In a groundbreaking announcement, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairman and CEO Jose Javier Reyes revealed an exciting development for the local film industry: the government has procured a state-of-the-art movie restoration machine for the first time. 

This new technology will help restore classic films, keeping their legacy alive and allowing future generations to enjoy Philippine cinema as initially intended.

"Huwag ninyong akalain na walang ginagawa ang gobyerno sa pag-uplift ng pelikulang Pilipino. For the first time, itong pamahalaan na ito nagbigay ng pera para bumili ng restoration machine to restore the Filipino movies. (Don't think that the government is doing nothing to uplift Filipino films. For the first time, this government has given money to buy a restoration machine to restore Filipino movies)," said Direk Joey during an interview for the show "At The Forefront" on Bilyonaryo News Channel recently.

Direk Joey stated that no government administration has done this before, noting that previous administrations only made promises.

"Wala pang gumagawa nito. Yung iba puro, abla abla lang. Pero ang gusto ko sa ginagawa ni First Lady (Liza Marcos) is she's putting her money where her mouth is. She wants action. (No one has done this. The others are just, like, abla abla. But what I like about what the First Lady is doing is she's putting her money where her mouth is. She wants action)," he said.

Direk Joey encouraged the public to give Filipino movies a chance.

"This aligns with the way I do things. I don't want to promise what I can't deliver. Higit sa pangako ko, pagbigyan niyo naman ang pelikulang Pilipino bago ninyo matahin. (This aligns with the way I do things. I don't want to promise what I can't deliver. More than I promise, please give me the Filipino movies a chance before you criticize it)," said the popular filmmaker.

Direk Joey added: "Kung meron man kumakalaban sa atin at humahatak pababa sa Pilipino, ang nakakalungkot ay ang kapwa Pilipino. kasi kung hindi tayo maniniwala kung sino tayo, sino pa ang maniniwala sa atin. (If there is anyone who opposes us and drags down Filipinos, the saddest thing is fellow Filipinos. Because if we don't believe in who we are, who else will believe in us.)

Pursuant to its mandate, the FDCP supports the growth and empowerment of the Philippine film industry and the production of quality films through programs: talent and project development support, production support, local and international distribution, exhibition support, film incentives, diplomatic relations, film workers support,  and film archiving.

FDCP also represents Philippine cinema internationally, leading the country’s participation in domestic and foreign film markets and local and international film festivals to promote and position Philippine cinema to be globally competitive.

This developed as the FDCP will honor industry icons and pioneers at this year’s Parangal ng Sining, held at Seda Vertis North, Quezon City, on April 19.

Through “Parangal ng Sining” (“Honor of the Arts”), the FDCP aims to gather the creatives and stakeholders of the Philippine film industry to celebrate the role of cinema in distilling the nation’s cultural identity. It also aims to encourage Filipino artists, educators, and film institutions to continue to achieve and work for excellence in their craft.

“Parangal ng Sining” will revive the glamor of the Golden Age of Philippine Cinema with the theme of Old Hollywood. Reminiscent of classic Filipino films and the elegant parties held at Sampaguita Studios, honorees and guests will be dressed in black-and-white finery, while the main stage will be displayed in technicolor. 

The "Parangal ng Sining" Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to actress Boots Anson Roa Rodrigo, film critic and writer Dr. Nicanor Tiongson; filmmakers and screenwriters Clodualdo “Doy” del Mundo Jr., and Armando “Bing” Lao; Society of Filipino Archivists for Film (SOFIA), ABS-CBN Film Restoration (Sagip Pelikula), and Gloria Romero.