MTRCB adds R-16 rating to films

 CEBU, Philippines - The Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has added the R-16 rating to its classification system for films, which includes “General” (G), “Parental Guidance” (PG), R-13 and R-18.

Outgoing MTRCB chair Grace Poe-Llamanzares said the Board came up with the new rating after discussions with psychologists and filmmakers regarding the welfare of young moviegoers. The development of the local movie industry was also considered.

“Masyado kasing malawak ang pagitan ng 13-year old at 18-year old. Para naman sa mga pelikulang hindi ganoon ka-mature ay pwedeng mapanuod pa rin ng mga mas bata ng kaunti. Mas mature ang nilalaman nito kaysa sa R-13,” Grace told Yahoo! Philippines OMG! and other members of the press on Wednesday, October 3.

Among the MTRCB board members who were consulted are filmmakers Brillante Mendoza and Joel Lamangan and psychologist Dr. Jaime Carandang. Llamanzares said the R-16 advisory will be shown before the screening of movies.

“Kinonsulta namin sila kung sa tingin ba nila ay makakabuti ito sa mga bata at industriya. Before every movie na ipapalabas, meron nang warning na ipapakita katulad ng nasa TV,” she said.

Llamanzares also shared that many sectors — filmmakers, producers and theatre companies — will benefit from the additional rating. This can also encourage filmmakers to do more movies for adolescents.

“They (cinemas) welcomed it kasi for them merong mga mature na pelikula na kapag R-18 na ay mas limitado ang mga audiences. Pero nag-iingat lang tayo kaya ginawa natin na R-18. Pero ngayon meron nang mga pelikula na medyo violent na kapag 16 years old, pwede nang mapanuod.”

She cited the movie “Black Swan” as a case in point. The movie, she explained, was classified R-13, but some scenes may be too mature for the R-13 audience.

“Yung “Black Swan,” magandang pelikula, malalim ang konsepto. Pero R-13 ang ginawa namin, so yung ibang mga nanay inakala na dahil Natalie Portman, ballet. Iyon pala kapag pinanuod mo may lesbianism, may patayan. Pwede iyon kapag 16 years old kasi more or less third year or fourth year na ang anak mo.” (FREEMAN)