ABS-CBN Film Restoration ends after 14 years, restores over 240 Filipino classics

Metro Manila, Philippines - After more than a decade of preserving Philippine cinema’s glory, ABS-CBN Film Restoration came to a close on March 31.

The initiative, best known for the Sagip Pelikula advocacy, restored over 240 Filipino films, some from as early as 1939, and reintroduced films with improved quality to the new generation.

Leo Katigbak, project head of ABS-CBN Film Restoration, confirmed the project closure and reflected on the team’s final weeks.

“April was mostly turnover and sampling the last works we completed as the final day loomed. Sadly, it is still a casualty of the efforts to close down the company in 2020 by a man who wrought havoc and killed dreams as well,” Katigbak said in a Facebook post, a veiled reference to the past administration’s alleged efforts to shutter broadcast giant ABS-CBN after it failed to obtain a congressional franchise, resulting in successive closures of a number of its subunits, programs, and projects.

Despite limited resources, Katigbak said the team continued working “until our very last day,” ensuring that more films were preserved and brought back to life.

The group’s farewell was marked by the premiere of ”Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak,” a film starring the late National Artist for Film Nora Aunor, who also headlined the team’s first restored release, ”Himala.”

“It’s also rather poetic and fitting that we began our adventure with the release of Himala and took our final bow with the premiere of Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak,” Katigbak said.

Although the restoration department has shut down, some of its work will continue under other ABS-CBN units, including Star Cinema and Cinemo, which will carry on with the Sagip Pelikula advocacy beginning this month.

Katigbak expressed deep gratitude to ABS-CBN leaders who believed in the vision, such as then-Chairman Gabby Lopez, President Charo Santos, CEO Carlo Katigbak, and COO Cory Vidanes, as well as longtime supporters, including restoration partners, film advocates, and celebrities who helped champion the cause.

“Preserving the past to inspire the future is a never-ending quest,” he said. “We hope we were able to encourage many, including a new generation, to take up the challenge,” he added.