Himala (Miracle) is one of the Philippine classic films produced in 1982 by the ExperimentaludCinema of the Philippines. Aside from several local and international awards given to the film, itudwas also chosen as the Best Asia-Pacific Film of All Time in 2008 by the CNN and the AsiaudPacific Screen Awards. The film narrates the story of Elsa, who induced the people of Cupang toudbelieve that she had witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary in the hill during the eclipse.udShe also made the people believe that she can heal those who have diseases, that have resulted toudmany hopefuls flocking on her house. But who is Elsa? This paper focused on dissecting theudcharacter of Elsa to present new interpretations of the film. Through Roland Barthes’ SemioticudTheory, the study determined different images of Elsa such as Elsa is a god-like figure; Elsa is audcurse, where the tough luck of Cupang came from; and Elsa is a religious prostitute that sells herudso-called miracle for those who are hopeless. Using semiotics, it can be said that the film showsudnot only the socio-cultural, economic, and political issues in the country, but the dismantling ofudpatriarchal society. The reading made to the character of Elsa shows the reconstruction ofudfeminist culture in the film, which proves that women are more powerful than men.
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