Last Sunday in ABS-CBN’s The Buzz, veteran actress and producer Armida Siguion-Reyna declared that the only way the entertainment industry can survive is if the MTRCB—which she referred to as the ‘censors’ board’—is abolished.
It’s a common misconception that the MTRCB ‘censors’ films and television shows; in fact, it only reviews and classifies motion pictures and television programs, as its name so evidently suggests. The board rates films as either G, PG 13, R 13, R 18, or X, and TV shows as G, PG, or X, and does not, on its own volition, cut scenes. The only time something is probably deemed censored is when a film or show is X-ed altogether, in its entirety, and its public exhibition is therefore prohibited (unless the producer or distributor voluntarily decides to delete contentious scenes). Being the successor of the Marcosian era board, it isn’t much of a surprise that people still think the board functions like the censors board it was before—then again, very few has really changed as regards to the mindset of many Filipinos.
But for the confusion to come from the mouth of a former chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board herself? Goodness! With all due respect to her achievements as an actor, producer, singer, and her irrefutable contributions to the industry, Madame Armida’s statement on The Buzz surely smacks of ignorance, even arrogance!
She should’ve known better and should have been more responsible, circumspect in her statements. Two things: First, she called the MTRCB the ‘censors’ board’ which it isn’t; next, she called for its abolition when doing so isn’t the solution.
Indeed, being the democracy we supposedly are, there are valid arguments against some ultra-conservative decisions rendered by the MTRCB, owing to the diverse membership of the board, and how the agency’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (or IRR) is drafted. But to spread what can be seen as misinformation does not in any way help in the lot of film-makers, producers and the viewing public.
It’s perplexing how some people readily resort to abolition as the solution. It’s so unintelligent, uncreative, unscientific, selfish, and frankly, downright lazy. There is much to be learned from the MTRCB’s over two-decade existence—a thorough evaluation of the agency’s structure and the guidelines that govern the board should reveal both loopholes and strengths, areas for improvement. An assessment of the industry it guides and the larger society it endeavors to protect, and the existing dynamic relationship between the two, will certainly provide more compelling reason for the MTRCB’s continued service (especially after some tweaks on its IRR are made, with some help from Congress).
The problem with the IRR and the aforementioned diversity in the board’s composition leads to an argument of specific versus general/contextual. Should the IRR be more specific, describing scenes like frontal nudity, masturbation, etc. as those warranting an X-rating (as is the case now), or should it be more general and give due regard to context? Such tug-of-war leads to an argument between too stern (stifling of freedom of expression) and arbitrariness of classification. It may be a debate ad infinitum, but all arguments are worth exploring—before we even talk about abolition.
Perhaps Madame Armida is championing the cause of an extreme segment in the wide spectrum that is the MTRCB, and maybe I should just respect that. But having been a former chair of the agency, it distresses me that she can just disregard everything her former office stands for, its mission, vision, goals and objectives.
The MTRCB dreams of a time when media is responsible enough to regulate itself. Tell me, with all the drama and discord brought about by Willie Revillame’s latest debacle with the law and moralists, can we honestly say we have an industry that can regulate itself and protect the general viewership, especially the young, from inappropriate programming?
Willing Willie is a cautionary tale, a reminder, that we have a long, long way to go en route to self-regulation. And for so long as such scenario remains, this country will continue to need an MTRCB to endorse age-appropriate programming and motion picture classification to protect our children. With the many distractions and online dangers our children are exposed to, each line of defense is crucial in keeping them from watching things they shouldn’t yet be seeing.
And for so long as it isn’t a perfect world, we all need to have an MTRCB, warts and all.
* * *
Tonight on The Bottomline with Boy Abunda: Topnotch lawyer Atty. Estelito Mendoza argues for and in behalf of the sixteen controversial ‘cities’ against critics after the Supreme Court flip-flopped anew on its decision reverting them to town status and effectively re-affirming their creation; he also reveals his fascinating experience as the lead defender of the country’s most contentious personalities (former presidents Marcos, Estrada, and Arroyo, tycoons Lucio Tan and Danding Cojuangco).
Watch it after Banana Split on ABS-CBN. Encore telecast on the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), Sunday, 1:00 pm.
* * *
Email: mikelopez8888@aol.com