HIMALA by Ricky Lee

A. SynopsisThe 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 1. Elsa - Nora Aunor2. Mrs. Alba - Veronica Palileo3. Orly - Spanky Manikan4. Nimia - Gigi Dueas5. Aling Saling - Vangie Labalan6. Chayong - Laura Centeno7. Sepa - Ama Quiambao8. Baldo - Ben Almeda9. Igme - Cris Daluz10. Mrs. Gonzalez - Aura Mijares11. Priest - Joel Lamangan12. Bino - Ray Ventura13. Pilo - Crispin Medina14. Chief of Police - Tony Angeles15. Mayor - Joe Gruta16. Bella - Estela de Leon17. Narding - Lem Garcellano18. Lucio - Cesar Dimaculangan19. Lolo Hugo (Blind Man) - Mahatma CandaC. Production1. Direction: Ishmael Bernal2. Story/Screenplay: Ricky Lee3. Cinematography: Sergio Lobo4. Music: Winston Raval5. Editing: Ike Jarlego, Jr.6. Sound engineer: Vic Macamay7. Production design: Racquel Villavicencio8. Art directors: Dennis Cyd, Benjie Garcia and Bing Fabregas9. Executive producer: Charo Santos-Concio10. Producer: Bibsy N. Carballo11. Associate producer: Trina N. Dayrit12. Production manager: Herman Robles13. Associate director: Warlito M. Teodoro14. Casting and Crowd Director: Joel LamanganD. Note:

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