruel Vernal (1976) • Joonee Gamboa (1977) • Johnny Delgado (1979) • Jay Ilagan (1981) • Spanky Manikan (1982) • Dennis Roldan (1983) • Ed Villapol (1984) • Christopher Castillo (1986) • Roderick Paulate (1987) • Dick Israel (1988) • Leo Martinez (1991) • Albert Martinez (1995) • Jaime Fabregas (1998) • Pen Medina (1999) • Jeffrey Quizon (2000) • Ronnie Lazaro (2001) • Piolo Pascual (2002) • Victor Neri (2003) • Dennis Trillo (2004) • Jose Manalo (2005) • Johnny Delgado (2006) • Roi Vinzon (2007) • Phillip Salvador (2008) • Phillip Salvador (2009) • Dolphy (2010) •Best Supporting Actress Best Supporting Actress Nida Blanca (1975) • Mona Lisa II (1976) • Rosemarie Gil (1977) • Rebecca Gonzales (1978) • Charito Solis (1981) • Gigi Dueñas (1982) • Alicia Alonzo (1983) • Celia Rodriguez (1984) • Cherie Gil (1985) • Maritess Gutierrez (1986) • Susan Africa (1987) • Jacklyn Jose (1988) • Cherie Gil (1989) • Gina Alajar (1990) • Tetchie Agbayani (1991) • Sylvia Sanchez (1992) • Amy Austria (1993) • Teresa Loyzaga (1994) • Donna Cruz (1995) • Jean Garcia (1996) • Nida Blanca (1997) • Gloria Diaz (1998) • Angelu de Leon (1999) • Cherie Gil (2000) • Alessandra de Rossi (2001) • Kris Aquino (2002) • Hilda Koronel (2003) • Rebecca Lusterio (2004) • Cherry Pie Picache (2005) • Gina Pareño (2006) • Eugene Domingo (2007) • Manilyn Reynes (2008) • Heart Evangelista (2009) • Eugene Domingo (2010) •Best Director Best Director Augusto Buenaventura (1975) • Eddie Romero (1976) • Celso Ad Castillo (1977) • Eddie Garcia (1978) • Lino Brocka (1979) • Marilou Diaz-Abaya (1980) • Mike De Leon (1981) • Ishmael Bernal (1982) • Willie Milan (1983) • Mario O'Hara (1984) • Benjie De Guzman (1985) • Mario O'Hara (1986) • Artemio Marquez (1987) • Laurice Guillen (1988) • Eddie Garcia (1989) • Elwood Perez (1990 & 1991) • Ike Jarlego, Jr. (1992) • Jose Javier Reyes (1993) • Joel Lamangan (1995) • Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes (1996) • Chito Roño (1997) • Marilou Diaz-Abaya (1998 & 1999) • Laurice Guillen (2000) • Chito Roño (2001) • Joel Lamangan (2002) • Mark Meily (2003) • Cesar Montano (2004) • Jose Javier Reyes (2005 & 2006) • Cesar Apolinario (2007) • Mark Meily (2008) • Joel Lamangan (2009) • Wenn V. Deramas (2010) •Categories:- 1982 films
- 1980s drama films
- Philippine culture
- Philippine films
- Films directed by Ishmael Bernal
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