MOVIE AND TELEVISION REVIEW AND CLASSIFICATION BOARD

MTRCB NewsletterMTRCB Newsletter

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014

Matalinong Panonood Campaign 2014 Kicks Off with Arriba! Spirit

Dualtech Training Center Welcomes Matalinong Panonood

MTRCB Shows Sonata

MTRCB Streamlines Deputy Applications

Chairperson Villareal Talks at the Media Literacy and Ethics Symposium

MTRCB in Radyo Veritas’ Citizenship By Good Example

MTRCB Officials Re-appointed

MTRCB’s Mandate, Mission, and Vision

IN THIS ISSUE

To start the year 2014, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) started its Matalinong Panonood campaign at the Colegio De San Juan de Letran, located in Abucay, Bataan campus.

The “Matalinong Panonood” seminar was attended by High School and College students, faculty, and adminis-trators. The event coincided with Letran-Bataan’s 8th Foundation Week Celebration, with the theme Aiming Greater Heights @ 8. The MTRCB team was led by Chairperson Eugenio Vil-lareal, Board Members Jackie Aquino-Gavino, Mario Hernando, and Jay Revestir. They discussed the classifi-cation ratings on television and film, as well as shared insights on the best practices and programs initiated by

the Board. The students actively asked questions during the open forum. The Letran community expressed their heartfelt thanks to MTRCB for conducting the said activity, as Fr. Patri-cio Apa, O.P., Executive Vice President of Letran-Bataan (and the Philosophy teacher of Chairman Villareal in High School) said that “Through the Matalinong Panonood Seminar, our efforts to promote and preserve family values and the acquisition of a sound conscience among le-tranites have been generously aided by MTRCB’s own efforts as an institution that upholds true Filipino values and ideals.” The activity concluded with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass celebrated by Fr. Patricio Apa, O.P.◘

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. From Left to Right: BM Mario Hernando, Letran’s VP for Academic Affairs Dr. Lucita Villegas, BM Jackie Aquino-Gavino, Executive Vice President Fr. Patrcio Apa, O.P., Chairperson Eugenio Villareal, Letran’s Dean Dr. Nancy Balasan, MTRCB Consultant Agapito Burgos III, and BM Jay Revestir.

MTRCB Building No. 18, Timog Avenue,

Quezon City

376-7380/376-7383

mtrcb.gov.ph

admin@mtrcb.gov.ph

MATALINONG PANONOOD 2014 KICKS OFF WITH ARRIBA! SPIRIT

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DUALTECH TRAINING CENTER WELCOMES MATALINONG PANONOOD

An MTRCB team conducted a Media Literacy Seminar at Dual-tech Training Center in Binondo, Manila. Almost 100 scholars from the marginalized sectors of society became part of the activity, with Board Members discussing the rating system, programs, and best practices of MTRCB. Board Member Jose Antonio Veloso spoke on the Power and Functions of MTRCB. BM Mario Hernando’s topic was TV and Film Ratings. BM Robert Andrews discussed the Classification Ratings of Publicity Materials, Plugs, and Trailers and the Monitoring and Information Campaign on Public Exhibition in PUVs and other “mobile theaters.” Chairperson Toto Villareal exhorted the participants to engage in “media citizenship” so that they may become agent of change in the film and television industries. BMs Jackie Aquino Gav-ino, Robert Andrews, and Gladys Reyes led the Open Forum and exercise, wherein a short trailer was shown and partici-

pants were asked to rate the material. The Board Members were overjoyed at the attentiveness and active participation of the scholars. After the seminar, together with the students and faculty, the Board attended the Holy Mass officiated by Fr. Marni Sangles. The MTRCB team was also given a tour around the Center by Executive Director Joel Reyes and Professor Andy Malijan. Dualtech Training Center is a non-profit technical vocational school whose aim is to train scholars for employment in indus-trial firms. It is the pioneer in adapting the German Dual Train-ing System in the Philippines. Aside from training their scholars to be skilled and productive persons, part of the center’s mis-sion is to develop morally upright and enlightened citizens.◘

Upper Left: BM Jose Antonio Veloso as he discusses the Powers and Functions of MTRCB.

Upper Left: Dualtech Training Center Faculty and Administrators toured the MTRCB team around the Center.

Lower Left: BM Jose Antonio Veloso, Dulatech Executive Director Joel Reyes, BM Jackie Aquino-Gavino, BM Gladys Reyes-Sommereux, Chairperson Eugenio Villareal, BM Mario Her-nando, Dulatech Professor Andy Malijan, Dualtech Alumnus Jeremy Feria, and BM Robert Andrews.

MTRCB STREAMLINES DEPUTY APPLICATIONS

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For a more streamlined process on the appointment of MTRCB Deputies, the Board issued Memorandum Circular No. 14-2013, in accordance with the laws under Presidential Decree No. 1986 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. The memorandum enumerates the principles and guide-lines governing the appointment of deputies from the general public. Primarily, the memorandum circular also informs the general public that appointing deputies is purely discre-tionary. And that being a deputy is both a privilege and a responsibility. Any deputy of the Board can be desig-nated to perform tasks other than the usual inspection of theaters and moni-toring of films and television pro-grams. The Committee on Deputization stated: “The MTRCB is committed to its mandate of supporting the movie industry. The Agency is reducing its number of deputies from the general public to optimize the volume of pay-ing patrons to boost box office re-ceipts. This initiative will benefit not only the producers, but also distribu-tors, exhibitors, theatre operators, talents and other industry stake-holders. In so doing, we expect to see a revitalized movie industry, providing jobs once again to workers who have been displaced by its markedly dimin-ished output.” Further, due to the “Matalinong Panonood” Campaign and other devel-opmental initiatives, limiting the num-ber of deputies is justified, since more theaters, producers and other industry stakeholders are now practicing self-regulation. Executive Director Atty. Victori-ano S. Muring, Jr. shall serve as the focal person for any concerns and queries regarding the ap-pointment of MTRCB Deputies. The agency has set up a “drop box” at the MTRCB building lobby, where interested individuals, offices or or-ganizations can place their “expressions of interests” to become volunteer deputies subject to the screening and evaluation of the Committee on Deputization.◘

MTRCB SHOWS SONATA

MTRCB organized a film appreciation which showcased the film Sonata, an entry at the recent Sineng Pambansa All Masters Edition Film Festival entries. The special screening is in line with MTRCB’s objective to become an Independent Film Hub. The Board seeks closer collaboration with Filipino filmmakers in working together for superior choices of films for the benefit of audiences, filmmakers, and the film industry. The film showing was attended by the entire MTRCB Board, together with the renowned directors of Sonata: Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes. An open forum with the co-directors followed soon after the screening.◘

Below is a film review of Sonata written by MTRCB Board Member Marra PL. Lanot.

(Taken from The Philippine Star, 29 September 2013)

ALL SOUL By Marra PL. Lanot (The Philippine Star)

Manila, Philippines—Sonata is a love story. It’s not, however, in the fashion of trite romances or histri-onic telenovelas. No ear-splitting curses and slap-ping or irrational fits of jealousy disturb the senses. It’s a different kind of love story hardly shown in Filipino films. Regina Cardena (Cherie Gil), an interna-tionally known soprano who has lost her voice, drowns herself in despair and alcoholic drinks in the darkness of her room. People are afraid of her and call her madwoman. One day, her childhood chum and secretary Cora (Chart Motus), now separated from her husband, returns to Regina’s ancestral house with Cora’s 10-year-old son Jonjon (Chino Jalandoni). Soon, Jonjon is introduced to new friends like Ping (Joshua Pineda) and to the culture of Negros Occidental. Sonata juxtaposes light and shadow, day and night, fame and obscurity, wealth and pov-erty, leisure and labor, art and reality, family and community, sound and silence, life and death. And when loss happens, hope is not far behind. Why the title Sonata? Maybe in contrast to the opera, which requires grand production design and a full orchestra and powerful voices, a sonata can be played in a chamber to a small audi-ence, and appreciated even without words. Directors Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes do justice to the screenplay of Wanggo Gallaga. Everything in the film—from the brilliant acting of Cherie, Chart and Chino to the production design (Junjun Montelibano) and cinematography (Mark Gary) to the editing (Manet Dayrit) - shows the love between mother and child, between the natives and the province, and between friends, no matter the age gap and the class difference. When everything else fails, there’s no one to turn to but to one’s family and loved ones. When the world seems to crumble, you can pray and return to your hometown, to your roots and start over. When you want peace, you can listen to the stars. Sonata, a part of the recently-concluded Sineng Pambansa All-Masters Edition Film Festi-val of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), does all Filipinos proud. It gives the strong feel of Negros Occidental. It is all feeling without being mushy. It throbs with heart and soul. It is a voyage of remembering and moving on. It is one beautiful song to remember.

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CHAIRPERSON VILLAREAL TALKS AT THE MEDIA LITERACY AND ETHICS SYMPOSIUM

MTRCB IN RADIO VERITAS’ “CITIZENSHIP BY GOOD EXAMPLE”

After utilizing movie and television screens for its “Matalinong Panonood” cam-paign activities, the MTRCB is also relying on radio pro-grams to showcase its advo-cacy for public awareness. A Sunday show of Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB), Citi-

zenship by Good Example (CGE) advocates social involvement in nation building. It is hosted by Bro. Eric Esteba, S.J. of the Society of Jesus and Ms. Miriam Delos Santos, Director of Mission and Identity of Ateneo de Manila University and President of Heroic Leadership (HL) Philippines. The Board expresses its gratitude for being regularly fea-tured every third week of the month in Citizenship by Good Example (CGE). In each episode, MTRCB officers and staff share valuable insights and relevant information on the re-view process, Board rules and policies, as well as people empowerment initiatives and current activities. On February 16, 2014, Board Members Jacqueline Aquino-Gavino, Mario Hernando and Marra Pl. Lanot represented the Board in the program. Sr. Lines Salazar, FSP of the Daughters of St. Paul also participated in the discussion. As post-Valentine’s resource persons, they discussed “how love is being portrayed in media” — sharing stories on romantic love and all other kinds of love, and the differences in the way these are now presented as compared to past portrayals in movies.◘

What a joyful way to start 2014. Early in the year, the Board received the reappointment papers of the officials of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board! Congratulations to the reappointment of the following: Chairperson Eugenio H. Villareal, Vice Chairman Em-manuel H. Borlaza, Board Members: Robert A. An-drews, Jaime Alan Bengzon, Patrocinia D. Binungcal, Manuel R. Buising, Gabriela R. Concepcion, Francia C. Conrado, Fr. Nicasio D. Cruz, Marta Ines Dayrit, Tere-sita R. Daza, Noel R. Del Prado, Jacqueline Suzanne Aquino-Gavino, Carmencita A. Guerrero, Mario A. Her-nando, Marra PL. Lanot, Eric F. Mallonga, Liezl S. Mar-tinez, Ma. Carmen Musngi, Leah L. Navarro, Cecilia L. Nubla, Jay C. Revestir, Jose Romero IV, Bibeth Orteza, Milo M. Sogueco, Gladys R. Sommereux, Benedicto H. Tarnate Sr., Jose Antonio K. Veloso, Teresita B. Vil-larama and Alfred A. Yuson and Executive Director Vic-toriano S. Muring, Jr. Two former Board Members rejoined the Board. Ma. Lourdes Lilia E. Supnet was a formerly KBP President and Vice Chairperson of the Advertising Board of the Philippines. Atty. Ricardo Salomon was an MTRCB Board Member during the chairmanship of Armida Siguion-Reyna, Nicanor Tiongson, and Alejandro Roces. With the leadership and guidance of Chairman Villareal, expect more activities and programs geared towards achieving the goals of the MTRCB, inclusive of more value-based films and television programs and citizenry well-informed on the various aspect of media and enter-tainment.◘

MTRCB OFFICIALS RE-APPOINTED

On January 25, Chairperson Eugenio Villareal took part as the key note speaker in the Symposium on Media Literacy and Ethics organized by the Kalayaan College. Chairperson Villareal discussed among Communication Arts students, faculty, and officers the MTRCB rating system

and other pressing issues about the television and film industries. Chairman Villareal not only discussed about MTRCB but stu-dents were also interested in his discussion about the integration of media ethics, advertising and the future of Philippine Broad-casting system. Other speakers who joined Chairperson Villareal were Ms. Chary Diño of St. Paul University and Ms. Juliet Florenze Ca-baba of Zenith Optimedia.◘

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“MTRCB envisions a globally-competitive movie and television industries.”