Aicelle Santos avoids comparison to Nora Aunor in 'Isang Himala'
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Aicelle Santos admits playing the role of Elsa in the Metro Manila Film Festival film Isang Himala is a big shoe to fill.
It was first portrayed by the Superstar and National Artist Nora Aunor in the 1982 film Himala. Directed by Ishmael Bernal, the movie earned the Best Movie and Best Actress award for Nora during the 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
To avoid comparison, Aicelle made sure she did not base her portrayal on Nora's performance.
“Sa tingin ko po hindi maganda, as an actor, na yun ang pagbasehan ko, kung ano ang ginawa nang nauna sa iyo. Kaya lagi kong sinasabi na balikan ang script, balikan ang karakter, balikan ang mga kaeksena mo dahil yun ang bubuo ng kuwento,” she told the media during the grand launch of Isang Himala held recently.
Meanwhile, this is actually the second time Aicelle portrays the character of Elsa. She already appeared as Elsa in its musical adaptation titled Himala: Isang Musikal in 2018.
“Na-pressure po ako kung paano ako magpapayat. Noong nabalitaan ko po ito kasi galing ako sa panganganak. Yun talaga ang pressure ko, ang babaw 'no?” Aicelle said in jest when asked if there's a pressure in reprising her role.
To avoid getting pressured, Aicelle said, “Katulad ng musikal, ang pagganap ko sa role na ito ay totoong malaking shoes to fill. But I always go back to the script. I always go back to who Elsa. Marahil iba ang naging interpretasyon ni Ate Guy [Nora]. Marahil magiging iba rin po ang interpretasyon namin ngayon dahil nanggaling kami from five years ago. Sabi nga namin, after five years, parang marami kaming baon pa. Kaya kahit kami, bawat isa sa amin, ay excited kung paano namin ito maipapakita sa pelikula.”
Although she has done this several times on stage, Aicelle admits they needed to make some adjustments for the movie version.
“It's really different kapag nandiyan na ang camera at kitang-kita na ang pores namin. Kitang-kita na ang mga detalye--ang pakunot ng noo, pag-iyak mo. Ang mga detalyeng ito kasi hindi agad nakikita sa teatro. This time, how many times more, ten times more,” she said.
The Kapuso singer-actress further explained: “Kung ano ang kaibahan sa musical noon at dito sa pelikula? Noong musical kasi, wala kaming mga lapel, at boom mic lang. So, sa musical, sinabihan kami na kumanta na hanggang marinig ng tao na nasa pinakadulo.
“Sa film naman, tinanong namin si Direk Pepe [Diokno], coming from theatre, na alam mong medyo malaki ang mga mata namin, naka-project ang singing… Pero dito sa pelikula, naku-conscious kami sa camera. So, sabi ni Direk Pepe, 'Sino ba ang kausap mo? Sisigawan mo ba ang kausap mo kapag magkaeksena kayo?' So you stick to your truth. You stick to the story, the message, of the film.”
Aicelle hopes many moviegoers will watch Isang Himala in the 2024 MMFF.
“Hindi lamang po ito for entertainment. Ito rin po ay kapupulutan ng aral. Maraming aral na ipapaalala sa atin ng pelikulang ito. At siyempre, mamamangha tayo sa husay at galing ng talentong Pilipino.”
Meanwhile, Aicelle said Isang Himala also signals her return to showbiz after taking a break because of her second pregnancy.
“I am open to work. Itong Himala ay naging hudyat na rin ng aking pagbabalik-trabaho,” she concluded.
Meanwhile, here are some snaps from the grand launch of Isang Himala:
