Isang Himala

{{Infobox film

| name = Isang Himala

| image = Isang himala.jpeg

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = Pepe Diokno

| writer = {{ubl|Pepe Diokno|Ricky Lee}}

| producer = {{ubl|Madonna Tarrayo|Pepe Diokno}}

| starring = Aicelle Santos

| based_on = {{Based on|Himala, Isang Musikal|Ricky Lee
Vincent de Jesus}}
{{Based on|Himala|Ricky Lee}}

| cinematography = Carlo Mendoza

| editing = Benjamin Tolentino

| music = Vincent De Jesus

| studio = {{ubl|Kapitol Films|UXS}}

| distributor = Creazion Studios

| released = {{Film date|2024|12|25}}

| country = Philippines

| language = Filipino

| runtime = 145 minutes

| budget =

| gross =

}}

Isang Himala ({{literal translation|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,{{cite web |title=Isang Himala Luging-lugi ang mga producers at hindi kinagat ng mga tao |url=https://www.pep.ph/pepalerts/pep-troika/184607/isang-himala-mmff-2024-a4118-20241225 |website=PEP }} failing to enter the Top 3 in the top performing MMFF entries in box-office sales.{{cite news|title=Nakakaloka! 'Isang Himala' iniintrigang mangungulelat sa MMFF |url=https://www.abante.com.ph/2024/12/07/nakakaloka-isang-himala-iniintrigang-mangungulelat-sa-mmff/ |publisher=Abante |access-date=January 6, 2025}}{{cite news|last=Guerrero |first=L |title=Vice at Vic Sotto, wagi pa rin sa takilya!; Isang himala, nabawasan agad ng sinehan |url=https://www.philstar.com/pilipino-star-ngayon/showbiz/2024/12/27/2410110/vice-vic-sotto-wagi-pa-rin-sa-takilya-himala-nabawasan-agad-ng-sinehan/ |publisher=The Philippine Star |date=December 27, 2024 |access-date=January 6, 2025}}

Premise

Based on Nora Aunor's Himala, the film traces back the story of Elsa, a visionary turned faith healer of her town.

Cast

Aicelle Santos as Elsa, a young woman in Cupang who allegedly saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary.{{cite news |title=Aicelle Santos to star as Elsa in 'Himala: Isang Musikal' film |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/918722/aicelle-santos-to-star-as-elsa-in-himala-isang-musikal-film/story/ |access-date=14 November 2024 |work=GMA News |agency=GMA Integrated News |date=30 August 2024 |language=en}} Santos portrayed Elsa in the 2018 theatrical play directed by Ed Lacson Jr. and reprises the role in the 2024 musical film.{{cite news |last1=Orosa |first1=Carlo |title=After 2-year hiatus, Aicelle Santos makes 'Himala' comeback |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2024/11/09/2398667/after-2-year-hiatus-aicelle-santos-makes-himala-comeback?fbclid=IwY2xjawGbv9xleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYSt1TnD07eB5WJR5bNdxulZdHojMfGN-ca8D1jswVpNaeqelvgOMX9sHw_aem_b9ZYmCJtWmIYKuYu1jseFA |access-date=14 November 2024 |work=The Philippine Star |date=9 November 2024}}
Bituin Escalante as Aling Saling, Elsa's mother{{cite news |last1=Mendoza |first1=Ruel |title=Isang Himala producers "hopeful" amid strong competition in MMFF 2024 |url=https://www.pep.ph/news/local/183854/isang-himala-mmff-2024-a748-20241110-lfrm |access-date=14 November 2024 |work=PEP.ph |publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. |date=11 November 2024 |language=fil}} Escalante played the character in the 2018 play and reprises the role.{{cite news |last1=De Veyra |first1=Jeeves |title='Himala' musical gets stripped down in 15th anniversary restaging |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/02/08/18/himala-musical-gets-stripped-down-in-15th-anniversary-restaging |access-date=14 November 2024 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=8 February 2018}}
Floyd Tena as a Priest.{{cite web |title=Floyd Tena bilang Pari|trans-title=Floyd Tena as Priest|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DC5_N7zTWSt/?img_index=1 |website=Instagram |publisher=CreaZion Studios |access-date=3 December 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241203074501/https://www.instagram.com/p/DC5_N7zTWSt/?img_index=1 |archive-date=3 December 2024 |date=28 November 2024|language=fil}}
David Ezra as Orly, a journalist from Manila saw Elsa{{cite web |title=David Ezra bilang Orly|trans-title=David Ezra as Orly|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DC33AvOzuOl/?img_index=1 |website=Instagram |publisher=CreaZion Studios |access-date=3 December 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241203074626/https://www.instagram.com/p/DC33AvOzuOl/?img_index=1 |archive-date=3 December 2024 |date=28 November 2024|language=fil}}
Neomi Gonzales as Chayong, a close friend of Elsa.{{cite web |title=Neomi Gonzales bilang Chayong|trans-title=Neomi Gonzales as Chayong |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DDCIz6WTied/?img_index=1 |website=Instagram |publisher=CreaZion Studios |access-date=3 December 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241203074349/https://www.instagram.com/p/DDCIz6WTied/?img_index=1 |archive-date=3 December 2024 |date=2 December 2024|language=fil}}
Kakki Teodoro as Nimia, a close friend of Elsa.{{cite web |title=Kakki Teodoro bilang Nimia|trans-title=Kakki Teodoro as Nimia |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DC6g0ueTcgv/?img_index=1 |website=Instagram |publisher=CreaZion Studios |access-date=3 December 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241203074442/https://www.instagram.com/p/DC6g0ueTcgv/?img_index=1 |archive-date=3 December 2024 |date=29 November 2024|language=fil}}
Vic Robinson as Pilo, a Chayong's boyfriend.{{cite web |title=Vic Robinson bilang Pilo|trans-title=Vic Robinson as Pilo |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DC9FpgmzWDM/?img_index=1 |website=Instagram |publisher=CreaZion Studios |access-date=3 December 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241203074419/https://www.instagram.com/p/DC9FpgmzWDM/?img_index=1 |archive-date=3 December 2024 |date=30 November 2024|language=fil}}
Joann Co as Sepa, a believer of the apparition Elsa saw{{cite web |title=Joann Co bilang Sepa|trans-title=Joann Co as Sepa |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DDG2jAeTZ_i/?img_index=1 |website=Instagram |publisher=CreaZion Studios |access-date=3 December 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241203074333/https://www.instagram.com/p/DDG2jAeTZ_i/?img_index=1 |archive-date=3 December 2024 |date=3 December 2024|language=fil}}

Nora Aunor, who starred in the 1982 film as Elsa, made a cameo appearance in a movie.{{cite web |last1=Felipe |first1=MJ |title=Nora Aunor to have special cameo at MMFF movie-musical ‘Isang Himala’ |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2024/12/4/nora-aunor-to-have-special-cameo-at-mmff-movie-musical-isang-himala-0056 |website=ABS-CBN News |access-date=April 19, 2025 |date=December 5, 2024}} A significant portion of the cast of Isang Himala comes from a theatre background.

Production

Isang Himala is a co-production of Kapitol Films and Uxs, Inc.{{cite news |last1=Requintina |first1=Robert |title=Vice Ganda, Vic Sotto, Piolo Pascual films make it to 50th MMFF |url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/16/vice-ganda-vic-sotto-piolo-pascual-films-make-it-to-50th-mmff |access-date=19 July 2024 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=16 July 2024 |language=en}} Pepe Diokno will direct the feature film with the screenplay written also by him alongside Ricky Lee.{{cite news |title=Metro Manila Film Festival announces first 5 official entries for 2024 edition |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/metro-manila-film-festival-announces-five-official-entries-2024/ |access-date=19 July 2024 |work=Rappler |date=16 July 2024}}

Isang Himala is based on the theatrical play, Himala: Isang Musikal, which premiered in 2018.{{cite news |last1=Purnell |first1=Kristofer |title=Vic Sotto returning to MMFF after 5 years; Vice Ganda film also selected |url=https://www.philstar.com/movies/2024/07/16/2370621/vic-sotto-returning-mmff-after-5-years-vice-ganda-film-also-selected |access-date=19 July 2024 |work=Philstar.com |date=16 July 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Villano |first1=Alexa |title=6 things you need to know about 'Himala: Isang Musikal' |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/theater/194079-himala-isang-musikal-fun-facts-aicelle-santos/ |access-date=19 July 2024 |work=Rappler |date=22 January 2018}} The play itself was based on the 1982 film Himala which starred Nora Aunor and directed by Ishmael Bernal{{cite news |last1=Soliman |first1=Michelle Anne |title=Himala: Isang Musikal dominates the 11th Gawad Buhay Awards |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/editors-picks/2019/05/30/233455/himala-isang-musikal-dominates-the-11th-gawad-buhay-awards/#google_vignette |access-date=19 July 2024 |work=BusinessWorld |date=29 May 2019}}

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.

Release

File: Isang Himala Padre Burgos Avenue waving5.jpg

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.{{cite web | url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2024/12/27/director-pepe-diokno-asks-for-support-as-isang-himala-down-to-9-cinemas-1719 | title= Isang Himala Director umiyak at nagmamakawa sa mga cinema owners dahil sa tatlo-anim lang sila. Pinull-out pa sa ibang ibang cinema. | website=PEP }} The film is also scheduled to premiere at the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Los Angeles on January 30, 2025.{{cite news|last=Martinez |first=Gavin |title='Hello, Love, Again' returns to LA as part of MIFF 2025 |url=https://usa.inquirer.net/163126/hello-love-again-returns-to-la-as-part-of-miff-2025 |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=December 31, 2024 |access-date=January 2, 2024}}

Reception

=Box office=

It is one of the lowest selling MMFF 2024 entry along with My Future You and Hold Me Close.{{cite news |last1=Mayo |first1=Stephanie |title=MMFF 50th Edition: Excitement builds as first half of finalists revealed |url=https://tribune.net.ph/2024/07/17/mmff-50th-edition-excitement-builds-as-first-half-of-finalists-revealed |access-date=18 July 2024 |work=Daily Tribune |date=18 July 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web | url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/590943/pepe-diokno-calls-for-support-as-isang-himala-is-down-to-9-cinemas | title= Isang Himala Director desperado na makakuha ng ibang cinema para mabawi ang lugi ng produksyon | website=PEP | date= December 28, 2024 }} The film was a Box office bomb due to failed to hit box office hit sales and one of the underrated film of 2024. 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.

=Accolades=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" \|+ {{sronly\|Accolades received by Green Bones}}
scope="col" data-sort-type="date" \| Year ! scope="col" \| Award ! scope="col" \| Category ! scope="col" \| Recipient(s) ! scope="col" \| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" \| {{Ref heading}}
rowspan="12" style="text-align: center;"\| 2024 ! rowspan="12" scope="row" \| 50th Metro Manila Film Festival \| Best Picture \| rowspan="2" \|Isang Himala \| {{won\|place=4th}} \| rowspan="12" style="text-align: center;"\| {{cite news \|last1=Reyes \|first1=Juno \|title=FULL LIST: Winners, 2024 MMFF Gabi ng Parangal \|url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/full-list-winners-metro-manila-film-festival-gabi-ng-parangal-2024/ \|date=December 28, 2024 \|work=Rappler \|access-date=December 28, 2024}}
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" {{small\|(by Juan Karlos)}} \| {{Won}}
Best Musical Score \| Vincent de Jesus \| {{Won}}
Best Visual Effects \| Engine Room and Green Maya \| {{Nominated}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

|+ {{sronly|Accolades received by Green Bones}}

scope="col" data-sort-type="date" | Year

! scope="col" | Award

! scope="col" | Category

! scope="col" | Recipient(s)

! scope="col" | Result

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Ref heading}}

rowspan="12" style="text-align: center;"| 2024

! rowspan="12" scope="row" | 50th Metro Manila Film Festival

| Best Picture

| rowspan="2" |Isang Himala

| {{won|place=4th}}

| rowspan="12" style="text-align: center;"| {{cite news |last1=Reyes |first1=Juno |title=FULL LIST: Winners, 2024 MMFF Gabi ng Parangal |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/full-list-winners-metro-manila-film-festival-gabi-ng-parangal-2024/ |date=December 28, 2024 |work=Rappler |access-date=December 28, 2024}}

Special Jury Prize

| {{Won}}

| {{Nominated}}

| {{Nominated}}

Best Supporting Actor

| David Ezra

| {{Nominated}}

Best Supporting Actress