Nora Aunor's 'Himala' voted as best-ever film in Asia-Pacific

Visitors to the online site of the US television network CNN voted “Himala” (Miracle) as the best film of all time in the Asia-Pacific. The announcement was made at region’s highest accolade in film—the Asia-Pacific Screen Awards (APSA)—for its Viewers’ Choice Award category held at the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia last November 12.

Prior to the online voting, CNN first came up with the top 10 finalists, a shortlist which was determined by critics, industry insiders, Asian film stars (including Bollywood’s Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai) and CNN viewers. The online poll commenced last October in a run-up to APSA 2008.

The 1982 classic bested other modern masterpieces and blockbusters from other Asia-Pacific countries like the Oscar-winning “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (China), “The Seven Samurai” (Japan), “Old Boy” (South Korea), “Pather Panchali” (India), “Gallipoli” (Australia), “Infernal Affairs” (Hong Kong) and even the animated flick “Spirited Away” (Japan).

CNN hailed Himala’s “austere camera work, haunting score and accomplished performances sensitively portray the harsh social and cultural conditions.

“Himala” was directed by the late National Artist for film Ishmael Bernal, written by multi-awarded screenwriter Ricky Lee and starred in by Nora Aunor.

Himala tells the story of Elsa, a barrio lass whose visions of the Virgin Mary changed her life and caused hysteria in the poor village. The film is centered on the issues of religious faith and faithlessness. In a notable line from the film, the character Elsa says: “Walang the third world endure. Himala! Ang himala ay nasa puso ng tao... ang himala ay nasa puso nating lahat.”

Aside from earning numerous awards here and abroad, the film was a box-office hit, earning an impressive 30 million pesos, becoming one of the highest grossing Filipino films in the 80’s.

Launched in 2007, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) are an international cultural initiative that acclaim, at a global level, the cinematic excellence and cultural diversity of the vast Asia-Pacific region. They bring together, in a unique collaboration, Atlanta-based CNN International (CNN), Paris-based UNESCO and FIAPF - International Federation of Film Producers Associations.