Restoring classic Pinoy films

It was in 2012 when ABS-CBN started the laudable move of bringing back classic Filipino films to the big and small screens through its film restoration project that aims to help preserve the country’s cinematic legacy and cultural heritage for future generation. The first restored copy made available for cinephiles was Ishmael Bernal’s Himala.

Fast-forward to the present. From the 150 restored movies — a mix of Star Cinema blockbusters and Pinoy classics from circa ’60s to the ’90s — they now total to 185 and some of these well-loved classics are ready to be showcased on the different Kapamilya platforms and in theaters showing all-out support to the worthwhile endeavor.

According to ABS-CBN Film Restoration head Leo Katigbak, 150 classic films are ready to be shown this year while the remaining numbers are still in the process of color grading and quality enhancements.

“In 2012, we were averaging to about 30 to 35 films in a year kasi karamihan ng kopya doon ay hindi mahirap i-restore. They were done in three weeks or a month kaya ang naiwan na lang ay ‘yung mahihirap. Probably, we still have 10 to 15 (titles) more to work on for this year, and the (restoration) cost now is also getting expensive.”  

The cost for restoration depends on the condition of the negatives or master copy of a film. Those without severe damage, according to Leo’s estimate, could probably be restored for about P200,000 to P250,000 because the negatives were preserved properly. “But as the prints or film negatives become older like Sana Maulit Muli, it was already costing us P2M.” 

Older movies like Misteryo Sa Tuwa could reach as high as P5M to P6M in restoration expenses since the process can truly be sensitive and complicated. Actual restoration process is done either here with Central Digital Lab or abroad like in L’Immagine Ritrovata, Italy or at Kantana Film Institute in Thailand or India. Captain Barbell and Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo were among those restored copies done in Kantana.

Leo also said that the Kapamilya network is making an effort to bring old movies closer to today’s youth through its campaign Sagip Pelikula. It gives millennials the opportunity to learn about cinematic masterpieces of yesteryear.

“I think the greatest disservice we can do to future generations is not providing them the means to remember and appreciate the past. We have a rich cinematic legacy that is at par with the other world greats and we owe it to those creators to preserve and honor their work, so that future generations can learn and be proud of them.”

Film showings were held in different schools as part of introducing classic films to today’s youth. A movie like the great Gerry de Leon’s Banaue does not only reintroduce Nora Aunor to new audiences, it also brings them to the Philippines at the dawn of history.

Leo recalled how students during school tours would blurt out comments whenever they see veteran actors still in their younger years in classic movies. “They would say, ‘O, wow si Eddie Garcia pala ‘yan.’ Or ‘Maganda o gwapo pala talaga sila.’ Mga ganun, na nakikita nila.”

There’s also a sense of fulfillment whenever students would come up to him after the showing of restored films and thank him for presenting old movies. “They even thank us on social media. It’s a validation that we’re doing something really worthwhile.”

Last June 16, Sagip Pelikula was awarded an International Gold Quill by the International Association of Business Communicators in Vancouver, Canada. It was the second time for the said campaign to have received an award.

“The first time was six years ago when we were nominated with another Filipino company. This time, no other Asian countries received an award of excellence from them. Other recipients were from the UK, Canada and the US so it’s really an honor to be recognized along with much bigger companies.

Apart from school tour screenings and theatrical showings, restored movies that are now in digital form are now available on various Kapamilya platforms — on free TV, cable channels Cinema One and Jeepney TV — as well as on iTunes. The films also gained recognition abroad and received invitations to participate in film festivals in Italy, Germany and Japan.

The ABS-CBN Film Restoration team continues to take steps in reintroducing classic films by showing more of them as soon as it opens its dedicated theater at Greenbelt mall in partnership with the Ayala Malls. Leo revealed that they are now in the process of scanning several LVN classics like Ibong Adarna, Biyaya ng Lupa, Malvarosa and Anak Dalita.

Meanwhile, restoration is also underway for the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines’ Misteryo sa Tuwa and Soltero, Ishmael Bernal’s Tisoy, Peque Gallaga’s Bad Bananas sa Puting Tabing, Perafilms’ Mga Bilanggong Birhen, Danny Zialcita’s Tinimbang ang Langit, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna’s Saan Ka Man Naroroon, among others.