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Cesar Montano graces gala screening of remastered 'Jose Rizal' film

August 08 2024

The digitally restored and remastered version of Jose Rizal had its gala screening at the historic Manila Metropolitan Theatre as part of the 20th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

The screening was attended by Cesar Montano, who portrayed the titular hero in the movie. Other celebrities present were Gloria Diaz, Pen Medina, and Dennis Marasigan who now serves as the artistic director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

After the film showing, Cesar could not help but shed tears as he watched the movie he made in 1998.

"This movie was released about 26 years ago, 'di ko akalain na mapapa-iyak pa rin ako, e. Sobra, sobrang ganda. Maganda 'yung pagkakagawa, napaka-genius talaga ng pagkaka-direct nitong movie," he said.

"Sayang, ako natutuwa ako because of this newly-restored movie, nalulungkot din ako dahil sana nandidito si Direk Marilou na na-witness niya 'tong restoration na 'to."

The family of the late movie director, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, was also in attendance. Before the start of the screening, Marc spoke in front of the jam-packed crowd.

He said, "Sa ngalan ni Marilou Diaz-Abaya, nagpapasalamat po kaming pamilya niya na ni-restore po ng GMA Films ang isa sa masterpieces ni Direk Marilou."

"A good story is a good story. Period. A good story can become a great story depending on how you tell the story. Sa case na ito, nasa larangan ng pelikula driven by the passion, the devotion, the hardwork of the filmmakers, the actors, everybody that is part of the filmmaking process.

"I'm very curious to see what GMA Films has done but I know and I'm grateful to GMA Films for making one of my mother's greatest films accessible to this generation and to future generations."

National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, who was one of the writers of the film alongside Jun Robles Lana and Peter Ong Lim, said that he was having mixed emotions at the screening.

"Masaya akong malungkot ngayong hapon na ito. Masaya dahil na-restore itong 'Jose Rizal' at mas marami nang makakapanood, nalulungkot ako dahil wala si Marilou," Sir Ricky said.

Take a look back at what happened during the gala screening of the digitally restored and remastered version of 'Jose Rizal,' produced by GMA Pictures.