ABS-CBN Sagip Pelikula Restores the 1939 LVN Classic ‘Giliw Ko’

The 1939 LVN musical drama “Giliw Ko” has returned to The Metropolitan Theatre 84 years after its initial theatrical release. Starring Mila del Sol, known as the ‘Queen of Philippines Golden Cinema,’ “Giliw Ko” stands as one of the only five full films that have endured without complete deterioration from the pre-World War 2 era.

“Most of the film elements were in bad shape. That’s why we had to repeatedly rescan some scenes frame by frame. The audio restoration was also a challenge, as the quality in parts had degraded to the point of being muffled, unintelligible, and grating. The scanning and enhancement were completed at ABS-CBN Film Archives while the audio was done at Narra by Wildsound Studios,” Leo Katigbak, head of ABS-CBN Film Restoration and Archives shared.  

“Giliw Ko,” which was written and directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa, tells the story of Guia (Mila del Sol), a young lady who has an exceptional singing voice and is much sought after by all the eligible bachelors in the hacienda. 

In her pursuit to follow her dreams, she agrees to work with Antonio (Ely Ramos), a talented musician and the son of a hacienda owner engaged to a socialite Rosie (Fleur De Lis). 

After naively mistaking Antonio’s attention for love, Guia hurriedly comes home to the hacienda to reunite with Jose (Fernando Poe Sr.), an industrious ranch hand and Guia’s long-time suitor and admirer. 

ABS-CBN Film Restoration continues to restore and remaster films from directors and writers of note for today’s viewers to appreciate through its Sagip Pelikula initiative. 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).

For more details on its upcoming film showings, follow ABS-CBN Film Restoration on Facebook (facebook.com/filmrestorationabscbn), Twitter (@ABS_Restoration), and Instagram (@abscbnfilmrestoration).