Aicelle Santos recalls Nora Aunor encounter

Aicelle Santos plays the lead role of Elsa in the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival official entry Isang Himala. It is a musical film based on the classic screenplay by National Artist Ricky Lee, directed by National Artist Ishmael Bernal and starred National Artist Nora Aunor.

Aicelle, the Elsa of this generation, recalled her chance meeting with the original Elsa, Nora Aunor, during one of their performances of the stage musical version of Himala way back 2017 to 2018.

“Yes po, nanood si Miss Nora Aunor sa amin, at naalala kong niyakap niya kami, nangingilid ang kanyang luha. At may litrato ako, may ebidensiya, na magkahawak kami ng kamay, na kilig na kilig po ako. Ang naalala ko pa na sinabi niya, na nanumbalik lahat sa kanya, nung kanilang ginawa ang Himala. And from that, I took it as a blessing, as a yes, sa ginawa naming (Yes, Miss Nora Aunor watched our show. I remember she embraced me and she had tears in her eyes. I even have a photo as evidence of being able to hold hands with her. I was so thrilled. I remember she told me that she remembered everything about the role. I took it as a blessing that we had remade Himala),” Aicelle said.

Ricky Lee shared that Ate Guy is full support with this latest version of Himala and will be a surprise segment of the musical film directed by Pepe Diokno.

“Oo, talagang full support si Ate Guy sa project na ito (Ate Guy supports the project,” Ricky said.

“So, ano ba ang partisipasyon ni Nora sa Isang Himala? (What role does Nora play in Isang Himala?),” movie scribes ask Aicelle.

“Abangan! Hahahaha! (Watch out for it),” Aicelle added.

With her acting and rendition in okaying the iconic role, Aicelle revealed her process in studying the script.

“Doon mas makikita ng viewers kung sino ba talaga si Elsa.

“So, sa musical, sinabihan kami na kumanta na hanggang marinig ng tao na nasa pinakadulo. Sa film naman, tinanong namin si Direk Pepe, coming from theatre, na alam mong medyo malaki ang mga mata namin, naka-project ang singing… pero dito sa pelikula, naku-conscious kami sa camera (In the musical the viewers will get to see who Elsa really is. In the musical we are asked to sing so that we are heard by the last person in the audience. There’s a big difference acting onstage and acting for film where most of the time, our eyes are focused on the camera),” Aicelle said.

As for the guidance of direk Pepe, Aicelle is full praises for the filmmaker.

“So, sabi ni Direk Pepe, ‘Sino ba ang kausap mo? Sisigawan mo ba ang kausap mo kapag magkaeksena kayo? (Direk Pepe asked. Who are you talking to? Are you shouting at the person who is in the scene with you) So you stick to your truth. You stick to the story, the message, of the film,” Aicelle said.

Isang Himala opens in cinemas 25 December.