What a difference a year makes. When we spoke with writer-director Jose Javier Reyes in an exclusive interview for CoverStory last year, the chair of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) used Ishmael Bernal’s screen drama “Relasyon” and Joey Gosiengfiao’s cult classic “Temptation Island” as tragic examples of cinematic loss to emphasize the urgent need for massive, immediate film preservation before more reels of our movie classics deteriorate beyond repair.

In that interview, Reyes told us that “Relasyon”—the film that won movie queen Vilma Santos a grand slam best actress sweep in 1983—could no longer be restored due to incomplete or damaged reels. 

Fast-forward a year, and Direk Joey happily reversed that grim outlook at a press conference last week detailing the 6th Philippine Film Industry Month (PFIM)—a monthlong celebration launching today, Sept. 4, under the theme “Pelikula: Ginintuang Ikalawa.”

“Yes, we found a copy—not in producer Regal Films’ vault, but at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA),” he recalled when asked about the serendipitous find. “If restoration finishes in time, the film could open PFIM 2027. Before this year ends, however, we will screen the restored version of Maryo J. de los Reyes’ ‘Magnifico,’ followed by Lino Brocka’s ‘Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa’ by mid-2027.”

Don Gervin Arawan, head of the Philippine Film Archive (PFA), described the rigorous undertaking to save “Relasyon”: “Efforts were made to locate the negatives in the Regal Films collection, but the surviving materials were incomplete and had already deteriorated. Fortunately, prints previously deposited by the PIA with the PFA were found to be in good condition.”

And just when you thought Direk Joey was done pulling pleasant surprises, he teased another impressive milestone: “Wait for next year because, by then, we will have restored the oldest surviving Filipino film known today—Carlos Vander Tolosa’s 1936 release, ‘Diwata ng Karagatan,’ starring Rogelio dela Rosa. Thanks to Nick Deocampo, who found a copy of the movie in Belgium, we are now restoring it and preparing a grand premiere.” (The historic first Filipino film, Jose Nepomuceno’s “Dalagang Bukid,” was released in 1919 but is now considered lost.)

The FDCP is also in talks with Regal to restore Jeffrey Jeturian’s “Pila-Balde” and Lav Diaz’s 2002 film, “Hesus, Rebolusyonaryo.” 

“I promise to restore at least 10 films before I step down in 2028,” Direk Joey quipped.

Meanwhile, two other digitally restored classics will bookend PFIM, which is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the second Golden Age of Philippine cinema this year. Lino Brocka’s 1974 social realist drama, “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang,” starring Christopher de Leon in his film debut, opens the festivities at Shangri-La Plaza today, Friday, while Mike de Leon’s 1984 landmark film “Sister Stella L.,” about a nun (Vilma Santos) thrust into political activism, will serve as the event’s closer.

Why choose a 1974 film if the second Golden Age officially began two years later?

“‘Tinimbang’ holds a special place in my heart, so restoring it was one of my biggest dreams,” Direk Joey declared. “When I was in college in 1974, Brocka brought a very young Christopher de Leon to De La Salle University to promote ‘Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang.’ As the features coeditor of our paper, I had the privilege of interviewing Brocka, who explained the importance of Philippine cinema to me. After that talk, I decided to become a screenwriter.”

Something shifted after the success of “Tinimbang,” he noted. “In those days, a La Sallian, an Atenean, or anyone from a middle- or upper-class college wouldn’t watch a Filipino film because it was considered ‘bakya.’ That production opened local viewers’ eyes to what Philippine cinema could be.”

Though the film was released in 1974, “Tinimbang,” Direk Joey said, effectively opened the floodgates for the second Golden Age that began in 1976. What followed was a breathtaking vanguard of cinematic masterpieces, including Brocka’s “Insiang,” Eddie Romero’s “Ganito Kami Noon… Paano Kayo Ngayon?,” Mike de Leon’s “Itim,” Mario O’Hara’s “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos,” Lupita Kashiwahara’s “Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo” and Ishmael Bernal’s “Nunal sa Tubig”—all in the same year.

He mused, “Considering the current state of our industry, we need another ‘Tinimbang’ to restore the honor, dignity and respect of the audience for Philippine cinema. It’s an uphill climb, but we’re determined to try.”

A highly anticipated highlight of the annual celebration is the FDCP Awards, honoring both industry legends and contemporary trailblazers who drive Filipino cinema forward. This year, Lifetime Achievement Awards will be conferred upon Viva Films producer Vic del Rosario Jr., iconic actress Hilda Koronel, and the esteemed critics’ group Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino as it marks its 50th anniversary milestone. The FDCP will also posthumously honor Tito Genova Valiente—the revered film critic, educator and regional cinema advocate who passed away on Aug. 22 at age 70.

This year’s Annual Achievement awardees put global Filipino talent on full display:

– Ryan Machado, who turned heads at the Berlinale in February before capturing the Best Director prize for “Rumaragasa” (Raging) at the 23rd Asian Film Festival in Rome last April.

– Jorrybell Agoto, the breakout star of Rafael Manuel’s Sundance Film Festival-winning satire, “Filipiñana.”

– Ruby Ruiz, the recent Cinemalaya Best Actress winner (for “Status: Rejected”) who also earned massive acclaim as a troubled nun in the Australian drama “First Light.” 

– The all-female powerhouse ensemble of Mercedes Cabral, Anna Luna, Irma Adlawan, Donna Cariaga, and Madeleine Nicolas and Hasmine Killip, who are celebrated for their work in Dominik Locher’s acclaimed Berlinale entry, “Enjoy Your Stay.”

Direk Joey lauded the global momentum of Filipino artists: “The enthusiasm at the Berlin screening of ‘Enjoy Your Stay’ was electric—proof that a story can have a European director but remain deeply Pinoy at its core. Likewise, the peerless Ruby Ruiz continues to command absolute respect. Her film ‘First Light’ is a formidable candidate to represent Australia in the Oscars’ International Feature Film category.”

The FDCP award is an honor that warms Ruiz’s heart. When asked how she felt about the recognition, the actress told CoverStory, “I feel proud and truly humbled by it. Receiving this award alongside these brilliant artists gives me an opportunity to take pause. To be recognized for doing your work as an ‘artista ng bayan’ is deeply heartwarming.”

As previously noted in our reports, Ruiz was the busiest and most prolific actress last year, fielding seven distinct film projects. Given the rich variety of roles she brought to life, we asked her to discuss how she connected with three of her most celebrated characters—portrayals that have come to define her exceptional range: the disillusioned Sister Yolanda in the drama “First Light,” the resilient Biring in the crowd-pleasing Cinemalaya comedy “Status: Rejected,” and Essie, the long-serving Filipino live-in nanny to Nicole Kidman’s character in the Prime Video series “Expats.”

“I could see myself in each of them,” Ruiz told us. “I was Essie at one point in my life—I lived and worked for a Canadian-German family in Toronto. Being a mother myself, [I consider] taking care of someone else’s child as your own is second nature. As Biring, I know that the loneliness an aging woman goes through is real and inevitable; the yearning for love and attention is a serious concern. And Sister Yolanda’s awakening to the harsh realities and contradictions of religion and faith is a journey that happens to many of us. We must always remain vigilant against the unjust practices we see around us.”

The Philippines’ official entry to the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled on March 14, 2027, will be announced at the opening of the PFIM today. Eight films are vying for the single, coveted slot: 

– Rafael Manuel’s visually sumptuous and thematically provocative black comedy “Filipiñana.”

– Jade Castro’s Ilokano-language BL (boys’ love) drama “All the Things I Leave You” (Patawid).

– Sigrid Andrea Bernardo’s unconventional romance “I’mPerfect,” which follows a couple living with Down syndrome.

– Raymond Red’s period thriller “Manila’s Finest,” set on the brink of martial law.

– Jerrold Tarog’s polarizing biopic “Quezon.”

– Jun Robles Lana’s period piece “Sisa.”

– Lawrence Fajardo’s Kian delos Santos-inspired drama “Silenced Nights.”

– Carl Joseph Papa’s animated docu-drama “58th,” which explores the ongoing search for a missing photojournalist following the 2009 Maguindanao massacre where 32 media workers were killed.

Here are the other notable PFIM activities this month:

Through its “SinaUna: Cinematic Action Before the War” program, the PFA will screen films originally released before World War II at FDCP Cinematheque Centres nationwide. Featured classics include Eduardo de Castro’s “Zamboanga,” Carlos Vander Tolosa’s “Giliw Ko,” Octavio Silos’ “Tunay na Ina” and “Pakiusap,” and Vicente Salumbides’ “Ibong Adarna.”

On Sept. 17, Mike Alcazaren’s heartbreaking documentary “Kodomo-tachi: Children of the War,” which revisits the Battle of Manila through the eyes of its survivors, premieres at Cinematheque Centre Manila.

The PFIM Short Film Competition will be held on Sept. 11-23, while the Sine Kabataan film festival marks its ninth edition with 10 competing entries from Sept. 18 to 20.

The Film Education Convention (FilmEc) will feature interactive workshops, student film screenings and film appreciation lectures on Sept. 25–26. Check out the FDCP’s official social media pages for the complete schedule and registration details. CS

Read more: Cinemalaya 22: Comedic Ruby Ruiz, dramatic Pokwang face off in genre-bending performances