Local stars came together on Tuesday for a three-hour special featuring songs and stories from the legendary film Himala, as a way to solicit financial aid for displaced film workers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Believed to be as one of the largest streamed programs since the lockdown, “Gabi ng Himala: Mga Awit at Kuwento” offered soulful performances from artists who self-produced their scenes from their respective homes.
These artists’ interpretations of the original story have a way of connecting it to our present-day experiences.
“Himala,” the 1982 Ishmael Bernal film written by Ricky Lee, is set during an epidemic where desperate villagers cling to the promise of a miracle in the person of Elsa (originally played by Philippine Superstar Nora Aunor).
In an enduring film moment, Elsa cries out to the townspeople, “Walang himala! Ang himala ay na sa puso ng tao!”
The classic scene was performed as a monologue by different actors, directed by established directors, in the program that streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.
Marian Rivera, directed by her husband and fellow actor Dingdong Dantes, gave a stirring take on Elsa’s speech before the villagers of Cupang. In a second, more intimate treatment, Rivera made the confession as a frontline worker to her family through a video call.
Netizens can’t help but to stan the Queen.
https://twitter.com/maichard_nutter/status/1252716214331117569
https://twitter.com/abegail021207/status/1252593854592634880
https://twitter.com/HelenaLouise09/status/1252592330730647552
#Marianrivera really gave justice to the role
— Rosario L. Dela Cruz (@RosarioLDelaCr3) April 21, 2020
Marian Rivera Got Rave Reviews For Her Performances In #GabiNgHimala https://t.co/sBFsfGuPb1#MarianRivera#LockdownCinemaClub#RickyLee
— FilipinasInShowbiz (@PinaysInShowbiz) April 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/patentiro/status/1253112391228772352
#MarianRivera is Marian Rivera
— Rosario L. Dela Cruz (@RosarioLDelaCr3) April 21, 2020
Directed by Dan Villegas, Jericho Rosales’ confession as Elsa was meanwhile restrained and personal as he addressed the camera directly.
See his fans realtime reaction on his take on ‘Himala‘.
https://twitter.com/iannetapia12/status/1252592687171190801
Best Himala interpretation:
Marian Rivera1st runner-up: Iyah Mina
2nd runner-up: Jericho Rosales
3rd runner-up: Nadine Lustre #GabiNgHimala #WalangHimala pic.twitter.com/CkOejizvjK— migd (@mrkivndtrz) April 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/PatPatMoreno/status/1252610166123618304
Brilliance all over. Please watch and support. Special mention to the genius work of Lav Diaz, Jericho Rosales and Dan Villegas, and Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. #sagippelikula #lockdowncinemaclubhttps://t.co/DYVKruKDBc
— Andrew (@andreworocay) April 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/AltheyuhMoves/status/1252790767967277058
https://twitter.com/instantRBC/status/1252615326887370752
Nadine Lustre, directed by Sigrid Bernardo and Petersen Vargas respectively, also gave heartfelt interpretations of Elsa’s announcement. Elsa’s speech is pre-filmed, and she’s anxiously anticipating people’s reactions when it goes up.
And indeed, Lustre made a remarkable impression not just on her fans, but to the netizens as well.
https://twitter.com/ubemiles09/status/1252417888905859075
https://twitter.com/lurkingjadine/status/1252608151058169857
Nadine Lustre Grand Best Actress showed how great she delivered her diversity in acting. Her Himala monologue she started like a mini story she and ended with realization. She released her character as Elsa to the audience.#NadineLustre #GabiNgHimala https://t.co/x2cZZrb324
— Ashley (@ashley_draymin) April 22, 2020
GABI NG HIMALA, the joint effort of LOCKDOWN CINEMA and ABS-CBN Film Restoration has been a very enriching and surprising experience. I never had the opportunity to work with Nadine and I only knew Direk Petersen by reputation…
©️lpk325#NadineLustre pic.twitter.com/PFL3JDNvc5— leigh311.2 (@leigh3112) April 19, 2020
https://twitter.com/nomad_noname/status/1251880230119038976
https://twitter.com/chocolate4evs/status/1252616592963203073
backing out now. #NadineLustre showed us the right emotions needed 4 that scene. as direk petersen said, it didn't have 2 be that intense. so, there was not much drama, no shouting, not a lot of tears. her acting was a little subdued but, she didn't fail 2 show us a gamut of
— myOOPV (@myOOPV) April 21, 2020
