A scene from 'Isang Himala'
MANILA -- While supporters of other film entries are already celebrating victory, award-winning director Pepe Diokno is pleading for viewers' support as his Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 entry "Isang Himala" is losing cinemas.
In his most recent Facebook post, Diokno wrote, “Just got the heartbreaking news that 'Isang Himala' is down to 9 cinemas. Pero madadagdagan tayo ng Powerplant bukas! Please watch the film before it's too late, and please request the film from your nearest cinema if it's not yet showing in your area.”
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Prior to the premiere of "Isang Himala," announced on X (previously Twitter) that the film will only be shown in roughly 30 cinemas.
"Hope you can still give our film a chance, and if you like it, your support will help convince more cinemas to screen us," he said on December 19.
"Isang Himala" is a musical film inspired on Ishmael Bernal's iconic 1982 film "Himala," which starred Nora Aunor as Elsa. It also made its theatrical premiere as "Himala: Isang Musikal" in 2003, with Aicelle Santos as Elsa in 2018.
Santos also asked for support on social media.
“Ngunit sadyang kakaunti lang ang sinehan na nagpapalabas sa amin. Kaya bago pa mawala, unahin niyo nang panoorin ang 'ISANG HIMALA.’ Bubusugin ang iyong kaluluwa, tenga, mata at puso, at mag-iiwan ng palaisipan sa iyo, Pilipino,” she said.