MOVIEGOER: 'Isang Himala' wins praise from everywhere

BY NESTOR CUARTERO

Dec 26, 2024 07:52 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• If you go by Facebook posts, coming both from ordinary netizens and informed film buffs, Isang Himala has created its own great little miracle. 

Following the premiere of "Isang Himala" by Creazion Studio at SM North on Dec. 19, the industry is abuzz with stories about how beautiful, how wonderful, this re-imagination of the iconic 1982 film has turned around.

If you go by Facebook posts, coming both from ordinary netizens and informed film buffs, Isang Himala has created its own great little miracle. Those who have seen the film praise it for its soul, the stirring music, the deep emotions the characters and the story convey, and the lasting impact it leaves. Perhaps even the sense of nostalgia that it evokes. Three and more cheers go to its director, Pepe Diokno, who was named best director in last year’s MMFF for his work in Gomburza.

Based on the landmark film by Ishmael Bernal, Isang Himala is now seen through the eyes of Aicelle Santos as the new Elsa, the healer of barrio Cupang who becomes a national sensation after news about her capacity to heal people spreads like wildfire. Stepping into the   highly challenging role originated by            

National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, Nora Aunor, the singer-actress, said she and the entire cast were energized when the superstar embraced them after watching the play in 2003 from which the film is based. 

Nora Aunor is making a special cameo in"Isang Himala," which can be seen towards film’s end. Pepe Diokno said he didn't want to do the film without Aunor in it.

Pepe told ABS-CBN: “When she came in, couple of takes. Not just done, perfect. Watching her deliver, kung paano niya i-imbibe yung mga salita ni Sir Ricky (Lee), to see that process up close was just amazing.” 

Pepe also said, his goal is not to get awards, but to give the audiences a new experience.

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PASSERBY:

Equally getting good reviews are Green Bones, My Future You, and The Kingdom.

By far, it is said that all 10 entries in this year’s MMFF are quite good, a fine harvest of Filipino creativity.

Have you come across that story? The Philippines ranked third, following the United States and France, in a list of countries that loved to follow pornographic sites. Tailing us are Mexico and the United Kingdom.  

In closing, let me greet our readers here at Manila Bulletin with a Happy New Year full of blessings and more opportunities!  

Denise Julia shares her side on BJ Pascual controversy

BY CARISSA ALCANTARA

Dec 26, 2024 10:20 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• At the end of her Instagram story, Denise mentioned that she would speak to BJ personally about what happened. 

Denise Julia 

Filipino R&B singer Denise Julia is finally addressing the controversy between her and celebrity photographer BJ Pascual.

The controversy began when BJ mentioned that Julia's team tried to cancel their scheduled shoot the night before it was set to take place. BJ decided to call off the shoot himself and paid the cancellation fees, according to the celebrity photographer during an appearance on Killa Kush podcast uploaded on YouTube. 

Denise recalled on Instagram stories that her team had contacted BJ's team in May regarding a project. The "B.A.D." singer explained that BJ's team sometimes took a long time to respond, and ultimately, both sides could not reach an agreement on the budget.  

"Despite us following up many times and not getting replies for weeks at a time, we were patient and pushed back our deadlines to accommodate BJ's schedule [because] we knew he was booked and busy," Denise explained. "I had to move my release date because I wanted to respect the fact that he was working and he had a lot of things to do."

Denise also shared screenshots of her conversation with BJ's manager.

"BJ's team did not get back to us about this budget despite my manager checking in and following up to make sure that the budget is doable to begin with because we can't really have a shoot date without us being sure if the budget is even feasible for them," she said.

"Because on our end, we understand if this is not something that they can work with. We would've pulled back immediately already from the start if they had only told us that this is not doable for them, that's not the price range that they can work with. We will respect that," Denise added. 

The singer revealed that their initial budget of P650,000 was raised to P800,000 for the shoot, which included a music video. This was still less than the P1 million estimated by Pascual's team.

In the end, Denise explained that her manager was trying to "figure out ways to make [the shoot] work out for respect for BJ's team and their time and efforts" and said that her team didn't cancel the shoot.

"I know in the podcast they said I was the one who canceled the shoot, but in reality, my manager was still trying to make it work. He suggested pushing the shoot to a later date so that none of the team's efforts go to waste and also so that cancellation fees don't incur, but ultimately in the end, BJ's team, not us, canceled the shoot, citing the differences in our production processes," she said.

However, Denise took the blame for not reaching out to BJ after the incident happened.

"It was because I didn't know the extent of his frustrations until everything aired out on social media and it blew off of proportion. It is something that I will take with me as I move forward with work," she said.

At the end of her Instagram story, Denise mentioned that she would speak to BJ personally about what happened.