MTRCB clears ‘Alipato at Muog’ for viewing, maintains X rating for ‘Dear Santa’
Metro Manila, Philippines – A documentary about the forced disappearance of an activist supposedly under the hands of the military has been cleared for public viewing.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the Movie and Television Review Classification Board (MTRCB) said it reclassified the documentary “Alipato at Muog” from an X rating to R-16, allowing it to be shown in cinemas for viewers aged 16 and above.
It said a five-member review committee led by Maria Gabriela Concepcion concluded that “a more mature viewer is necessary to understand, dissect, and grapple with the serious issues presented in this documentary.”
RELATED: MTRCB defends ‘X’ rating on ‘Alipato at Muog’ and ‘Dear Satan’
In upholding the committee recommendation, the MTRCB said it “considered the importance of balancing the interests not only of the constitutionally protected right to freedom of expression with the state’s interest in maintaining public order and integrity.”
It said, “While the Board supports academic film showings... public exhibition of films in the academe still falls under the jurisdiction of the MTRCB.”
In a Facebook live, director JL Burgos expressed gratitude, calling the clearance a “huge victory for the people.”
Before the decision, Burgos and a number of supporters protested in front of the MTRCB office in Quezon City that called for the reclassification of the film.
“Alipato at Muog” tells the story of the 2007 enforced disappearance of Burgos’s brother, Jonas, during the Arroyo administration.
JL and Jonas are sons of the late Jose “Joe” Burgos, an esteemed journalist and former publisher of Malaya and was named one of the world’s “50 Press Freedom Heroes” of the 20th century.
Jonas remains missing to this day.
‘Dear Santa’ X rating stays
Meanwhile, the MTRCB upheld its X rating for “Dear Santa” despite the title change from “Dear Satan.”
The board cited Presidential Decree 1986, which prohibits films that attack “any race, creed, or religion.”
“Dear Santa” tells the story of a young girl who accidentally writes a letter to Satan instead of Santa Claus. The narrative presents a fictional portrayal of Satan, depicting him as capable of redemption. The MTRCB said it found this problematic.
The review committee said it found the portrayal of Satan’s redemption “a distortion of Catholic and Christian teachings” and “deceiving to the eyes of the viewers.”
The MTRCB noted its duty to balance cultural and moral values with freedom of expression.
“May these guidelines serve as a reminder to our filmmakers,” the MTRCB said, reiterating its mandate under PD 1986.
Mavx Productions has yet to issue a statement about the restriction. In August, the production team apologized for any offense caused by the original title.
