Himala continues never-ending journey

For a film that started its illustrious run in 1982, the ECP (Experimental Cinema of the Philippines) film Himala with screenplay by Ricky Lee simply doesn’t seem to run out of versions and remakes with the latest just recently shown at the PETA theater. It has had a radio serial on DZRH, a short film produced by Ramon Bautista, an English translation by Richard Bolisay and Jorge Arago, a version in English by the University of Wisconsin, a special collector’s edition of Ricky’s short stories and articles, inclusion in Si Tatang at Mga Himala ng Ating Panahon in 2009, a coffee-table book from ABS-CBN titled Sa Puso ng Himala in 2012, and a musical produced 10 years ago by the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

It was first shown at the Metro Manila Film Festival in 1982 winning nine awards, went to the Berlin Filmfest in 1983, bagged the Bronze Hugo in Chicago in 1983, was adjudged one of the 10 best of the decade (1980 to 1989) by the Manunuri Filipino Critics, chosen one of 10 best of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s again by the Manunuri, was voted Best Asia-Pacific Film of all Time by CNN in 2008, etc., etc.

At PETA last weekend, Touchworkx group and The PETA Theater Center observed the 10th anniversary celebration of the musical Himala and as we viewed its new form, we know it will have many more lives to live, go through many more reinventions. We predict a teleserye, a translation into French, Spanish and Chinese, a classical dance version and an animated film for children. Ricky himself would like to do a graphic novel and has already prepared a prequel. Who knows what else the future may bring.

We reminisce with Ricky with whom we had started on this exciting journey 31 years ago. Taking leave from writing, we spent three months in the deserts of Ilocos Norte as guardian of ECP’s venture into breaking tradition in movie-making. This was the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines, and to this day, its director general and founder Imee Marcos has continued experimenting with new film technology in CREAM (Creative Media) as the governor of Ilocos Norte.

Meantime, we continue being haunted by dreams of Himala we find we shall never be able to shake off. Every memory of the late director Ishmael Bernal, his best friend Jorge Arago who also died without finishing his chronicle on Bernie, would follow us. The CNN e-mailed us from overseas inquiring as to the whereabouts of the film as it had been nominated in Asia-Pacific’s Best Film for All Time. We call Ricky to investigate its credibility. Ricky was told that from 18 Asian countries Himala had won the search.

Ricky today is particularly excited over his participation as co-writer in the new production which he calls a concert musical. This is his first time to work on a libretto, which is a dream come true for him especially since the composer is one of the country’s best — Vince de Jesus. “Music,” he says, “is the root and the fruit of all creative work.”

After having been away from the film world for eight long years, Ricky is ready for more reinventions. He now says it is time to work on the long-delayed prequel to the story which Nora Aunor and he discussed some years back. The film starts with Nora as Elsa who did not die from the gunshot that triggered the stampede. Elsa, now old, has turned away completely from any mention of Barrio Cupang. She has a son, a blind product of the rape. Orly, the photographer who had recorded the rape of Elsa and Chayong in the apparition site had died filled with remorse by his act. His daughter, who grew up hearing nothing but Elsa from a guilty father, packs her bags and goes in search of Elsa.

At the same time, everyone’s favorite venue PETA has been slowly working on its own reinventions outside the traditional Theater Season. Dubbed the Theater Center Season, it offers the venue with all its facilities, its familiarity to audiences of the arts to outside productions. There are partnerships forged in many cases, direct rentals in some. There has been Agnes Locsin’s Ethno Dance show, Noel Cabangon’s Tuloy ang Biyahe, international pianist Ang Li and coming up from May 21 to 26, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art’s short course on Creative Musical Theater from the UK.

Watch final shows of Himala 10th Anniversary Celebration starting today through Sunday. For details, call Touchworkx at 0917-5379092, 0918-9005370, 09175765400 and PETA 725-6244.

(E-mail me at [email protected].)