MOVIE AND TELEVISION REVIEW AND CLASSIFICATION BOARD

MTRCB NewsletterMTRCB Newsletter

JUNE 2014

IN THIS ISSUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MTRCB Upholds the Welfare of Women in Television (The Pinoy Big Brother All-In Case)

In line with its commitment to protect the welfare of vulnerable sectors, especially those of women and children, MTRCB immediately responded to requests to look into Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) All-In after a controversial “nude painting” episode drew criticism from vari-ous sectors.

After the mandatory conference called on 11 June 2014, MTRCB released an Order directing ABS-CBN Corporation to adopt certain remedial measures, particularly on gender sensi-tivity and the non-derogatory portrayal of women in television (in the context of the said PBB All-In episodes).

One of the measures was for ABS-CBN to issue a public apology to be aired over “TV Patrol” news program and during the 11 June episode of the TV program in question. The public apology as aired, read as follows: The Hearing Committee also directed ABS-CBN to:

♦ Implement the appointment of Atty. Monalisa Manalo as gender focal person for all its television programs until such time as another gender focal person is so appointed by it; ♦ Enter into, with the Board, a three (3)-month period of close collaboration during which period respondent network shall undertake such further concrete reme- dial and self-regulatory measures to address all concerns of gender sensitivity and over all audience-sensitivity, comprehensively reporting to the Board, through this Hearing Committee, in writing every four (4) weeks counted from today the measures taken and the results thereof; ♦ Submit, as proposed by the network today, the subject program to per-episode post review until its final episode, to end that the viewing public and vulnerable sectors, e.g. women, children, etc. are protected as regards any inappropriate con-

“Pinoy Big Brother All In gave a task to a female housemate and three (3) other housemates aired within the June 4 and 5 episodes of the program. The said task was the subject of the Mandatory Conference called by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) this morning, which also included the concerns raised by the Philippine Commission on Women, among other parties. “While the objective of the week-long task was to see how the housemates would react to a test of their convictions and values, and was not intended to disrespect the rights of any housemate, the Producers wish to convey their sincerest apologies to those who were offended, and assure the public and the MTRCB that the pro-gram will continue to ensure the protection of women’s rights in general, and housemates 'rights in particular, while providing quality and yet gender and audi-ence-sensitive entertainment to their audiences worldwide.”

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MTRCB Upholds the Welfare of Women in Television (The Pinoy Big Brother All-In Case) MTRCB Promotes PWD sensitive Media in a Forum with Media Practitioners MTRCB’s Matalinong Panonood Flies to the City in Bloom, Davao City MTRCB Brings Matalinong Panonood to Fox International Channels Chairman Villareal Holds Talks on Matalinong Panonood in an Online Content Regulation Workshop MTRCB Partners with Alliance for the Family Foundation Philip-pines (ALFI) for the Promotion of Filipino Family Values MTRCB Conducts Matalinong Panonood in La Union MTRCB on Let’s Talk at INC TV The Diocese of Pasig Partners with the MTRCB

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tent, and for the Board itself to see the program’s degree of vigilance in terms of self-regulation particularly in re- gard to respondent network’s today to impose an “SPG” rating when warranted for certain episodes, consistent with applicable laws, rules and regulations, with the proper descriptors e.g. as regards theme, language or sex; ♦ Further to the recommendation of the resource persons present today, institutionalize the following for the program: ♦ Submit to the Board, no later than 16 June 2014, a sworn undertaking of all respondent network’s committed self-regulatory measures for the program further to sub-paragraph 3 above, plus such additional ones that it may propose in this order; ♦ Submit its creative staff (and without prejudice to such other personnel) within the above cited-period of close col- laboration to a gender-sensitivity seminar to be organized by the MTRCB, in coordination with PCW, which seminar shall be occasion to additionally review and if warranted, strengthen the self-regulatory and remedial meas- ures so undertaken by respondent network for the program, including but not limited to vigilantly, promptly and prudently imposing the “SPG” rating when warranted.

The mandatory conference was attended by program executives from ABS-CBN and resource personalities and groups invited by MTRCB, namely: the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) led by its Chairperson Remedios Rikken; the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) represented by Prof./Atty. Amparita Sta. Maria, Atty. Ryan Quan and Atty. Jay-mie Reyes; and media expert and academician Sr. Consolata Manding, FSP. On 16 June 2014, ABS-CBN was able to submit the required sworn undertaking. And on 19 June 2014, Chairperson Vil-lareal visited the PBB complex for a further consideration of best practices and remedies to avoid the controversy. This resulted, among others, in the imposition by PBB of an SPG advisory for one of its later episodes as a means of self-regulation and the introduction of more edifying and family-friendly episodes.◘

a.) categorically stating the learning/lesson constitutes the objective of any task or challenge right before it begins, with due regard for gender-sensitivity, over-all audience-sensitivity, and respect for the dignity of the human person; and b.) holding a comprehensive “closing out” discussion after the completion of each task or challenge for the welfare of the viewing public as well as the participating housemates whose appearance and treatment in television is of primary interest to viewers;

ABS-CBN Legal Counsel and appointed Gender Focal Person Atty. Mona Lisa Manalo.

From Left to Right: PCW Chairperson Remedios Rikken, Sr. Consolata Manding, and AHRC Prof./Atty. Amaparita Sta. Maria.

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MTRCB Promotes PWD Sensitive Media in a Forum with Media Practitioners

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) joins in a forum for Persons with Disability (PWDs) together with the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC), National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), and Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) on 30 June 2014 at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City.

The forum, which was entitled “Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Sensitivity Dia-logue with Media Practitioners,” brought together almost fifty (50) media practi-tioners and members of different PWDs organizations and advocates. The forum was organized to raise awareness on the issues and concerns confronting Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and to further call for action towards improvement of their portrayal in media by recognizing the rights of PWDs in the country. MTRCB Chairperson Eugenio “Toto” Villareal discussed about PWD sensitivity in movies and television programs. Chair Toto identified some of the relevant

laws protecting the welfare of PWDs in media especially on how they should be portrayed in movies and TV programs. He also emphasized the continuing advocacy of MTRCB to protect the welfare of vulnerable sectors, particularly the PWDs through partnership and collaboration with other organizations and institutions. Other distinguished speakers were Ronnel del Rio of the Philippine Coalition on the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) and NCDA Acting Executive Director Carmen Reyes Zubiaga who both gave a situationer of PWDs in Media; and Former UP College of Law Dean and now PDI Publisher Raul Pangalangan who discussed about PWD’s Issues and Concerns in Print Media. The said forum was also attended by the MTRCB Monitoring and Inspection Unit (MIU) team as part of their special project to build awareness of the chal-lenges facing people with disability and to further integrate in their monitoring and inspection tools the factors that may lead or contribute to negative portrayal or stereotyping of people with disabilities in media.

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Chair Toto with Philippine Coalition UN CRPD Ronnel del Rio and Former UP College of Law Dean and now PDI Publisher Raul Pangalangan.

MTRCB’s Matalinong Panonood Flies to the City in Bloom, Davao City

Following the land-based travel of the MTRCB team to La Union, another group of Board Members and staff flew to Da-vao City to continue its endeavour of empowering the Filipino audience through its conduct of different activities. The MTRCB team started the activity with radio guestings at Radio GMA, Win Ra-dio and UMBN Radio where each Board Member gave mini talk on the empower-ment activities of the agency and explaining in brief the meaning of each movie and television rating. On 28 June 2014, a forum was conducted at the University of Mindanao (UM) with the participation of 300 students and faculty members. It was immediately followed with another forum at the Ateneo De Davao University with 180 students formed part of the audience. MTRCB Board Members at Radio GMA See Next Page

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Both group of audience from the two universities drew hearty responses to the lengthy yet meaty discussion and open forum on the revised movie and television ratings system. They also en-joyed the mini acting workshop facilitated by BM Gladys Reyes. Other Board Members in attendance were Eric Mallonga who discussed the Powers and Functions of MTRCB and its Basic Guiding Principles; Liezl Martinez and Joey Romero explained the Revised Classification Ratings for Movies and Television; and Krip Yuson on the Review Process. The activity also material-ized with the technical assistance and coordination of the MTRCB staff. ◘

Board Members Eric Mallonga, Joey Romero and Krip Yuson at the Ateneo de Davao University.

The MTRCB also conducted a cinema monitor-ing and inspection at SM Lanang and Gaisano Mall.

←MTRCB Board Members called the attention of Gaisano Mall for not exhibiting the required color-coded standee. A notice will be sent to Gaisano Mall for appropriate legal action.

MTRCB Brings Matalinong Panonood to Fox International Channels

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) con-ducted another Matalinong Panonood Forum: Para sa Pamilya nina Juan at Juana for the private sector at Fox International Channels on 10 June 2014. Chairman Eugenio “Toto” Villareal led the team composed of Board Mem-bers Manet Dayrit, Atty. Gaby Concepcion, Liezl Martinez, and Jay Re-vestir. Chair Toto discussed the Basic Guiding Principles relevant to MTRCB’s mandate and function, as well as the Revised Classification Rat-ing for Television. The forum continued with MTRCB’s regular practice of engagement and collaborative activities with Cable TV owners and content providers for the promotion of a value-based media and empowered media viewership.◘

The MTRCB team with Fox Sr. Manager Gla-dys Jacinto and Fox General Manager Jude Turcuato,

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Chairman Villareal Holds Talks On Matalinong Panonood in an Online Content Regulation Workshop

Chairmain Eugenio Villareal participated as a lecturer in the 3rd Online Content Reg-ulation Workshop series billed as Policing Borderless Shores. The workshop was held on 6 June 2014 at the Peninsula Manila. It was organized by Quisumbing Torres, a member firm of Baker and McKenzie International, through its Academy on Social Media and the Law. The workshop invited key industry practitioners to discuss how regulatory issues in online content administration are dealt with in their respective fields.

Speaking also as a member of the academe, Chair Villareal stressed that "although MTRCB’s jurisdiction is primarily over motion pictures, tele-vision programs and publicity materials, we have also taken the steps to-wards where it will be easy for us to approach the matter of online con-tent." Together with Chair Villareal were other key industry practitioners, who also discussed how regulatory issues in online content administra-tion are dealt with in their respective fields, such as Yahoo Philippines Country Manager and Editor Kate Delos Reyes, Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (FilSCAP) General Manager Atty. Mark Thursday Alciso, and Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) Chairperson Atty. Marivic Benedicto.◘

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MTRCB Partners with Alliance for the Family Foundation Philippines (ALFI) for the Promotion of Filipino Family Values

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and the Alliance for the Family Foundation Philippines (ALFI) have joined to-gether to promote and preserve Filipino family values through film and tele-vision programming. With this partnership, MTRCB will be represented by a regular weekly guest (through its Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Board Members, and/or offic-ers and staff) in the TV program Life, which is being aired over Global News Network (GNN).

Both parties have the common objective of empowering the Filipino family by way of promoting and preserving Filipino values. Both also recognize the crucial role of movie and television in the value formation of every Filipino family, especially in terms of moral development and character well-being of the youth. The first of the eight (8) episodes of Life, which started on 7 June 2014, had Chair-man Eugenio “Toto” Villareal as its guest. Hosting the show was former Penthouse Seven dancer and T.O.D.A.S. comedienne Marlyn Feliciano. Subsequent episodes will feature MTRCB Board Members who will discuss issues and concerns relating to television, movies, and its rating system.◘

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MTRCB Conducts Matalinong Panonood para sa Pamilya nina Juan at Juana in La Union

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) team took a long but exciting travel to La Union to bring the Matalinong Panonood Para sa Pamilya nina Juan at Juana in two universities of the province.”

On 20 June 2014, the MTRCB team begun its forum in the Audio Visual room of Don Marianao Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) in North Campus Bacnotan, La Union with 200 students participated in the event. DMMMSU President Benjamin P. Sapitula, together with the students, gracious-ly welcomed the MTRCB delegates. President Sapitula said that the whole DMMMSU community was honored to have been visited by MTRCB. On the same day, a forum was also conducted in Lorma Colleges in the city of San Fernando with almost 800 students filled the gymnasium of the campus. The MTRCB team composed of Board Members Jackie Aquino, Francia Con-rado, Mario Hernando, Jay Revestir, and Ricardo Salomon had their own share in the discussion of the movie and television classification system, as well as, the accomplishments and achievements of the MTRCB. During the open forum, the students asked several questions relevant to the discussion which were appropri-ately addressed by the team. The MTRCB also paid a courtesy visit to La Union Governor Manuel C. Ortega.

Governor Ortega warmly welcomed the Board Members and Staff in his modernly designed office situated in the Provin-cial Capitol in San Fernando City, which was also named as the “People’s Capitol.” Thereafter, the team proceeded to DSI Mall to conduct theater inspec-tion. Two (2) out of its three (3) cinemas were operational. The Matalinong Panonood activities in La Union ended with a radio guesting at DZNL (Aksyon Radyo San Fernando 783 AM) where the Board Members briefly discussed the revised ratings and classification system for film and television, its importance and effect to the viewing public.◘

Top: Matalinong Panonood Forum at DMMMSU. Bottom: Matalinong Panonood Forum at Lorma Colleges

Left: MTRCB BM Ricardo Salomon and staff Delia Baldo during the theater inspection at DSI Mall. Right: BM Jay Revestir during the radio guesting at DZNL.

MTRCB on Let’s Talk at INC TV

As part of its continuous information dissemination about the movie and television ratings system and implementing rules and regulations, MTRCB participated in a lively discussion in the Iglesia Ni Cristo Television’s (INC TV) talk show, Let’s Talk. Aside from discussing the rating system, Chairman Eugenio Villareal also lectured on recent issues and concerns in the movie and television industry. The activity was followed by a get-together with INC officers as part of MTRCB’s program of active engagement with industry stakeholders. ◘

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On 24 June 2014, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pasig entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which took place at the Bishop’s Residence, Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Pasig City. This partnership is a significant step being the first MoU made by the MTRCB with such a faith-based entity. The MoU aims to establish a strong partnership and to strengthen coordination efforts to fulfill the State’s primordial policy of promoting and protecting the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being of the youth and of protecting the family in the area of film and television classifica-tion.

Both parties committed to collaborate and initi-ate programs relating to public information and media literacy activities to empower the public, especially the parents, toward having informed decisions on the choice of motion pictures or television programs that children may watch. Furthermore, the Diocese of Pasig undertakes to provide adequate venue and resources to enable the MTRCB to reach out to the viewing public, to the grassroots level, to raise public awareness on the importance and proper dis-cernment of the different classification ratings for movies and television programs. Present during the event were MTRCB Chairman Eugenio Villareal, together with Board Members Jackie Aquino, Pat Binungcal, Mario Hernando, Liezl Martinez, Cecilia Nubla, and Jay Revestir. The Diocese of Pasig was led by His Excel-lency, Most Revd. Mylo Hubert C. Vergara, D.D., Bishop of Diocese of Pasig and Chairman of Catholic Bishops Confer-ence of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Social Communications, with lay people and priests among the different churches within the Diocese of Pasig. The event culminated with an open forum with various issues and concerns raised by the audience. This paved the way to a meaningful discussion of the specific services and offerings expected by both parties under the MoU, as well as the “Matalinong Panonood nina Juan at Juana” and other developmental activities initiated by the MTRCB. The MoU signing was successfully executed under the supervision of MTRCB Board Member Revestir with the active coordination and participation of Fr. Joselito Jopson, Media Minister of the Diocese of Pasig.◘

The Diocese of Pasig Partners with the MTRCB

Address MTRCB Building No. 18, Timog Avenue, Quezon City

Phone 376-7380/376-7383

Email admin@mtrcb.gov.ph

Website mtrcb.gov.ph

Fax 376-7386/376-7379

MTRCB Chair Eugenio Villareal and Dio-cese of Pasig Bishop Most. Revd. Mylo Vergara.

Family Picture with the MTRCB Board led by Chairman Villareal and Bishop Mylo Vergara with priests from different churches within the diocese.