ABS-CBN Film Restoration Group in partnership with Ayala Cinemas formally opened its week-long restored film exhibition “Cinema Classics” via the premiere of the digitally restored and remastered 90s film “Hihintayin Kita sa Langit” personally graced by its lead stars Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta.

“Cinema Classics” aims to bring people back in time by showcasing some of the best films in Philippine cinema. This is the second installment of the project following its successful and first run last January at the UP Town Center Cinemas.

“It’s nice that the children of this generation would be able to watch this beautiful movie. It’s really something to remember. It’s actually a celebration,” said Richard, who won a Best Actor award from the 1992 Gawad Urian for his performance as Gabriel in the film.

“I saw some snippets while it was being restored, and it was as if it was just shot yesterday. It was beautiful. Before the scenes were dark, but now it’s really clear,” said Dawn, who won a Best Actress award from FAMAS in 1992 for her portrayal of Carmina.

“Hihintayin Kita sa Langit,” directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna, is a tragic love story between Carmina (Dawn), a wealthy daughter of a hacienda owner, and Gabriel (Richard), a farm hand in the hacienda. It also won major awards like 1992 Gawad Urian Best Director (Carlos Siguion-Reyna) and Best Cinematography (Romeo Vitug), and 1992 FAMAS Best Supporting Actor (Eric Quizon).

Aside from “Hihintayin Kita sa Langit,” “Cinema Classics” also features other digitally restored and remastered films such as Olivia Lamasan’s “Madrasta,” “Minsan Minahal Kita,” “Got To Believe,” and “In My Life;” Laurice Guillen’s “Tanging Yaman,” Rory Quintos’ “Anak,” Carlos Siguion Reyna’s “Ang Lalaki Sa Buhay Ni Selya;” Marilou Diaz-Abaya’s “Karnal,” Peque Gallaga’s “Oro Plata Mata;” Danny Zialcita’s “Nagalit Ang Buwan Sa Haba Ng Gabi,” Jerry Lopez Sineneng’s “Labs Kita Okey Ka Lang?,” and Cathy Garcia-Molina’s “One More Chance.”

“Cinema Classics” is part of ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project’s advocacy dubbed as “Sagip Pelikula,” which aims to preserve Philippine cinematic legacy by locally restoring classic Filipino films and make it available to the general public via different platforms.

Head out to Glorietta and Trinoma to watch these digitally restored and remastered films from Wednesday (March 1) to Tuesday (March 7). Tickets cost P220, with a discounted rate of P180 for students. For the full schedule, visit www.facebook.com/filmrestorationabscbn on Facebook.

Since 2011, ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project has been restoring classic films to help preserve Philippine cinematic history. Together with Central Digital Lab, it has become the first restoration effort to be done within the country.

To date, ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project has already restored over 120 films, some of which were already screened internationally via film fests, screened locally via red carpet premieres, aired on free-to-air and cable television, viewed via pay-per-view and video-on-demand, distributed on DVD, and downloadable even on iTunes.