Singer and now actress Morrisette is excited and thankful for her forthcoming big screen debut with the June 25 showing of director King Palisoc’s “Song of the Fireflies.”
In the film, Morissette plays Alma Taldo, a public school teacher and devoted founder of the Loboc Children’s Choir, which she created from streetchildren in Loboc.
“Alma saw all the streetchildren just wandering in the streets, palaboy-laboy lang,” producer Girlie Rodis said. “Alma decided to organize them, put them together and teach them how to sing.
“She had no real lofty dreams for them becoming a world-class choir at that time. She just wanted to give the children something to do and gather them. All of those who joined, there were no auditions and no eliminations, just to create a fun activity.
“Because Alma had just a natural gift of teaching them, somehow, the choir got to be outstanding.
“There was a gentleman who helped them, Lutgardo ‘Gardy’ Labad, who was with PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association). He discovered the Loboc Children’s Choir and helped them to get recognition. He has a small character in the film, played by Paolo O’Hara.
“Equid Butalid, Rachel’s (Alejandro) character, noticed the choir and financed the journey of Loboc Children’s Choir to join the NAMCYA (National Music Competitions for Young Artists).”
“Ultimately, I think I’m just very, very blessed because I was surrounded by a team, cast and crew who are so supportive of each other,” Morrisette told ABS-CBN News. “Even the kids in the film were the actual Loboc Children’s Choir.
“They have no experience at all with acting, but they are performers, to say the least. They really did deliver in portraying themselves. The essence of this film really captured the essence of being Filipino.
“Our film is not a musical, but it is a film with beautiful music by icons of our music industry. We shared the musical side through this film. This is also about family, closeness to one another, family ties, resilience.”
“Song of the Fireflies” was filmed for 18 days in Bohol in 2023. The film was conceptualized back in 2019, with Morrisette in mind by the producers – Girlie Rodis and Celeste Legaspi – the team behind the award-winning “Larawan,” megged by Loy Arcenas in 2017.
“After ‘Larawan,’ we at Culturtain, we want movies about empowerment. I felt that through a public school teacher, no connection, no money and she creates this simply amazing choir," Rodis said.
“Because of the help of people, that’s what we want for Culturtain projects. We want projects that inspire and empower people. Despite that they don’t have anything, they are able to make something special if they are determined to do it.
“Alma Taldo is a beacon. She is now in her late 70s who walks the streets of Loboc in a duster and slippers. Everybody knows her.”
Original music was provided by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, Louie Ocampo, Raimund Marasigan, Jazz Nicolas and Krina Cayabyab. Ryan Cayabyab even penned a song, “Alitaptap,” which Morissette recorded for the film.
“This is just a simple story of the Loboc Children’s Choir,” Morissette said. “I hope that by watching the film, we are able to bring to the big screen, the essence of being a Filipino. Especially me, I am Bisaya, Cebuana, and Bohol is our neighbor.
“I feel so proud to get such a simple story of the Loboc Children’s Choir and showcase it on the big screen in something that is worth telling. This is my first film, so that alone is nerve-wracking because I’m portraying a real person.
“I had the best time in my first experience doing a film. I was very grateful to Miss GR (Girlie Rodis), Miss Celeste (Legaspi), Miss Rachel Alejandro and Sir Jeff (Remigio of MQuest Ventures) for trusting me to pursue this film after so long.”
“Song of the Fireflies” is bankrolled by Culturtain Musicat Productions, with MQuest Ventures in cooperation with the Quezon City Film Development Commission, CMB Film Services and Hartman Communications.
“From the very start, the most memorable and challenging part in bringing this project to fruition were creating the story for 'Song of the Fireflies;' and collaborating with director King Palisoc, screenwriter Sarge Lacuesta, Miss Celeste and Tita Girlie Rodis,” Alejandro said.
“We were thinking what’s the best way to honor the story and accomplishments of Alma Taldo,” Alejandro said. “How do we also tell the story and how do we present the world of Equit Butalid, who was the wife of the governor, the character I play.
“This is just a beautiful story of how the magical voices of the choir was brought to the whole world.”
Young stars Krystal Brimmer plays Jackie and Noel Comia portrays Herbert -- two members of the Loboc Children’s Choir.
So far, “Song of the Fireflies” was shown in Los Angeles, California and Houston, Texas. Morissette’s deeply moving performance earned for her a Best Actress recognition at the second Manila International Film Festival Audience Award.
In the same awards, Alejandro bagged Best Supporting honors and “Song of the Fireflies” won Second Best Picture and Noel Comia, Jr. was Best Supporting Actor.
At the 58th Worldfest Houston International Film Festival, the film bagged the Platinum Remi Award.
After the screening in the Philippines on June 25, “Song of the Fireflies” will be shown in Toronto, Canada in July.
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