Let’s be clear about this. “Isang Himala,” an entry in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, is not a remake of the original film in 1982. It is a film reimagination of the theater musical first staged in 2003 which was based on the film. 

An adaptation of an adaptation. If there are crossover artists, Ricky Lee’s “Isang Himala” is crossover material. 

The spirit and essence of the original script remains intact. In the arid sleepy town called Cupang there was Elsa, a 29-year-old woman who, after an eclipse, claimed to have spoken with the Virgin Mary. Thus began her mission as a healer. She became known far and wide, and while tourists came and Cupang became a bustling town, corruption found its way in and the town’s cultural spine broke down. 

But Jose Lorenzo Diokno—Pepe to those who know him and reinventor of this new iteration—had a few things in mind. From the original Ilocos desert, Cupang is transformed into a wasted mining community. Production designer Erickson Navarro and his team built this community, made of concrete, in a studio in Makati. It was lit and photographed by Carlo Mendoza.

Diokno, Navarro and Mendoza comprise the main creatives in last year’s award-winning “GomBurZa.” 

It was Diokno who approached Vincent de Jesus, who wrote the book and composed the music of the play, to pitch the idea of adapting the musical to film. It was easy to get Ricky Lee’s nod. (A sidebar: Another company also chose Ricky’s script to be made into a musical film. It even started its media blitz, capitalizing on Piolo Pascual who, it said, had agreed to do the project. But this is for another story.)

Then the casting. Since Diokno saw the musical on stage, he wanted the original cast (at least the version he saw) for his film. I am not sure how he was able to convince his producers to cover the cost, but “Isang Himala” features (or should I say boasts?) an all-theater-actor ensemble. Aicelle Santos is Elsa; Bituin Escalante is Saling, the adoptive mother; David Ezra is Orly, the video journalist; Kakki Teodoro is Nimia, who returns to Cupang to open a cabaret; Neomi Gonzales is Chayong, Elsa’s ardent follower; Vic Robinson is Pilo, boyfriend of Chayong; and Sweet Plantado is Mrs. Alba, the opportunist. 

Theater actors from various companies volunteered to appear in different roles—never mind if just drinking in the cabaret or walking in the town plaza, or even just part of the stampede scene. (Disclosure: I played a cameo as Mr. Chua, who is murdered by Pilo and Narding.) And surprise, surprise: National Artist Nora Aunor, the original Elsa, has a special participation. 

At the film’s premiere night last Dec. 19, theater people came in support of the film. Among those seen in the audience was Isay Alvarez, who played Nimia in the Peta (Philippine Educational Theater Association) version directed by Soxie Topacio.  Also present was human rights lawyer and Akbayan Partylist first nominee Chel Diokno, the director’s proud father. 

Audience and critics are one in praising the film and the cast. Aicelle had a more “career-conscious” take on Elsa when she was being filmed. Bituin’s aria as Saling is heartbreaking; Kakki lights up the screen with her Nimia. Ezra, first time to act before the camera playing someone behind the camera, is a delight to watch in his confession scene. So it was also with Neomi as Chayong.  De Jesus’ songs are so hauntingly beautiful that the actor-singers embraced the melody and allowed it to just flow through them. 

Film director Mac Alejandre, who has seen all iterations of the script, said “Isang Himala“ is “a showcase of the passion of theater actors… a testament to their dedication to their craft and commitment to the material.” 

After last year’s “GomBurZa,” Alejandre also said, “Isang Himala” is Pepe Diokno “on steroids.”

Film reviewer Fred Hawson wrote: “Ricky Lee’s religious debate of a script, with its biting sociopolitical commentary, remains as complex and thought-provoking… which is why this story has timeless significance.” 

And timeless it will be. In a scene where a folk belief on death failed to be realized, a character speaks of continuity: “Ibig sabihin, may susunod pa.” 

Ricky Lee says he has finished writing the sequel. Elsa lives.