Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo will be taking on the role of Elsa in the script reading of the classic 1982 Filipino film “Himala” that’s scheduled for August 9, Tuesday, at the Cinemalaya Film Festival, in commemoration of author Ricky Lee’s screenplay book launch.
Elsa was originally portrayed by national artist Nora Aunor, who delivered the iconic line: “Walang himala! Ang himala ay nasa puso ng tao!” The movie, which was written by Lee and directed by Ishmael Bernal, follows the story of a woman who claims to have gained the power of healing after seeing an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In an official Facebook post, Lee announced: “Judy Ann Santos will read the monologue of Elsa from Himala. She will be joined by Dingdong Dantes, Agot Isidro, Gina Alajar, and Aicelle Santos, who will read excerpts from the screenplays of Ricky Lee during the book launch of Mga Screenplay ni Ricky Lee Vol 1: Brutal, Moral, Karnal; and Vol 2: Himala, Salome, Cain at Abel.”
“This will be at the Cinemalaya Film Festival on Aug 9, 4-5pm, at the 3rd floor of CCP. John ‘Sweet’ Lapus will host the program. Everybody is invited. There will be a book signing afterwards,” he added.
Judy Ann then took to her Instagram stories to express her nervousness about being cast in the event.
“Kinakabahan po ako pero isang karangalan ang maimbitahan na gawin ang obra ng dalawang national artists (I am nervous but it’s a huge honor to be invited to do this masterpiece by two national artists),” she wrote, referring to Aunor and Lee. “Pagkatawid ko nito, pakiramdam ko.. ok na.. ok na ok na. (Once I get through this, I feel I will be okay… I will be very much okay.)”
(ALSO READ: John Lloyd Cruz Is Part of This Year’s Cinemalaya… as the Official Portrait Photographer)
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