Why watch Himala: Isang Musikal again?

Aside from it's one of the greatest stories ever told in cinema, the iconic "Walang himala!" cry of Nora Aunor on screen, Himala: Isang Musikal is a masterpiece that still very relevant and moving. Combining the great achievement by Ricky Lee and music by Vince De Jesus, seeing it for the second time at Power Mac Center Spotlight, I was still in awe of the spectacular story and performance of this exceptional cast.

The mystical plot while you're immersed in the black box theater where you get to experience how Brgy. Cupang turned from "cursed to blessed" is a one-of-a-kind experience. The cast, led by Aicelle Santos as Elsa, (with Neomi Gonzales as Chayong, Kakki Teodoro as Nimia, Sheila Francisco as Nanay Saling, David Ezra as Orly, Floyd Tena as Pari, Vic Robinson III as Pilo) I was more drawn into the emotions and the story than the first time I saw it. Himala is something that makes you appreciate more and more every time you see it.

Sheila Francisco gives great emotions with just a stare of the eye. The depth of her performance is quite felt. Vic Robinson III is a stronger Pilo than of Sandino Martin and I think they have more chemistry than Neomi Gonzales.

 

Collectively, the whole cast did an amazing job reliving this timeless piece and still worth another award and should not be missed. The story needs to be retold again and again, to wake us from blind beliefs and put faith where it's due. And our Filipino artistry deserves your applause.

The Sandbox Collective's Himala: Isang Musikal is playing (September 20 - October 20, 2019) at the Power Mac Center Spotlight. Tickets are sold at 1000, 1300, 1700 and 2300 via ticketworld.com.ph

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Theater Review: Himala is a blessing

Sandbox Collective's Himala: Isang Musikal is not just a revival of an iconic film but a blessing. I was able to watch on a preview last February 9 and it's like living in a piece of heaven with the talented cast of Himala.

I must say that I am not fully aware of the story of Himala until last night. Power Mac Spotlight Center transformed into Barangay Cupang giving it an immersive theater experience. The wonderful set of dry twigs and the sight of poverty through their barong-barongs reminds us that heaven is not all something comfortable and good. It includes hardships that desperation that the neighborhood in Cupang has experienced.

Getting not too technical with just lighting and accompanied by a piano on the side, the cast and ensembles showed power that left me speechless on my seat and attentively listening on every song and script delivered. Aicelle Santos leading the cast as Elsa has proved more of herself as a sensational siren. From Katy, to Ang Larawan, she has has acting on the right track and owned the Elsa role.

Elsa's neighbors and so-called "believers" earned my cringe for their hypocrisy and exploits to their blessings. Congrats neighbors for being so effective. Alongside with her co-cast members, Bituin Escalante (Nanay Saling), Kakki Teodoro (Nimia), David Ezra (Orly), Neomi Gonzales (Chayong), Sandino Martin (Pilo) and all of the members of the ensembles is a powerful acting and singing collection of great talent. No lapels, no mics, just their amazing vocals could be heard by the angels.

Final Scene - Himala Isang Musikal

The final scene was unforgettable. Even though it may leave a messy stage after every show, I was also in delight to see a real shower that will give Cupang hope.

And seeing it is as special as seeing the Superstar Nora Aunor in the flesh.

Cast of Himala Isang Musikal with Nora Aunor and Ricky Lee

Himala Isang Musikal is a story by Ricky Lee with songs and lyrics by Vincent De Jesus, directed by Ed Lacson Jr. It runs from February 10-March 4, 2018. For inquiries and tickets, contact 0917.5545560, 586.7105, sab@thesandboxcollective.com, or Ticketworld at 891.9999.

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3 great Filipino films, restored for Cinema One Originals Film Festival

three among great Filipino films are carefully restored and enhanced to its better color and into digital format, for the Cinema One Originals Film Festivals 2012 running from November 28 - December 9 2012.

these three films: Genghis Khan, Oro Plata Mata, and Himala, will do their debut into digital and relive their glory in the silver screens of Robinsons Galleria and EDSA Shangri-La Plaza Cineplex.
opening the festival is Peque Gallaga's Oro Plata Mata which is considered his most significant contribution to Philippine Cinema and that's why he's very thankful for making it to the line up of this year's festival and having it restored to be seen by the present generation.

other than the three big films is a line up of films made by new breed of directors.

if you would like to check out the movies coming out this season, you can check the schedule below:

ROBINSONS GALLERIA MOVIEWORLD

NOVEMBER 28
5:00 PM OPENING COCKTAILS
7:00 PM OPENING PROGRAM
8:00 PM ORO PLATA MATA (restored version)

NOVEMBER 29
12:30 PM SHORT FILM PROGRAMME
2:30 PM Best of Cinema One Originals: KA ORYANG
5:00 PM Best of Cinema One Originals: DI INGON NATO
7:00 PM Premiere: MELODRAMA NEGRA
9:00 PM Premiere: MARIPOSA SA HAWLA NG GABI

NOVEMBER 30
12:00 PM Best of Cinema One Originals: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION FROM LILIA CUNTAPAY
2:00 PM ANG PAGLALAKBAY NG MGA BITUIN SA GABING MADILIM
4:30 PM BAYBAYIN
7:00 PM Premiere: SLUMBER PARTY
9:00 PM Premiere: MATER DOLOROSA

DECEMBER 1
12:30 PM MAMAY UMENG
2:30 PM ABERYA
5:00 PM MARIPOSA SA HAWLA NG GABI
7:15 PM Premiere: PASCALINA
9:00 PM Premiere: CATNIP

DECEMBER 2
12:00 PM EDSA XXX
2:00 PM CATNIP
4:00 PM SHORT FILM PROGRAMME
6:00 PM MELODRAMA NEGRA
8:00 PM PALITAN
10:00 PM SLUMBER PARTY

DECEMBER 3
12:30 PM ANAK ARAW
2:30 PM MATER DOLOROSA
4:30 PM MAMAY UMENG
6:30 PM PALITAN
8:30 PM BAYBAYIN

DECEMBER 4
12:30 PM SLUMBER PARTY
3:00 PM EDSA XXX
5:00 PM SUPREMO
7:30 PM ANAK ARAW
9:30 PM PASCALINA

DECEMBER 5
12:30 PM MATER DOLOROSA
2:30 PM MELODRAMA NEGRA
4:30 PM ABERYA
7:00 PM EDSA XXX
9:15 PM MARIPOSA SA HAWLA NG GABI

DECEMBER 6
12:00 PM ABERYA
2:30 PM BAYBAYIN
5:00 PM ANAK ARAW
7:00 PM CATNIP
9:30 PM ALAGWA

DECEMBER 7
12:00 PM CATNIP
2:30 PM SLUMBER PARTY
5:00 PM PASCALINA
7:00 PM ANG PAGLALAKBAY NG MGA BITUIN SA GABING MADILIM
9:50 PM SHORT FILM PROGRAMME

DECEMBER 8
12:30 PM PALITAN
2:30 PM MARIPOSA SA HAWLA NG GABI
5:00 PM BAYBAYIN
7:30 PM Premiere: GRACELAND
9:30 PM Premiere: JUNGLE LOVE

DECEMBER 9
2:30 PM MAMAY UMENG
4:30 PM GRACELAND
6:30 PM BEST PICTURE CATEGORY 1
9:00 PM BEST PICTURE CATEGORY 2

EDSA SHANGRI-LA CINEPLEX Cinema 4

NOVEMBER 29
2:30 PM Best of Cinema One Originals: DI INGON NATO
5:00 PM Best of Cinema One Originals: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION FROM LILIA CUNTAPAY
7:00 PM Premiere: ANG PAGLALAKBAY NG MGA BITUIN SA GABING MADILIM
9:00 PM Premiere: BAYBAYIN

NOVEMBER 30
12:30 PM Best of Cinema One Originals: KA ORYANG
3:00 PM MELODRAMA NEGRA
5:00 PM Special One-Time Screening: GENGHIS KHAN Restored Classics
7:30 PM Premiere: MAMAY UMENG
9:30 PM Premiere: ABERYA

DECEMBER 1
12:30 PM BAYBAYIN
3:00 PM MATER DOLOROSA
5:00 PM SLUMBER PARTY
7:30 PM Premiere: EDSA XXX
9:30 PM Premiere: PALITAN

DECEMBER 2
12:30 PM MAMAY UMENG
3:00 PM Special Screening: ORO PLATA MATA Restored Classics
7:00 PM Premiere: ALAGWA
9:00 PM Premiere: ANAK ARAW

DECEMBER 3
12:30 PM ANG PAGLALAKBAY NG MGA BITUIN SA GABING MADILIM
3:00 PM PASCALINA
5:00 PM CATNIP
7:30 PM MARIPOSA SA HAWLA NG GABI
9:30 PM Premiere: SUPREMO

DECEMBER 4
12:30 PM SHORT FILMS
2:30 PM PALITAN
4:30 PM MATER DOLOROSA
7:00 PM Premiere: HIMALA NGAYON
9:15 PM Premiere: HIMALA Restored Classics

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