"Himala" - CNN APSA Viewers Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of all Time

The 1982 film, Himala - which starred the country's superstar Nora Aunor, and directed by the late great Philippine National Artist, Ishmael Bernal - was voted as the Best Asia -Pacific film of all time by thousand of film fans around the world at www.cnn.com/thescreeningroom.

Himala tells the story of Elsa, a barrio lass whose visions of the Virgin Mary changed her life and caused hysteria in a poor, isolated village. The film is centered on the issues of religious faith and faithlessness. [Source: wikipedia ]

Aside from being a box-office hit in its day, the movie garnered prestigious awards and accolades because of its superb portrayal of the harsh social and cultural conditions that people in third world countries endure.

This is a breath of fresh air for the country's movie industry that seems to be on the verge of downfall because of superior foreign films and piracy.