A special screening of the 1987 film "Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak" at the Ayala Malls the 30th, April 9, 2025. Ganiel Krishnan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — A wave of nostalgia is sweeping over Filipino movie fans as ABS-CBN Film Restoration brings back a collection of digitally restored and remastered classic films through its ongoing Sagip Pelikula campaign.

The films are now available to stream for free on YouTube, giving the new generation access to some of the most iconic stories in Philippine cinema.

 “Ang feeling ko nga mas may awareness na ngayon ang mga tao na itong mga lumang pelikula ay magaganda, kailangang ibalik ulit,” shared Leo Katigbak, head of ABS-CBN Film Restoration.

“Ngayon, wala na masyadong venue para mapanood yung mga lumang pelikula. So with this initiative, and using new technology and platforms, it’s a good way to showcase the movie to a newer generation.”

Among the featured titles are Lorna Tolentino’s Sa Init ng Apoy and Moral, and films starring Christopher de Leon including "Ganito Kami Noon… Paano Kayo Ngayon?", "Hindi Nahahati ang Langit", "Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising, and Bad Bananas sa Puting Tabing".

Also streaming are his beloved team-up with Nora Aunor in "Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos" and the critically acclaimed "Himala" — along with several other cinematic gems.

“Si Mommy very, very happy kasi parang cinelebrate ulit natin yung movie,” said Matet de Leon, daughter of Nora Aunor, on her mother’s reaction to the restoration. 

Support for Filipino classic films continues to grow, especially under the initiative led by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, in collaboration with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) under the leadership of Direk Joey Reyes.

“The government gave FDCP money to buy a restoration machine so that we can restore our films here,” Reyes said. “No other administration has done that. If for that alone, that is so well appreciated. Maraming salamat.”

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“Nakakatuwa naman na binibigyan ng halaga,” added Katigbak. 

“Ngayon, kung meron na tayong equipment dito, baka mas marami na tayong magagawa. So, nakakatuwa naman ’yun.”

Earlier Wednesday, April 9, a special screening of the restored 1987 film "Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak" was held, with cast members Matet de Leon, Celeste Legaspi, Bembol Roco, and Dan Alvaro in attendance.

“Masaya ako kasi na-restore nga yung pelikula ni Mommy (Ate Guy), ni Tita Celeste, and kasama na rin ako,” Matet shared. “Excited akong mapanood ng malinaw na malinaw. Napakagandang pelikula nito.”

“It’s one of my favorite works I’ve ever done,” added Celeste Legaspi. “The film was very ahead of its time in the ’80s, and I’m glad it was restored by ABS-CBN.”

Even the film’s writer, Frank Rivera, was present to witness the movie’s return to the big screen. “It’s so wonderful that a film like that will be done this way again,” he said. “I love this film because this is one of the few comedies we did na may kaunting action.”

Aside from "Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak" the restored version of the 1991 film Kailan Ka Magiging Akin is also screening in select cinemas until April 13.

Through Sagip Pelikula, ABS-CBN Film Restoration continues to champion the preservation of Filipino film heritage.Reyes said the "film vault" of FDCP already looks beautiful while explaining that the council's building is still under construction.

He also unveiled the titles of the other classical films they plan to restore.

"Unang-una siguro ang top of the line, naalala mo yung pelikula ni Gloria Sevilla? Most important Visayan film, 'Badlis sa Kinabuhi'. Plano ring i-restore ang mga Bernal films like 'Relasyon', 'Broken Marriage', 'The Graduates', 'Ito Ba Ang Ating Mga Anak?' Inuuna namin ang mga films ng mga national artist. Tapos may ibang films na quirky na," he said.

"Ang lungkot-lungkot ko wala na kasing available film ang 'Tempation Island' ni Joey Gosiengfiao. As in wala na! Sabi ko, we must restore that!" — With a report from MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News