‘R-16’ fills gap in MTRCB rating
THE MOVIE and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has come up with a revised classification system for films, which now includes an R16 rating.
The new rating system took effect last Sept. 1 pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 082012, according to Grace PoeLlamanzares, former chair of the MTRCB.
(Llamanzares recently resigned from the board to run for the Senate. Vice-chair Emmanuel Borlaza has been designated as MTRCB officer-in-charge).
There used to be five ratings for movies: General Audience (G), which means all ages are admitted; PG-13, children below 13 years old should be accompanied by an adult; R-13, strictly for 13 years and older; R-18, strictly for 18 years and older, and X, not for public viewing.
Difference
Llamanzares told the INQUIRER that the board saw a need to address a “gap” in the rating system. She explained: “While some R-18 films may be too ma- ture for teenagers ages 13 to 15, 16-year-olds may be ready to watch them.”
She cited the Oscar-winning film “Black Swan” as an example: “Although it’s artistic and critically acclaimed, we received complaints that it might be too daring for teeners.”
She also noted that some Filipino indie films often got R-18 ratings though high-school students were now more than equipped to view them.
R-16 could make a world of difference for stakeholders.
Consultations
The board conducted public consultations with industry leaders, TV and movie executives, child welfare advocates and psychologists, as well as a media representative from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
“Two major consultations, along with a series of pocket meetings, were held prior to the revision of the classification system,” Llamanzares related.
Among those consulted were filmmakers Brillante Mendoza and Joel Lamangan, scriptwriter Bibeth Orteza, industry stal-