Look back on the inspiring journey of veteran writer-director and former ABS-CBN Films Productions Inc. head Olivia M. Lamasan as she shared her pursuits of becoming one of the most revered names in Philippine cinema in the latest installment of Sagip Pelikula Spotlight this June featuring her digitally-restored works and her retrospect in its special pre-show interview.
In a one-on-one conversation with ABS-CBN Film Restoration head Leo Katigbak shown before every screening of her restored works on KTX.ph, Direk Olive recalled her humble beginnings as an aspiring filmmaker before becoming the industry's beloved 'Inang.'
"I started in an American project shot in the Philippines entitled 'Nine Deaths of a Ninja.' That's where I met Charo . She was an associate producer. Meanwhile, I started as a production assistant or assistant to the producer," Olive said.
She then gained several experiences in the industry, where she took on the associate producer role for other production companies and later on as one of the executive producers for ABS-CBN shows.
Direk Olive also shared that she never thought of fulfilling her dream to write films and even won the Best Screenplay Award in the prestigious Gawad Urian and Star Awards for her work in "Ipagpatawad Mo."
Industry veterans saw potential in the young Olive, who later had opportunities to be trained by award-winning filmmakers Ishmael Bernal, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Laurice Guillen, and Mike de Leon in directing.
Known for her unorthodox style of directing and putting emphasis on the story's relevance to society, Direk Olive wishes to leave a legacy of connecting with the audiences through her works.
"I'm hoping they would see my works depict truth in life and reflect characters in real life—their joy, pain, and journey. Also, for these works to inspire people and touch hearts despite the challenges we have in life," she addressed.
Viewers can learn more insights and catch the full pre-show interview with Direk Olive in the latest installment of Sagip Pelikula Spotlight, featuring the digitally-restored 2002 hit "Got 2 Believe" starring Claudine Barretto and Rico Yan now streaming on KTX for only P150.
Apart from "Got 2 Believe," today's audiences can stream more of her works, including "Maalaala Mo Kaya... The Movie," "Milan," "Sana Maulit Muli," and "The Mistress" all on KTX. Sagip Pelikula also has another treat for viewers with the digitally scanned and enhanced version of LVN's 1960 classic film "The Triplets," streaming for free this June 23 (Thursday) at 7:30 PM on ABS-CBN Film Restoration's Facebook page.
Now on its eleventh year since digitally restoring its first title, Sagip Pelikula continues to remaster films from directors and writers of note for today's viewers to appreciate. These efforts have earned multiple recognitions from award-giving bodies worldwide, including the prestigious Gold Quill Award given by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Gawad Pedro Bucaneg from Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL), and most recently the Gawad PASADO sa Pagsisinop ng mga De Kalibreng Pelikula distinction from the 23rd Gawad PASADO organized by Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro (PASADO).