#ThrowbackThursday: Original ‘Cedie’ Tom Taus Jr. launches digitally-restored film

MANILA, Philippines — If you are a Filipino in your early 30s, chances are you know who Cedie is.

Funny if not because he was one of the most popular Japanese anime characters of our childhood. At the time when television dictates the course of pop culture, Cedie was already making a name.

The era of early 1990s also popularized “Princess Sarah,” “Nobody’s Boy: Remi,” “Dog of Flanders,” and “The Twins of Destiny” (adapted as “Julio at Julia: Kambal ng Tadhana” via ABS-CBN) to name a few. As kids back then, these were the animated TV series we were so inadvertently wired and addicted to. Simple happiness literally meant binge-watching on them during summer breaks.

Released in January 10, 1988, “Little Lord Fauntleroy” successfully became a runway hit in the Philippines and later on was adapted into a feature-length, live-action film by Star Cinema as “Cedie: Ang Munting Principe.” The adaptation starred former child actor turned disk jockey Tom Taus Jr. as Cedie.

After 21 years, Cedie was digitally restored and remastered via ABS-CBN’s Film Restoration project. Leo Katigbak, who heads the network’s Film Archive and Restoration, had always been vocal about the importance of restoring and preserving classic films, especially those that were greatly engraved in our childhood. Through this project, today’s young generation will have better appreciation of the classic Filipino films that have cultural significance more than just being nostalgic.

To commemorate these classic films, the ABS-CBN Film Archives, in partnership with Yey Channel and Kidzania Manila, rallied together the original cast of “Cedie”: 2016 Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Jaclyn Jose, veteran film and TV actor Ronaldo Valdez, and former child actor and now an international DJ Tom Taus Jr.—as a special treat to ABS-CBN’s Integrated Public Service’s beneficiaries who were invited at the special screening last Saturday, November 4.

In an interview, Ronaldo Valdez shared: “Sobrang nakakatuwa na pinalabas ulit itong movie namin, ang ganda pala talaga. And I really hope the kids of today will be able to appreciate these classic Filipino films now that they’ve been restored for better visual and audio quality.”

The 69-year old actor—who still looks dashing as he was when he played the role of Earl of Durin Court and Cedric’s estranged grandfather—could not believe that it has been two decades since they filmed the movie. Valdez and his co-actors were very excited and happy that Cedie was among the classics that were restored as it is one of those Pinoy movies that really upheld certain values which they felt could positively affect how the young generation sees the local film industry.

“Seeing the movie again after a long time brought old but really good feelings. I was extremely lucky to be part of such powerhouse cast and of course a movie that’s been part of everyone’s childhood. And we were able to go to Spain as well, which was a beautiful trip that I will never forget,” said Taus.

Though he is rarely seen on TV, Tom is living the dream as he is quite busy rocking super clubs and international music fests these days with his dance music and live percussion performances. After migrating to the United States, he began his music career and later on moved back to the Philippines with his sister. Taus will be performing at the Nueva Mundo Music Festival this coming November 25.

Award-winning actress Jaclyn Jose, who played Taus’ mother in the movie, was also in absolute delight after watching Cedie again and getting reunited with Valdez and Taus. “If given the chance, yes definitely! Gusto ko ulit magkaroon ng ganitong project. This movie is really close to my heart. Halos magkasing edad lang si Andi (Eigenmann) and Tom noong ginawa naming ang movie na ito, and I even brought her sa set,” said Jose.

The other restored ‘90s films scheduled to be unveiled later this month are “Princess Sarah,” “Kokey,” and one of Peque Gallaga’s best family-fantasy-adventure films of all time, “Magic Temple.”

So far, the ABS-CBN Film Archives’ efforts to restore these films have received nothing but praises and positive feedback since it really focuses on preserving and promoting Filipino film heritage. The men and women who worked tirelessly and have dedicated their art and craft of filmmaking will not go unnoticed. This will ensure that our beloved classic films last long after the celluloid on which they were captured fades and decays; to be passed on to future generations.