The UP Film Institute (UPFI), through its Film Archives and Library, moves to preserve the Cesar Hernando Collection of Philippine Cinema Memorabilia (Cesar Hernando Collection) using open and collaborative digital tools.
According to the UPFI, the initiative seeks to safeguard the said collection and provide research access to the public.
The Cesar Hernando Collection was turned over by artist and cultural entrepreneur Katya Guerrero to the UPFI in August 2025. It 鈥渇eatures over 3,000 photographs, 300 film posters, various audiovisual materials, and 60 digital discs reflecting Hernando鈥檚 unmatched legacy as a production designer, visual artist, and filmmaker whose work helped shape the visual language of modern Philippine cinema,鈥 the UPFI states.
UPFI Director Yason Banal said, the Cesar Hernando Collection is 鈥渁 living archive of art, cinema, and cultural memory that remains open to learning, research, and creative engagement.鈥
The UPFI Film Archives and Library will implement a phased preservation program, covering archival processing, cataloging, and digitization, to ensure the collection鈥檚 long-term care and accessibility for education, research, and cultural use. The project will use open-source digital tools and software that can be freely shared and customized to strengthen cataloging workflows, metadata creation, and research accessibility.
The initiative aims to raise public awareness of film archiving through exhibitions, workshops, and collaborations that promote the preservation and appreciation of Philippine cinema.
Guerrero said, 鈥渂y entrusting it to the UPFI Film Archives and Library, we hope it will continue to inspire scholars, students, and cinephiles to engage with our country鈥檚 rich audiovisual heritage.鈥
Hernando was a known production designer who has collaborated with renowned directors like Mike De Leon (Kisapmata, 1981; Sister Stella L., 1984; Citizen Jake, 2018), Lav Diaz (Batang West Side, 2001), Raymond Red (Bayani, 1992; Manila Skies, 2009, Kamera Obskura, 2012), and Maryo J. Delos Reyes (Tagos ng Dugo, 1987). He was a cinematographer (Clandestinos, 2007) and film director (Botika Bituka, 1987; Kagat ng Dilim, 2006; Gayuma, 2015).
He won several awards for production design (1981 Metro Manila Film Festival [MMFF] for Kisapmata, 1982 Gawad Urian [Kisapmata], 1993 Gawad Urian [Bayani], and 2002 Gawad Urian [Batang West Side]). He was also awarded the 2010 Young Critics Circle (YCC) Award for Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design for Manila Skies, together with Raymond Red, Danny Red, and Ronald Red.
He was a faculty member of the UP Diliman College of Fine Arts from June 1986 to 2011. He continued teaching as a professorial lecturer until 2014. Hernando passed away on 8 May 2019.
Currently, the UPFI Film Archives and Library is actively seeking research funding and institutional partnerships to sustain its preservation, digitization, and access programs.鈥With reports from UPFI
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