“Song of the Fireflies,” the musical film by King Palisoc and written by Angelo Lacuesta, was recently screened to Golden Globe voters and Hollywood film aficionados at The Aster in Hollywood.
The movie, based on a true story that follows a provincial teacher, Alma Taldo, who transforms the members of the Loboc Children’s Choir into an internationally acclaimed singing group from the rural town of Loboc in Bohol, is one of the international films vying for a Golden Globe nod.
Present during the screening were producer Girlie Rodis and actress-producer Rachel Alejandro, who both participated in a Q&A, moderated by TV host Jannelle So, after the screening.
Singer Morissette Amon, in her big screen debut, portrays Alma Taldo while Alejandro portrays Equet. Others in the cast include Noel Comia, Jr. as Herbert, Krystal Brimmer as Jackie and Chai Fonacier as teacher Baby.
The film recently won the Best International Feature Audience Award at this year’s Newport Beach Film Festival. It had its world premiere at the 2nd Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Los Angeles where it bagged the Best Picture Audience Award, among other awards.
It has been traveling around global festivals since, with a Platinum Remi Award from WorldFest Houston International Film Festival.
Alejandro said of its most recent award at the Newport Beach Film Festival, “For me personally, nothing has been more fulfilling than to see, firsthand, young Filipinos being inspired and delighted by our film. I am now based in New York, but on my brief trip back home recently, I had the pleasure of doing a Q&A for students of OB Montessori Center, my alma mater. It was a beautiful, full-circle moment for me. The kids were so engrossed in the story, cheered loudly for our teenage leads, Noel Comia Jr. and Krystal Brimner, and asked the cutest questions afterwards.
“I carry my late father, Philippine music industry legend, Hajji Alejandro’s legacy proudly within me. In my mind’s eye, as if it has already happened for real, I see clearly the Loboc Children’s Choir and our leads singing “Alitaptap” (Fireflies), created by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab and Sarge Lacuesta, with angelic voices on the Beverly Hilton stage of the Golden Globes, being broadcast all over the world.
“At this stage in my very long career, as a Filipino American, it has become my advocacy to shine a bright light on Filipino artistry, especially our music and powerful singing voices. Our voices are not just powerful because of our ability to sustain notes beautifully, but the way they can move people. That’s the magic you will find in ‘Song of the Fireflies’.”
The Golden Globe Awards will air on Sunday, January 11, 2026, on the CBS Television Network and will broadcast live from Beverly Hilton.
