“Asia’s Phoenix” Morissette is excited and at the same time thankful in her forthcoming big screen debut with the June 25 showing of director King Palisoc’s “Song of the Fireflies.”
Morissette plays the lead as music teacher and devoted founder of the Loboc Children’s Choir, Alma Taldo.
“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 said. “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 Morissette in mind by the producers – Girlie Rodis and Celeste Legaspi – the team behind the award-winning “Larawan,” megged by Loy Arcenas (2017).
Original music for “Song of the Fireflies” was provided by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, Louie Ocampo, Raimund Marasigan, Jazz Nicolas and Krina Cayabyab. Mr. C even penned a song, “Alitaptap,” which Morissette recorded for the film.
“This is just a simple story from the Loboc Children’s Choir,” Morissette said. “I hope that by watching the film, we are able to bring that to the big screen, the essence of being a Filipino. Especially me, I am Bisaya, Cebuana. Bohol is our neighbor.
“I feel so proud to get such a simple story of the Loboc Children’s Choir and to showcase it on the big screen is 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/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.
Rachel Alejandro plays Equit Butalid, the wife of Bohol Governor Rolando Butalid in the early 1980s. Although she didn’t always agree with Alma Taldo, their individual strengths and differences helped bring the Loboc Children’s Choir to where it is today.
“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,” Rachel said.
“We were thinking [of] the best way to honor the story and accomplishments of Alma Taldo,” she added. “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.”
Krystal Brimmer and Noel Comia Jr. portray Jackie and Herbert, two young 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, Rachel 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 was awarded 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.
The Loboc Children’s Choir, formed by public school teacher Alma Taldo, is composed of street children from Loboc.
“Alma saw all the streetchildren just wandering in the streets, palaboy-laboy lang,” said Rodis. “She 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 character, noticed the choir and financed the journey of Loboc Children’s Choir to join the NAMCYA (National Music Competitions for Young Artists).”
Added Girlie, “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.
“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 seventies who walks the streets of Loboc in a duster and slippers. Everybody knows her.”