Some stories are shared to inspire. Others are tucked away, lost to the folds of time. But there are those rare narratives that demand to be told over and over again—stories that resonate deeply, reminding us of our shared humanity, the histories we struggle to preserve, and the enduring truths they reveal.
These stories keep us human. They weave our individual lives into a collective tapestry, connecting our hopes, dreams, and triumphs—including the miracles we so wished to happen. This December 25, singer and actress Aicelle Santos and award-winning director Pepe Diokno present a fresh retelling of a tale that has long illuminated the Filipino soul. Himala, the cinematic masterpiece that transformed Philippine cinema, returns to confront the unchanging realities of faith, resilience, and community amidst turmoil.
This collaboration breathes new life into a timeless story, a testament to the enduring power of faith, art, and the courage to reflect on the truths of our society.
Defining Moments with Aicelle Santos
Breathing life into characters through her powerful and soulful voice, Aicelle Santos has captured audiences on local and international stages alike. From playing Gigi in Miss Saigon at London’s West End to starring as Aileen in Rak of Aegis, Perla in Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, and Elsa in Himala: Isang Musikal, Aicelle has built a body of work that speaks of both depth and range. Now, with Isang Himala being adapted for film, Aicelle reflects on the milestones that have shaped her artistry.
“From the singing contest to the trio [La Diva] to different roles I did in musical theater to going abroad for ‘Miss Saigon,’ the ‘Himala: The Musical’ back in 2018-2019, I think, this, our film, is another big milestone that I am so grateful of having,” she shares warmly.
Although Himala: Isang Musikal is not her first foray into a musical drama on film—she previously starred in Ang Larawan in 2017—Aicelle credits her earlier roles for helping her grow into the performer that she is now. “I never imagined myself really acting,” she admits. “I was first and foremost a singer. So my first project in musical theater was a defining moment for me. Sabi ko, ‘I can act pala’.”
Musical theater brought her joy she hadn’t expected, offering something beyond her experience in television. “Kasi, singing on TV is different. Now, you have the audience right there in front of you, reacting right away. Kung anuman ang itapon mo sa kanila, they get to laugh with you. They get to cry with you.”
Returning to film, Aicelle approaches this medium as a new chapter in her journey. “There’s a big difference, but these are very nice learning experiences. Being in musical theater is having my character journey in a certain arc. You begin here, and then you climax, and then end. In film, one scene kailangan, maybe at least five times [you have to do it] because of five different camera angles. Sabi nga nila, kung kailangan mong mag-breakdown, kailangan mong gawin ng limang beses.”
Despite the challenges, she embraces the opportunity with humility and enthusiasm. Portraying Elsa, an iconic role immortalized by Nora Aunor, has taught her the importance of truly connecting with her character. “You have to immerse yourself,” she explains. The actress shares how important it is to do research about the characters and see at what level she can meet the role—bring her personal experiences to it.
Having been playing the role since 2018, she shares how it has helped her add another layer to how she brings the character to life—with more life experiences, particularly with the pandemic, her journey through motherhood, and all the happy and sad moments that she brought with her to the film, making Elsa more colorful and more interesting. “It’s not just you that’s growing. It’s also the role—you and the role help each other be more than who you are from yesterday and the years before that. ‘Yan din ang kagandahan sa teatro. Sa daming shows niyo na ginagawa, you have to discover sino ba si Elsa on a daily basis.”
Through the years, Aicelle has realized how important it is to be in the moment—to stay present in order to stay true to the character. This means going beyond surface level. “Alamin mo ang background niya, kung bakit ito ang mga salitang sinasabi niya. ‘Yon ang baon mo whenever you perform.”
Transitioning from singing on TV to performing in musical theater has not only deepened Aicelle Santos’s connection to her characters but also refined her singing prowess. She shares how, on TV, her primary focus was simply on sounding good. But in musical theater, she discovered a deeper dimension to performing. “Someone wrote this song because someone wants to send a message. There is a meaning to it. Musical theater taught me that you have to sing to tell a story,” she explains, reflecting on the kind of heart and effort required to truly bring a song to life within the context of a play.
However, these insights also brought certain challenges as she transitioned back into film. “When you are in musical theater, you tend to overdo things—like making your eyes bigger and maybe flare up your nose. ‘Yan ang una kong tanong kay direk. Mako-conscious ako sa pelikula,” she admits with a laugh. Fortunately, director Pepe Diokno reassured her with practical advice. “Whenever you do a scene and just talk to this person, do you shout at her? No, di ba? You just talk. So, that way, hindi ka mako-conscious,” he told her.
Buoyed by such guidance, Aicelle found joy in the collaborative process of making the film, which reunited much of the cast and crew from the 2018-2019 stage run of Himala: Isang Musikal. “Ang sarap-sarap ng naging filming experience namin,” she shares fondly, expressing gratitude for the camaraderie and support of her colleagues.
Like the “miracle” that transformed the town of Cupang in Himala, Aicelle sees every project as a God-given opportunity. “Isa itong himala. Isa talaga itong himala na dumating sa amin. We thought the musical was over. The next generation would maybe take over or redo this. But we are so blessed to be given this chance na isapelikula ito. Ika nga, immortalize in our generation.”
Aicelle is particularly grateful to share Himala’s timeless message with today’s generation, including Gen Zs. While the movie was first shown in the ’80s, its message resonates up to the present. “Kitang-kita pa rin siya natin sa lipunan natin,” she observes, underscoring the relevance of the film’s themes. She hopes that this classic story will reach new audiences—Filipino families who can ponder upon its lessons together.
Despite her many accomplishments on both stage and screen, Aicelle remains humble and grounded. For her, every project is a new opportunity to grow. “Never stop learning. Just be open to things. Open your heart,” she advises. Drawing from her own journey, Aicelle also shares wisdom for aspiring performers. She acknowledges how daunting it can be to venture into the unknown, especially without a clear guide. “Nakakatakot talaga. Pero talunan mo lang. Because there’s someone out there, really up there, to guide you,” she says.
Once an opportunity arises, she emphasizes the importance of giving it your all. “Perform like it’s your last. Because not everyone gets the chance to share their talent. Napakaraming magagaling na mga Pilipino ang hindi nabibigyan ng pagkakataon sa telebisyon o sa teatro. And there’s a reason why you’re on that stage—to share a message. So, share it with all your heart. That way, mas mamahalin mo ang craft mo at mas mamahalin ka ng craft mo.”
In an age where it’s easy to compare yourself to others and covet their achievements, Aicelle highlights the importance of finding your own purpose. “It’s hard to find your purpose in life. So, when you think you’re there, just do it. Do it good. Kung hindi man good ngayon, maybe tomorrow. Just go on. Tuloy-tuloy lang.”
Pepe Diokno on Inspiring Change Through Powerful Narratives
After last year’s MMFF success with GomBurZa, award-winning Filipino filmmaker Pepe Diokno returns to the festival spotlight with a heartwarming musical adaptation of the 1982 cinematic masterpiece Himala, originally brought to life by National Artists Ricky Lee, Ishmael Bernal, and Nora Aunor.
Lauded as one of the greatest films in Philippine history, Himala holds a unique place in the nation’s cultural fabric. Pepe breathes fresh energy into the story, transforming it from stage to screen. His inspiration stemmed from watching the 2018–2019 staging of Himala: Isang Musikal, which he describes as “the most emotional, visceral experience” he ever had in a theater. “I laughed. I cried. I got goosebumps. I left the theater thinking about the story. And it stuck with me through the years.”
The musical’s impact stayed with Pepe, shaping his artistic vision. As a workshop student of celebrated writer Ricky Lee, he further honed his craft, learning to draw inspiration from music, photographs, and everyday observations. Pepe shares how these creative exercises shaped his storytelling: “I keep them in like a note in my phone, and then it will sort of influence my subconscious later on.”
For Himala’s cinematic adaptation, Pepe and musical scorer Vince de Jesus made bold choices. The original musical featured traditional Kundiman instrumentation, but for the film, de Jesus shifted to rock musical orchestration, featuring percussions and electric guitars. “When I heard that, it just brought so many images to mind,” the director shares. “It changed the way we attacked the film in a sense that we wanted. This is an example of how the music really impacted the way we did the visuals.”
As a filmmaker, Pepe values collaboration deeply, a principle he embodies during pre-production. On the first day, he shares his interpretation of the story, going scene by scene to explain his vision. But his process doesn’t stop there. “Then after, I will listen. Because a lot of the time, a lot of the ideas are much better than where we started.”
Retaining the original 2018–2019 cast for Himala: Isang Musikal, Pepe leaned into their deep understanding of their characters, allowing their backstories to influence his directorial choices. “The first step is to set the course, and then the next step is to listen and be open. Generally, I choose people to work with based on their ability to disagree with me. I don’t like to work with people who just say ‘yes.’ I like healthy debates.” He believes that a lot of really good ideas can come from the clashing of many different ideas.
For Pepe, stories are more than entertainment—they’re the fabric of civilization. He emphasizes that stories form the foundation of a nation’s identity, recalling how the narrative of the three martyred priests inspired Dr. Jose Rizal’s novels, which in turn fueled the Filipino revolution. Pepe highlights how even small stories can ignite widespread change, spreading like wildfire. He believes that film, as the most modern and dynamic storytelling medium—combining audio, visuals, sound, and imagery—has the unique capacity to amplify these narratives, making them resonate even more profoundly.
Reflecting on his creative journey, Pepe credits each project with pushing him to his limits. “Every project has sort of brought me to the breaking point—and I think that’s what I look for in a project,” he says. “I had a teacher when I was in film school who said that with every project, you’re learning and relearning about yourself and about your film. And you’re breaking your old conceptions down and creating new ones. And that’s what I like about what I do.”
And Pepe sees unparalleled opportunities for budding creatives, most particularly in this digital age. “It is a great time to be a creative. I think the industry is growing—in a sense that there’s a bigger market for it now. So, if you feel like a calling to do the arts or creative field, even though it is hard, and though your parents may disagree, just stay in there. Just keep doing things. Start small. If you want to get into films, for example, you can start by making TikTok and YouTube videos and then just keep building your reel. Keep making mistakes until you finally find your voice.”
Finding one’s voice, Diokno explains, is about discovering what you love and standing firm in your choices. But like many others, the path will not be easy. “You go through years of that—years of like, beating yourself up, thinking that you’re not good enough, or that you don’t make the right decision,” he assures. “But it’s only through building a body of work and doing it over and over and over and over again and making the same mistakes and beating yourself up over and over again that you will finally get the confidence to make those decisions. So, yeah, just don’t quit. And don’t beat yourself up too much. Take care of your mental health.”
Truly, success isn’t something that magically happens overnight—it’s built through grit, patience, and the courage to keep showing up—even on the days when it’s hard. This is a truth both Aicelle Santos and Pepe Diokno embody as they bring Isang Himala to life on screen.
For Aicelle, playing Elsa has been a journey of growth, one where her life experiences, faith, and relentless effort have deepened her connection to the character. For Pepe, every project is a leap of faith and a test of resilience, pushing him to rethink, refine, and create stories that resonate. Their stories remind us that waiting for a miracle might not always be the answer—because maybe you are the miracle that you have been long waiting for. In the end, Himala teaches us not just about faith but also about how miracles happen when we take charge of our own stories.
Creative Direction & Photographed by Em Baun
Shot on location: In the Studio – Manila
Hair & Make Up: Jia Enciso Catu
Stylist: Janno Novenario
Video: Mary Jane Manglicmot
Shoot assisted by: Trillian Galicia, Junko Bartolo, Victoria Salvador, Sarah Niaga
Overall Coordination: Angel Altura | Niccole Mendoza
[…] Pepe Diokno returns to the festival with a reimagined version of the 1982 classic Himala with Himala: Isang Musikal—a film that breathes new life into the beloved tale of faith and miracles. Set in the fictional […]