NATIONAL ARTIST NORA AUNOR HAS 'SPECIAL PARTICIPATION' IN MMFF FILM 'ISANG HIMALA'

The lead actress of the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) official entry "Isang Himala," Aicelle Santos, had the pleasure of meeting National Artist Nora Aunor long before filming the movie musical.

- CHARMIE JOY PAGULONG

She was ecstatic when she was first introduced to the "Himala" star during the run of the 2018 stage musical adaptation.

In both the current film and the previous theater production, Aicelle portrays the iconic role of Elsa, originally played by Nora in the 1982 classic "Himala," directed by Ishmael Bernal.

The singer-thespian recalled to The STAR how the Superstar reacted after watching the show. "I remembered after the show, she hugged us and naalala ko nangingilid yung luha niya. And then magkahawak kami ng kamay in photos. So that's my receipt.

"And then she said, 'Nanumbalik sa akin ang panahon na ginagawa ko yung 'Himala.' I took that as a sign that she liked the staging back then. She was all smiles. We were nervous at that time, especially me. When I learned that Ms. Nora Aunor would watch our staging, I didn't feel like going on stage, but I think we delivered."