ELSA REBORN: Aicelle Santos finds her footing in stripped down version of ‘Himala’ musical

Nora Aunor, despite her small stature, has left a gigantic impression in the Philippine cultural landscape. She has worn many hats, but it is her moment as Elsa atop a hill shouting "Walang himala!" that has cemented her position in the collective Philippine consciousness. One need not even watch the Ishmael Bernal masterpiece from 1982 to understand the reference.

For Aicelle Santos, the role of Elsa was once but a dream and when it was confirmed that she will be stepping into the Superstar's big shoes for 'Himala' the Musical, she understood that it will be the hardest role she will play in her lifetime.

"Itong role na ito, napakalaki. When I got the news, sobrang saya, sobrang excited, pero I gave it only three minutes. Kasi after n'on, natakot ako," Aicelle told the press candidly during the press conference for the musical on Tuesday.

She and the cast have only had four rehearsals and Aicelle admits that she's still in the process of meeting her version of Elsa.

"Sa totoo lang, ako bilang Elsa, hinahanap ko pa rin kung nasaan si Elsa sa akin," Aicelle said.

She added, "Maganda 'yong sinabi sa akin ni Sir Ed (Lacson Jr., director)...titingnan mo si Elsa na banal, 'di ba? So ang sinabi niya, 'Si Elsa, isa siyang tao. Hindi siya banal.' D'on mo siya hahanapin."

"Sana sa opening night, nand'on na siya," Aicelle joked.

Fresh faces for a fresh audience

It's safe to assume that the pressure on the cast is tremendous. This is the 15th anniversary staging of the musical, which premiered at the Huseng Batute theater at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. 

Director Ed Lacson, Jr. expressed confidence in all of the actors who were lucky enough to make it through the one-year audition process as they are "ready to take on the challenge."

The challenge, for all of them, is to share the enchantment they felt when they first met Elsa and the townspeople of Cupang. Lacson revealed that this specific staging is for people who have never seen the film, the musical, or the concert staged by the Philippine Educational Theater Association in 2003.

Lacson and executive producer from 9 Works Theatrical Santi Santamaria shared the same sentiment: "Each generation should have the benefit of watching this show."

Lacson shared that he first saw the musical as a sophomore in college and the awe he felt then hasn't been worn down by time — perhaps a testament to the talent of heavyweights Ricky Lee and Vince De Jesus.

De Jesus watched the original film when he was 15 and he told the press, "It's a film you can watch over and over...and every time you watch it, habang tumatanda ka, nag-iiba 'yong meaning. You have different concerns when you're 15, 21, 50...and like Ed said, it becomes more relevant as you grow old."

Letting the story, actors shine

Acclaimed writer Ricky Lee at the press launch recalled director Bernal's minimalist vision for the film and said that he felt comfortable in Lacson's similar take for this staging.

Acclaimed writer Ricky Lee reflects on the 1982 masterpiece “Himala” | @gmanews pic.twitter.com/bGD0jWEoVv

— Aya Tantiangco ???? (@ayaruim) January 16, 2018

Lacson revealed that there will be no lapels, no choreography, and the cast will only be accompanied by the piano. "This is a simpler version, but I hope it's just as powerful as other iterations," Lacson said.

"Hindi siya conscious effort to make it different, but really trying to find my own entry point into the material," he added and explained that he wanted to distill the essence of the story.

Aicelle, for her part, is also slowly easing her way into the character. "Sa bawat rehearsal, nabuibuild kung sino si Elsa," she said.

She added, "Ang ganda rin na nagwowork together 'yong buong grupo dahil 'pag nakikita mo kung paano umarte 'yong buong Cupang, d'on (ko) nakikita si Elsa,"

The audience will be somewhat surrounded by set pieces, providing an immersive experience. The decision to place set pieces on the sides was for practical reasons, but it also doubles as an invitation to be a part of Cupang and feel the residents' struggles.

The goal for the cast and crew is for the audience to meet characters, rather than just watch. In this way, sorting them into fixed designations of good or bad is rendered unnecessary. These are people who are just coping with life.

Lee at the press launch revealed that the word "coping" is actually the inspiration for the town's name. Cupang is coping. You learn something new every day. — LA, GMA News

"Himala: Isang Musikal" is part of Fringe MNL and is presented by 9 Works Theatrical and The Sandbox Collective. The show will run from February 10 to March 4 at the Power MAC Center Spotlight, Circuit Makati. Contact 0917 554 5560 for inquires. Tickets available at TicketWorld.com