Restoring classic films for today’s audiences is no small task, but thanks to Sagip Pelikula, ABS-CBN’s film restoration initiative, two beloved Filipino classics are now making their way back to theaters for a limited screening. From April 9 to 13, director Chito Roño’s Kailan Ka Magiging Akin and Mario O’Hara’s Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak will be screened in select Ayala cinemas across Manila, Pampanga, and Albay.
The screening, titled “A Rewind,” highlights the meticulous digital restoration of the two films by Sagip Pelikula. “Feeling ko ‘tong Sagip Pelikula, mahal nila ginagawa nila kaya nakakamangha ‘yung quality ng ginagawa nilang restoration,” said Roño in an interview with Rappler. “[Even for a 34-year-old] movie, [the] enhancement [made it look like] as if it was filmed two years ago.”
Roño’s 1991 film tells the story of Mariel (Lady Lee), an illegitimate daughter who is sold by her mother’s husband, Ben (Julio Diaz), to a child trafficker named Adul (Vivian Velez). With its series of unexpected twists, the film unfolds as a gripping melodrama laden with emotional intensity and heartbreak.
O’Hara’s film, on the other hand, is a drama that centers around playboy Nonoy (Miguel Rodriguez), who has an affair with a woman named Boobsy (Matet De Leon). Upon Boobsy’s death, their child, Baby Doll, is taken care of by Boobsy’s friends, Belle, Au, and Claire. Starring Nora Aunor, Gina Alajar, and Celeste Legaspi, Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak was first released in 1987.
Since its founding in 2011, Sagip Pelikula has restored over 200 cinematic titles, including the remastered versions of national classics such as Himala, Kakabakaba Ka Ba?, and Dekada ‘70. Through a meticulous and, at times, costly restoration process, Sagip Pelikula is able to preserve the rich history of Filipino cinema, ensuring that these masterpieces are accessible to future generations while maintaining their original artistic integrity.
