By Jinky Marsh
The multi award-winning Filipino film Song of the Fireflies lit up Blacktown, New South Wales on the 22nd November 2025, Saturday at Hoyts Westpoint. Presented and organised by the Boholanos & Friends Incorporated, the event offered Filipino-Australia audience a chance to experience this moving origin story of the world renowned Loboc Children’s Choir founded by its passionate teacher Ms Alma Taldo in the 1980’s.
The special screenings were attended by the Philippines Consul General HE Charmaine Aviquivil, the 2025 Miss Philippines Australia Ms Patricia Ella Evangelista, community leaders and local film supporters.
“The film is our identity as Boholanos. It is a story of hope and resilience that from Loboc, a small town of Bohol, homegrown talents without professional education were produced to become a multi-awarded choir. Its significance is being able to be proud of our identity, culture and arts. Screening of this film is sharing our voice to Filipino-Australians. The character of Morrisette who played Alma teaches us to never give up, if there is doubt. Believe in the talent.”, Atty Jesil Cajes, President of Boholanos & Friends Inc. explained.
The 95-minute film starred Morrisette Amon as Ms Alma Taldo, Rachel Alejandro as the Choir’s patron Ms Equit Butalid and featured Noel Comia Jr. and Krystal Brimmer as young choristers Jackie and Herbert, respectively. Directed by King Palisoc with a screenplay by Angelo Lacuesta, the film has earned major international accolades at the Manila International Film Festival including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress. It also received the Best International Feature Audience Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival and the Platinum Remi Award at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival.
The Loboc Children’s Choir visited Sydney during its Australian-New Zealand Tour in 2015. It had two-night performances in July at the Greater Western Sydney Performing Arts Centre and at the Whitlam Leisure Centre in Liverpool.
“The Loboc Children’s Choir is a powerful reminder of the beauty of Filipino talent, resilience and community spirit. Their voices reflect not only musical excellence but also the heart and soul of Bohol. I am credibly proud to see our culture, our youth and our story being celebrated on a global platform. May their journey continue to inspire young Filipinos to believe in their dreams and inn the strength of their roots.”, Ms Glyssa Perez, Ms Bohol 2016 & Miss World Philippines-Tourism 2019 said.
