ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project, also known as Sagip Pelikula, was a digital film restoration project of ABS-CBN Corporation in partnership with Central Digital Lab. Launched in 2011, the project was headed by Leo Katigbak of ABS-CBN Film Archives and Manet Dayrit of Central Digital Lab. The goal of the project was to digitally restore and remaster select Filipino films from the archives of ABS-CBN.
The project digitized, restored, and remastered over 240 Philippine films into a 1080p or 2K Digital Cinema Package format with a maximum resolution of 2048x1080 pixels at 24 frames per second. These films have been released through a wide array of platforms including limited theatrical runs, film festivals, free-to-air and cable television, DVDs, pay per view, and over-the-top content platforms such as iTunes. Most of the restoration processes were done by Central Digital Lab in the Philippines with the exception of select films which were commissioned by ABS-CBN to be restored abroad by L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna, Italy and Kantana Post-Production in Bangkok, Thailand, and others which were scanned and enhanced in-house. All copyrights to the films restored and remastered are owned in perpetuity by ABS-CBN.
On August 31, 2020, the film restoration project unit downsized its operations as part of the retrenchment by the company after its new legislative franchise for the company's broadcasting operations was denied by the House of Representatives.
On March 31, 2025, the project ceased its operations, citing effects attributed to the 2020 shutdown. It was later confirmed by head Leo Katigbak on his Facebook page on May 1.
Restoration process The first stage of the process is the scanning of the film negatives or prints into a digital picture and sound raw format. Depending on the film's condition, it may undergo a physical cleaning before the scanning could begin. The scanned materials will then undergo an automated and a painstaking frame by frame digital restoration process. The process involves the digital removal of dirt, scratches, fingerprints, discolorations, molds, tape marks, and other damages in the scanned materials. The process also involves the correction of color, brightness, and contrast into its original form often consulting the original cinematographers of each films whenever possible. Subtitles and watermarks, if present, are also removed in the process. The process also involves the restoration and remastering of sound. This involves the syncing of sound to the picture and the removal of unnecessary noises such as eradicate pops and whistles. Extreme measures were also done to remove copyrighted songs from some films. Dozens of technicians, engineers, and artists work hundreds of hours for each film with restoration cost ranging anywhere between twenty-five thousand pesos and ten million pesos per film.
List of notable films restored
Title Director YearVideo restoration facility Himala Ishmael Bernal 1982 2012 Central Digital Lab Inc.(Makati City, Metro Manila) Home Along Da Riles: The Movie Johnny Manahan 1993 MadrastaOlivia M. Lamasan1996 Oro, Plata, MataPeque Gallaga 1982 Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon Eddie Romero 1976 2013 Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi Danny L. Zialcita 1983 Isprikitik (Walastik Kung Pumitik) Efren "Loging" Jarlego 1999 Hindi Nahahati ang Langit Mike De Leon 1985 2014 Milan Olivia M. Lamasan 2004 Kapag Langit ang Humatol Laurice Guillen 1990 Minsan, Minahal KitaOlivia M. Lamasan2000 T-Bird at AkoDanny L. Zialcita 19822015 Tanging Yaman Laurice Guillen 2000 Bagong Buwan Marilou Diaz-Abaya 2001 Bata, Bata... Pa'no Ka Ginawa? Chito Roño 1998 Dekada '702002 Sarah, Ang Munting Prinsesa Romy V. Suzara 1995 Maalaala Mo Kaya: The Movie Olivia M. Lamasan 1994 Nagsimula sa Puso Mel Chionglo 1990 Sana Maulit Muli Olivia M. Lamasan1995 Pare KoJose Javier Reyes Kakabakaba Ka Ba?Mike De Leon 1980 L'Immagine Ritrovata (Bologna, Italy) Karnal Marilou Diaz-Abaya 1983 Central Digital Lab Inc.(Makati City, Metro Manila) Virgin People Celso Ad. Castillo 1984 Ikaw Ay Akin Ishmael Bernal 1978AnakRory B. Quintos2000 Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising Mike De Leon 1977 2016 Cain at Abel Lino Brocka1982 HaplosAntonio Jose Perez Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos Mario O'Hara 1976 L'Immagine Ritrovata (Bologna, Italy) Magic Temple Peque Gallaga 1996 Central Digital Lab Inc.(Makati City, Metro Manila) Kasal? Laurice Guillen 1980Basta't Kasama KitaRory B. Quintos1995 Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang? Jerry Lopez Sineneng 1998 2017 Hihintayin Kita sa Langit Carlos Siguion-Reyna 1991 MoralMarilou Diaz-Abaya 1982 L'Immagine Ritrovata (Bologna, Italy) Hataw Na Jose Javier Reyes 1995 Central Digital Lab Inc.(Makati City, Metro Manila) Sa Aking mga Kamay Rory B. Quintos1996 Cedie Romy V. Suzara Tag-Ulan sa Tag-Araw Celso Ad. Castillo 1975 High School Scandal Gil Portes1981 L'Immagine Ritrovata(Bologna, Italy) KarmaDanny L. Zialcita Langis at Tubig 1980 Central Digital Lab Inc.(Makati City, Metro Manila)Don't Give Up on UsJoyce Bernal2006 May MinamahalJose Javier Reyes 1993 2018 L'Immagine Ritrovata(Bologna, Italy/Hong Kong) Ikaw Pa Lang ang Minahal Carlos Siguion-Reyna 1992 Central Digital Lab Inc.(Makati City, Metro Manila) Sa Init ng Apoy Romy V. Suzara 1980 L'Immagine Ritrovata(Bologna, Italy) Banaue: Stairway to the Sky Gerardo de Leon 1975 Kantana Post-Production Co. Ltd.(Thailand) Nunal sa Tubig Ishmael Bernal 1976 John en Marsha '85 sa ProbinsyaJett C. Espiritu 1985 Omeng Satanasia Frank Gray Jr. 1977 Minsa'y Isang Gamu-gamo Lupita Aquino-Kashiwara 1976 Biyudo si Daddy, Biyuda si Mommy Tony Y. Reyes 1997 Central Digital Lab Inc.(Makati City, Metro Manila)Paano ang Puso Ko?Rory B. Quintos1997 Saan Ka Man NaroroonCarlos Siguion-Reyna 1993 2019 Bad Bananas sa Puting Tabing Peque Gallaga 1983 Kantana Post-Production Co. Ltd.(Thailand) Mga Bilanggong Birhen Mario O'Hara & Romy Suzara 1977 Central Digital Lab Inc.(Makati City, Metro Manila) Ang TV Movie: The Adarna Adventure Johnny Manahan 1996 Biyaya ng Lupa Manuel Silos 1959 ABS-CBN Film Archives(Quezon City, Metro Manila) Malvarosa Gregorio Fernandez 1958 Tisoy! Ishmael Bernal 1977 Kantana Post-Production Co. Ltd.(Thailand) Misteryo sa Tuwa Abbo Q. dela Cruz1984 Kantana Post-Production Co. Ltd. (Thailand and India)L'Immagine Ritrovata (Bologna, Italy) Bulaklak sa City Jail Mario O'Hara Kantana Post-Production Co. Ltd.(Thailand) Aguila Eddie Romero 1980 FPJ Studios (Quezon City, Metro Manila) Captain BarbellJose Wenceslao 1973 Kantana Post-Production Co. Ltd.(Thailand) Kailangan Kita Rory B. Quintos 2002 2020 Central Digital Lab Inc.(Makati City, Metro Manila) Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin Chito S. Roño 1994 Markova: Comfort Gay Gil Portes 2000Inagaw Mo ang Lahat sa AkinCarlos Siguion-Reyna1995Ibong AdarnaVicente Salumbides1941 ABS-CBN Film Archives(Quezon City, Metro Manila)BadjaoLamberto V. Avellana1957Anak Dalita1956Radio RomanceJose Javier Reyes19962021 Central Digital Lab Inc.(Makati City, Metro Manila)Kung Mawawala Ka PaJose Mari Avellana1993Tinimbang ang LangitDanny L. Zialcita1982 Kantana Post-Production Co. Ltd.(Thailand)SolteroPio De Castro III1984Prinsipe TeñosoGregorio Fernandez1954 ABS-CBN Film Archives(Quezon City, Metro Manila)The GraduationLuciano B. Carlos1969Hey BabeJoyce Bernal1999 Central Digital Lab Inc.(Makati City, Metro Manila)Paano Kita Iibigin2007Ang Pulubi at Ang PrinsesaJerry Lopez Sineneng1997Kasal, Kasali, KasaloJose Javier Reyes2006Hanggang Kailan Kita MamahalinOlivia M. Lamasan1997Sandata at PangakoF. H. Constantino1961 ABS-CBN Film Archives(Quezon City, Metro Manila)TripletsFlorentino Garcia19602022My Juan En OnlyFrank Gray, Jr.1982Central Digital Lab Inc.(Makati City, Metro Manila)Mutya ng Pasig Richard Abelardo 19502023ABS-CBN Film Archives(Quezon City, Metro Manila)Giliw Ko Carlos Vander Tolosa 1939Sumpaan Susana C. De Guzman 19482024Shake, Rattle & Roll Emmanuel H. Borlaza, Ishmael Bernal & Peque Gallaga 1984Praybeyt BenjaminWenn Deramas 2011Central Digital Lab Inc.(Makati City, Metro Manila)Kailan Ka Magiging Akin Chito S. Roño 1991 2025 ABS-CBN Film Archives(Quezon City, Metro Manila)Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak Mario O'Hara 1987
References
External links
2013. Classic Filipino films restored by ABS CBN Film Archives: Restoring our Films, Saving our Heritage. IASA Carmela Barbaza (2014). ABS-CBN Film Archives lists contributions for WDAVH 2014. SEAPAVAA Tessa Mauricio-Arriola (August 20, 2015). Immortalizing Philippine cinematic classics. The Manila Times Don Jaucian (Apr 7, 2017). Rescuing the lost heritage of Philippine cinema. CNN Philippines