Let's Patronize Restored Movies on TV

IF THERE is one thing that makes ABS-CBN stand out amidst all the criticisms of being too biased against the current Duterte administration and its predictable teleserye plots, then it has to be its Restored Classics movie series which airs every month on the Sunday's Best block.

Since 2014, ABS-CBN has had a Film Restoration division where it has restored over a hundred classic Filipino movies, including films produced by the network's movie division Star Cinema.

The first film ABS-CBN restored was Nora Aunor's Himala which was named by CNN as one of the best movies ever produced in the world.

Starting January last year, ABS-CBN began airing its monthly restored movies on the first Sunday of the month starting with the Aga Muhlach-Dayanara Torres movie Basta't Kasama Kita, which was aired on the eve of the last Miss Universe held in the Philippines.

Other restored movies ABS-CBN has aired on the Sunday's Best time slot include Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, Hindi Nahahati ang Langit (last Easter Sunday), Kakabakabakaba Ka Ba, Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, Labs Kita Okey ka Lang, Anak (starring Vilma Santos), Ikaw ay Akin, Batang PX, Karnal, Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara (starring Lorna Tolentino), Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, Sana Maulit Muli and Madrasta. Another restored movie, Magic Temple, was aired in the Sunday morning time slot before the noontime show ASAP.

All these movies had special screenings at such theaters as Trinoma and Power Plant Cinema in Makati and they are also released on DVD to ensure that future generations enjoy these movies in crisp, clear color.

One big drawback when these movies are aired on TV, however, is that they are shown so late at night starting at 11:30 pm after Gandang Gabi Vice. If an ABS-CBN live Sunday show goes overtime, then these movies air starting at midnight until 2 the following morning. Sometimes, these movies have some scenes that get cut because of time constraints.

I think ABS-CBN can solve this problem if it can remove one of its Sunday shows like Rated K, Wansapanataym, I Can See Your Voice and Your Face Sounds Familiar. Most likely Rated K should go since Korina Sanchez doesn't have any credibility as a news personality anyway.

ABS-CBN should make this move if it wants to make its Restored Classics series more attractive to viewers who want to watch a good quality movie before they go to sleep and get ready for classes and work the next morning. These restored movies are miles ahead of the SNBO movies of rival network GMA 7 which are mostly Hollywood flicks with awkward Tagalog dubbing which turn off a lot of viewers.