Morissette dedicates ‘Song of the Fireflies’ to musician parents

After bagging several major awards and the global premiere at the second Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Los Angeles last March, the musical film “Song of the Fireflies” returned to the Philippines with local screenings in cinemas nationwide starting June 25.

The film received the Best Picture award, Best Actress for lead star Morissette, Best Supporting Actress for Rachel Alejandro, Best Supporting Actor for Noel Comia Jr., and a Special Award at the MIFF.

Inspired by true events, “Song of the Fireflies” follows the moving story of Alma Taldo, the choir trainer who formed and brought the award-winning group Loboc Children’s Choir to the national and global stage with her sheer determination and magical singing talent. It is helmed by King Palisoc and produced by Culturtain Musicat Productions in cooperation with MQuest Ventures, the Quezon City Film Development Commission, the Quezon City Government and CMB Films.

In an exclusive interview with The STAR at the TV5 Media Center, Morissette expressed how ecstatic she is that the film will be screened in local theaters soon.

“It’s been a long time coming for our film. I’m not sure if people know but we initially started and shot the trailer back in 2019,” she recalled. Their original plan was to shoot the entire movie in 2020 but the pandemic happened. They resumed filming in 2022.

“I’m happy that it pushed through and Ms. Rachel and the producers still considered me to be part of the film as Ma’am Alma. The film went through a lot like there were so many obstacles and even submitting it also for other film festivals. But I’m so happy that finally it has gotten its recognition that I feel that it deserves, especially the story. And our kababayan can now enjoy to watch it here.”

The “Asia’s Phoenix” earned her first-ever Best Actress award by audience choice at the MIFF in her first major acting role as Alma whom she met back in 2019 while filming the trailer and again in 2022.

“She’s in her 70s and 80s now. She’s like my grandmother. She’s very soft-spoken and very down-to-earth. Very kind soul talaga,” Morissette fondly described Alma.

“And every now and then, she’d be present. Siya pa nangangamusta. And even at special screening, she would attend. I remember when we were screening it in Bohol, I was right next to her. Ibang kaba din yun because I was sitting next to the actual character that I portrayed.

“But I think the biggest thing for me, especially on the side of the film, one of my realizations playing her role is sometimes, tayo pa yung pumipigil sa sarili natin na gumawa ng something great. In the film, she doubted herself just because she was comparing herself to other conductors and teachers who are like na sinasabi na parang mas aral pa sila and siya widow siya. She just, like, she learned it lang on her own and she did it because she loves to teach the kids what she knows lang din.”

Morissette with co-star Rachel Alejandro and ‘Song of the Fireflies’ team at the 2nd Manila International Film Festival in Los Angeles.

Morissette further mused, “Sometimes we just have to allow ourselves to step outside of the box also and then really remind ourselves of the love that we have for family and the people who love and support us.”

She stressed that faith was also a big factor for Alma to believe and continue what she’s passionate about.

Although she’s a performer, Morissette also “gained greater appreciation for the art of conducting” while doing the film.

“It’s different if you’re a soloist as compared sa kasama ka sa group. I also had the opportunity to sing alongside the choirs, orchestra, and of course, I do also observe yung mga conductors. And it is a skill that has to be mastered.”

“I think that’s one of the things that I learned. I was able to appreciate more what they are doing because it’s not easy trying to conduct and be a leader of the team. The kids in our film, Loboc Children’s Choir, in any choir, they have to depend on their conductor. And so, nakakatuwa lang being able to really understand that and portray it in the film.”

In “Song of the Fireflies,” the Akin Ka Na Lang singer beamed that she was able to showcase her Bisaya roots and it was a humbling experience for her. As she elaborated, “I get to speak straight Bisaya with the kids, yung mga prod na taga dun din. It was very grounding for me to be able to do that film and to remind myself of my roots.”

It was also one of the reasons why she wanted to still act in the movie despite its setback during the pandemic. “Because I also wanted to represent Bisaya in that way. And I’m glad I get to do that through this film.”

Morissette dedicated the movie and her performance to her parents who mentored her as a child in Cebu.

“My dad is a musician, so he was the one who was very strict with notes. My mom naman when it came to performing, she’s the one who’s guiding me. I feel like working on this film like I really wanted to dedicate this film to them because they really (honed my skills) and I think they didn’t just do that because they are my parents but they also love music.

“I grew up in a very musical household so for them to see that their children also love music, I feel like they are very happy to have that and they’ve just been very, very supportive in my career and everything that I do now. And so, I dedicate it to them who took so much sacrifice for me to reach my dreams.”

She likewise named her mentors in the music industry whom she’s grateful for, including Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, among others.