Himala(Starring Nora Aunor) by Ishmael Bernal Reaction Paper

Behind the Miracle

                Himala directed by Ishmaael Bernal, is one of the most successful Filipino movie both locally and internationally. The film revolves around a lady named Elsa, who was living in a rural area called Barrio Cupang which is believed to be a cursed land. Elsa had been a normal citizen of Cupang until she claimed that she saw the apparition of the Virgin Mary. Then, she heals the sick as the Virgin Mary told her to do so. During that very short period of time, the ignorant, innocent and conservative community of Cupang becomes urbanized and developed, but immoral. That kind of society continued until Elsa had confessed that everything – miracles, curses and gods– was a lie .

            Himala became historical in the movie industry primarily because of the genius mind of the  director, Ishmael Bernal. He clearly presented the Philippines, and the Filipino society emphasizing  women and how they are and should be treated, by showing small representations of them – the Barrio Cupang and its community. Women and their roles in the society – both dark and bright sides– are the foci of the storyline. Women, as depicted in the movie, are more pious than men but they can also be more ethically evil. Their capabilities to do good or bad depends on their environment and the things they are going through.

             On a feminist view of the movie, women are clearly shown as equally powerful to men on both economic and religious bases. Most of the Elsa’s “apostles” and followers are women. It might be criticizing the inferiority of women in most of the religions in the world. It is noticeable that most of the religious leader positions  worldwide is restricted to men which is being debated until now . On the other hand, we can see that in the movie, more women are economically successful than men. It shows that despite the physical weakness, women can be triumphant. It is totally different from how Filipino culture look at every woman– born to be a housewife. The movie tackles how cruel life is for women in the world especially in our country.

photo from : http://donrgonzalez.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html

               Himala made a big leap forward for the equality between every human. Bernal left us an idea that we must not make a division throughout our society. Both men and women do have strengths and weaknesses, but these must not be reasons to make a barrier between each individual.  Everyone is capable of doing great things, even the things that seem possible just by himalas.