Around GMA

Article Inside Page

Beginning June 3, the digitally restored and remastered version of Muro-Ami, the 1999 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Best Picture, will be screened in select SM Cinemas, introducing the acclaimed film to a new generation of moviegoers.

Directed by the late Marilou Diaz-Abaya and written by National Artist for Film Ricky Lee and acclaimed filmmaker Jun Robles Lana, Muro-Ami remains one of Philippine cinema's most powerful social dramas. The film starred Cesar Montano, Pen Medina, Jhong Hilario, and Amy Austria, and also featured Rebecca Lusterio. The film was produced in 1999 by Gilberto R. Duavit Jr. (now GMA Network President and CEO) and Menardo “Butch” Jimenez, Jr.

(L-R) Nonong Buencamino, Pen Medina, Cesar Montano, Ricky Lee, Amy Austria, Jhong Hilario, and Jun Robles Lana

As part of the release of the film's remastered version, a special screening was held last May 19, attended by Montano, Medina, Hilario, and Austria. They were joined by Lana, Lee, and Nonong Buencamino, who created the musical scoring of the film.

“I'm very excited [about the restoration]. Nung marinig ko na magkakaroon, nakita ko pa lang 'yung trailer, tuwang-tuwa na ako. So ngayon, I was jumping up and down,” Montano said.

“Masaya ako dahil nabuhay ulit siya sa pelikula. And nakakatuwa na walang AI ito. Ladies and gentlemen, digitally remastered only,” he added.

According to the Restoration Notes of Central Digital Lab CEO Manet Dayrit, Muro-Ami's restoration required “a total of 1,200 hours of meticulous work by the restoration artists of Central Digital Lab. The team addressed various film impairments, including scratches, optical dirt, molds, fingerprints, splice marks, flicker, and film bumps. Some issues were only partially corrected or minimized due to the condition of the original source materials. Deep scratches present in several underwater scenes posed significant limitations during the restoration process.”

Central Digital Lab was in charge of the restoration of Muro-Ami and last year's Jose Rizal.

The restoration of Muro-Ami forms part of GMA Pictures' continuing commitment to preserving and celebrating Filipino cinematic heritage.

In 2024, Jose Rizal — the 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Picture directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya and also starring Montano — was digitally restored and remastered. It had a gala screening at the historic Manila Metropolitan Theatre as part of the 20th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. The restored version is currently streaming on Netflix.

Secure your seats now for the digitally restored and remastered version of Muro-Ami through the SM Cinema App and Website.

For more news and updates, visit www.GMANetwork.com.