Big challenge para sa Kapuso singer-actress na si Aicelle Santos na muling gampanan ang papel na Elsa para sa film version ng stage musical na Isang Himala.
Sa panayam ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) kay Aicelle via Facebook Messenger last December 3, 2024, may kaba pa rin daw siya kahit na ilang beses na niyang na-portray ang role.
“It's always an honor and a blessing to be doing this role again.
"Kinabahan ako, to be honest, when I learned that we're filming it.
"At around eight months postpartum, I felt I wasn't yet ready vocally, physically and mentally.”
Read: Aicelle Santos unknowingly moved Miss Saigon composer to tears during audition
AICELLE SANTOS'S PREPARATIONS FOR ISANG HIMALA
Nanganak si Aicelle sa second baby nila ni Mark Zambrano noong January 2024, kaya noong nalaman niya ang project, agad niyang sinumulan ang kanyang preparations.
“I really prepared for this one, physically. I got back into shape and had voice lessons.
“Recreating and finding Elsa again meant digging deeper into the character, bringing in my new experiences in the last five years to the character of Elsa.”
Isang sorpresa nga raw para kay Aicelle ang pagpasok ng pelikula bilang isa sa ten official entries ng 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival.
Pinaghirapan daw ng buong production team ang pagbuo sa pelikula at sa kakaibang vision ng kanilang direktor na si Jose “Pepe” Diokno, na kilala sa kanyang mga obra na Engkwentro (2009), Above The Clouds (2014), Kapatiran (2015), at GomBurZa (2023).
Ang kuwento ni Aicelle, “It was a pleasant surprise, hindi lang sa akin, but for everybody involved sa project.
“All scenes were filmed in a studio with massive sets. They built Barrio Cupang from scratch. Sobrang ganda!
“And Direk Pepe is very easy to work with. He's very collaborative.
"Napakabait at ang gaan ng trabaho sa set with him and his whole team.
“Pero bibilib ka talaga sa vision niya for the film. It’s something that everyone should experience in the cinema, especially this Christmas.”
Ang Isang Himala ay hango sa 2018 theatrical musical play na Himala, Isang Musikal na dinirek ni Ed Lacson Jr. at isinulat nina Ricky Lee at Vincent de Jesus.
Read: National Artist Ricky Lee and his 'love story' with MMFF: "Dun ako nakilala na..."
AICELLE SANTOS HAS HIGH HOPES FOR ISANG HIMALA
Ang orihinal na Himala ay isinulat din ni Ricky Lee at ginawa itong pelikula ng Experimental Cinema of the Philippines (ECP). Si Superstar Nora Aunor ang gumanap bilang Elsa at Ishmael Bernal ang direktor.
Naging official entry ang Himala sa 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival at naiuwi ito ang siyam na awards, kasama na rito ang Best Film, Best Director, at Best Actess.
Kasabay ng Isang Himala sa MMFF na magbubukas on December 25 ang iba pang big movies with big stars tulad ng And The Breadwinner Is..., Green Bones, The Kingdom, Strange Frequencies, Espantaho, Hold Me Close, My Future You, Topakk, at Uninvited.
Ano sa tingin ni Aicelle ang chances ng Isang Himala sa box-office and at the awards?
Aniya, “I think we offer something unique for the viewers of MMFF.
“Isang Himala has historical and cultrural significance. Plus we're the only musical among the entries. We have high hopes for the film.”
At gusto rin ni Aicelle na suportahan ng marami ang lahat ng official entries para masaya ang lahat ng film producers nq sumali.
“At totoong napakaraming magagandang pelikula ngayon.
“Sana tangkilikin ng viewers ang lahat ng entries. Buhay na buhay ang pelikulang Pilipino!”
Will Isang Himala duplicate the victory of Ang Larawan na nanalong Best Picture and Best Actress sa MMFF 2017?
Tugon ni Aicelle,“Kung kami ay gagawaran, ay malaking biyaya.
“Ngunit para sa akin, nanalo na kami dahil sa pagkakataong maisapelikula ito muli para sa bagong henerasyon ngayon.”
AICELLE SANTOS'S FAMILY
Sa kabilang dako, tila mas priority na ni Aicelle ang kanyang family.
Sambit niya, “Napakasarap maging nanay nina Zandrine and Zemira. They're both joy givers and big blessings to us.
“Yes, family is my priority but i'm very open to projects that can have me balance work and personal life.
“Miss ko na rin mag-perform on stage. Singing is a big part of who I am today. Kaya I hope to do more in 2025.”
AICELLE SANTOS ON GERALD SANTOS
Tinanong din si Aicelle kung anong suporta ang binigay niya sa kanyang ka-batch sa Pinoy Pop Superstar season two na si Gerald Santos after nitong magsalita na naging biktima siya ng sexual abuse?
Ayon kay Aicelle, naggawa namam daw niyang mag-reach out kay Gerald nung magsalita na ito sa pinagdaanan niya.
“Gerald is a really good friend. Parang kapatid ko na rin iyan dahil sa pinagsamahan namin noon sa Pinoy Pop Superstar in 2005.
“Yes, I reached out to him to let him know na nandito lang ako para sa kanya.”
Nagkasama rin sina Aicelle at Gerald sa Miss Saigon UK Tour in 2018 kunsaan ginampanan ni Aicelle ang role na Gigi van Tranh, habang si Gerald naman gumanap bilang si Thuy.