The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
After forty-two years, the now classic “Sister Stella L” has found a new lease on life when its restored version was premiered in the Philippines recently.
The Mike de Leon-directed film, produced by Regal Films in 1984 and starred Vilma Santos as Sister Stella Legaspi, a nun who was awakened to fight for freedom and emancipation of workers and the nation because of her exposure to harsh social realities was remastered by L’Immagine Ritrovata in Italy, successfully premiered at the 40th edition of Il Cinema Ritrovato before it finally came home to The Metropolitan Theater “for its first public screening to a packed theater,” the latter description quoted from Leo Katigbak, Senior Consultant at the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Philippine Film Archives (PFA).
The event was attended by the living cast members of the movie, primarily, Vilma Santos, Laurice Guillen, Gina Alajar, Pen Medina, Raquel Villavicencio; screenwriter Jose F. Lacaba, also known as Pete Lacaba and soundman Ding Achacoso.
The late producer Mrs. Lily Monteverde, also known as Mother Lily was represented by Roselle Monteverde; editor Jess Navarro by Kathleeen Navarro-Tan, Julie Navarro-Galino and Khzie Navarro-Fajardo and de Leon by BG Eraña.
Meanwhile, among the living actors and creatives whom entertainment writer JC Nigado hadn’t seen were Liza Lorena who portrayed as the magazine editor, Rody Vera as one of the workers on strike, Lacaba’s co-writers Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil and Jose Almojuela, also known as Peping Almojuela and cinematographer Rody Lacap.
The inimitable singer Pat Castillo who rendered a haunting and meaningful anthem “Sangandaan,” the theme song of the film, wasn’t around either, according to JC.
Other guests included Ping Medina, Mae Paner, Kaye Torres, Tina Loy and Perla Bautista.
The late Jay Ilagan and Tony Santos, Sr. were also among the main stars of the movie.
During the talkback session, it was clarified that “Sister Stella L” was supposed to be submitted to the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival in 1984 but its subtitling didn’t finish on time.
It was a successful premiere showing, indeed.
“Moments like these are what really makes the restoration initiative fulfilling. It is a lot of hard work with often difficult challenges financially and logistically, but the warm response, enthusiastic reactions and overflowing appreciation for what we do makes it all worth it and readies us to face obstacles anew another day,” enthused Katigbak.
Meanwhile, film archivist Ronald Rios said that Ritrovata has retained its filmic quality. “…Almost no sign of color bleeding. Audio is superb. Hearing again the song ‘Manggagawa’ by Rody Vera and ‘Sangandaan’ by Pat Castillo brought back memories of 1984,” said Ronald, also known in the digital world as Onat Onat. (Boy Villasanta)