Eyes here, Filipino film enthusiasts!  

Through ABS-CBN's Sagip Pelikula project, numerous classic Filipino films have been digitally restored and remastered, for those who grew up on these masterpieces as well as for a whole new generation of audiences to enjoy.   

The intricate process of restoring every film takes hundreds of hours and artists to deliver, with each film having its varied blemishes to be attended to, such as dust, scratches, flicker, and more. But with sheer love and dedication to Filipino films, the Sagip Pelikula project was able to accomplish the restorations, with the support of its partners and the hard work of its staff. 

Starting this January, you can now watch these timeless Filipino films in all their digitally restored and remastered glory for FREE on Star Cinema’s official YouTube channel! Here’s a complete list of this month’s offerings: 

‘Banaue: Stairway to the Sky’ (1975) 

Director: Gerardo de Leon 

Starring: Nora Aunor, Christopher de Leon 

“Banaue: Stairway to the Sky” follows a tribe as it embarks on seeking a new dwelling place within the majestic environs of the rice terraces. Apart from depicting everyday tribal life, the film exposes viewers to the tension that arises when the tribe must defend their newfound home against another tribe out to conquer them. 

‘Ganito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon?’ (1976) 

Director: Eddie Romero 

Starring: Christopher de Leon, Gloria Diaz 

The musical comedy film “Ganito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon?” tells the rags-to-riches story of Kulas, a happy-go-lucky, childlike, and simple man who journeys to Manila and learns about his identity as a Filipino, amid Spanish and American colonization. 

‘Mga Bilanggong Birhen’ (1977)  

Director: Mario O'Hara 

Starring: Alma Moreno, Armida Siguion-Reyna 

A mother and her two daughters are held back from acting on their true desires and dreams in "Mga Bilanggong Birhen". This period drama depicts the country's quest for freedom at the time of the American occupation of the Philippines, all through the perspective of the three women. 

‘Kasal?’ (1980) 

Director: Laurice Guillen 

Starring: Christopher de Leon, Hilda Koronel 

In the steamy drama film "Kasal?", an engaged couple settles unresolved feelings by reuniting with their respective exes shortly before their wedding day, a move that unravels unexpected tumult for both of them. 

‘Kakabakaba Ka Ba?’ (1980) 

Director: Mike de Leon 

Starring: Christopher de Leon, Charo Santos, Jay Ilagan, Sandy Andolong 

In the musical comedy “Kakabakaba Ka Ba?”, four friends are mistakenly entangled with an international drug syndicate that sets sights on the Philippines as its next target market. The film’s satirical undertones also poke fun at the country’s most powerful and influential institutions. 

‘Karnal’ (1983) 

Director: Marilou Diaz-Abaya 

Starring: Charito Solis, Philip Salvador 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL-YmPIafr0 [Note: "Karnal” is available to stream in select territories.]

Told through an enigmatic narrator, “Karnal” chronicles the journey and seemingly cursed fate of a young married couple, Narcing and Puring, as they move to Narcing’s hometown of Mulawin, a place plagued by mystery and violence. 

‘Bulaklak sa City Jail’ (1984) 

Director: Mario O'Hara 

Starring: Nora Aunor, Gina Alajar 

A pregnant detainee is forced to deal with dangerous figures and many forms of injustices as she navigates prison life in “Bulaklak sa City Jail”. Hardships continue to test her as she attempts to appeal her case amid her approaching childbirth. 

See all these January Sagip Pelikula releases, as well as more of the project’s restored masterpieces, at the official YouTube channel of Star Cinema! 

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