HIMALA by Ricky Lee

5. Aling Saling - Vangie Labalan

A. Synopsis

6. Chayong - Laura Centeno

The film is set in the sleepy, dry town of Cupang

(actually shot on location in Ilocos Norte). The
locals believe the drought to be a curse placed on
them for driving away a leper. However, after Elsa
(Nora Aunor) claims to see an apparition of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, the sad, forgotten town is
consumed
with
commercialism
and
exploitation. Elsa mysteriously acquires healing
powers and the whole village becomes a bustling
venue for mass-produced statues of saints, tours,
bottles of miraculous water, and souvenir T-shirts.
Hundreds of people come to see her: from
overweight
matrons
in
fancy
cars
to
undernourished beggars and countless sick people
with diseased and malformed bodies.
There are two subplots. The first is the
homecoming

of

Elsa's

close

friend

(Gigi

Dueas), who is labeled the town's harlot. The

second subplot revolves around a cynical film
director (Spanky Manikan), who is obssessed
with filming Elsa's healing sessions. In the process,
he unknowingly films a dark secret about Elsa,
which leads to the suicide of her elder sister.
Meanwhile, Elsa herself is thoroughly exploited and
the course of her life is manipulated beyond her
control. The film's most memorable line comes
when Elsa finally yells to a crowd of people
"Walang himala! Ang himala ay nasa puso ng
tao...ang himala ay nasa puso nating lahat!"
(There is no miracle! The miracle is in the heart of a
person...the miracle is in all our hearts!)

B. Cast

7. Sepa - Ama Quiambao

8. Baldo - Ben Almeda
9. Igme - Cris Daluz
10. Mrs. Gonzalez - Aura Mijares
11. Priest - Joel Lamangan
12. Bino - Ray Ventura
13. Pilo - Crispin Medina
14. Chief of Police - Tony Angeles
15. Mayor - Joe Gruta
16. Bella - Estela de Leon
17. Narding - Lem Garcellano
18. Lucio - Cesar Dimaculangan
19. Lolo Hugo (Blind Man) - Mahatma Canda

C. Production
1. Direction: Ishmael Bernal
2. Story/Screenplay: Ricky Lee
3. Cinematography: Sergio Lobo
4. Music: Winston Raval
5. Editing: Ike Jarlego, Jr.
6. Sound engineer: Vic Macamay

1. Elsa - Nora Aunor

7. Production design: Racquel Villavicencio

2. Mrs. Alba - Veronica Palileo

8. Art directors: Dennis Cyd, Benjie Garcia and

3. Orly - Spanky Manikan

4. Nimia - Gigi Dueas

Bing Fabregas
9. Executive producer: Charo Santos-Concio

10. Producer: Bibsy N. Carballo

11. Associate producer: Trina N. Dayrit
12. Production manager: Herman Robles
13. Associate director: Warlito M. Teodoro
14. Casting and Crowd Director: Joel

--------------------------------------------------------------TEXTURED DISCUSSION:
PUTTING SPIRITUALITY TO THE TEST

Lamangan
D. Note:

Existentialism, according to Jean Paul

Sartre:
The categorical denial of God and of
all spiritual reality.
There are two kinds of existentialist: theist
and atheist.