Revised TV classifications launched by MTRCB
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) finally launched its revised Classification Ratings for Television on Oct. 5.
During the launch, which also marked the board’s 26th anniversary, MTRCB Chairperson Grace Poe-Llamanzares noted the current use of “General Patronage” and “Parental Guidance” advisories at the beginning of and during the shows. However, comparing it to “white noise,” Poe-Llamanzares said that “majority of our population hardly notice[s] it’s there, much less understand its significance and benefits.”
Poe-Llamanzares also mentioned the need for MTRCB to “utilize branding as well.”
“Nagkataong nagre-regulate kami ng TV and movie industry pero walang ka-appeal-appeal ang pagpi-prisinta ng ating mga regulations dito sa MTRCB. Kaya naisip nating gawin ‘to,” she explained.
As such, the new ratings are “General Patronage (G),” “Parental Guidance (PG)” and the yet to be implemented “Strong Parental Guidance (SPG).” More, the Board also included a “Disapproved for airing on television (X)” rating, which, unfortunately, was not discussed at the launch.
“I would like to stress that the SPG would not be launched yet until sufficient campaign has been accomplished. Because nakakatakot naman maglabas ng mas mature content sa TV na hindi pa naman naiintindihan ng publiko [kung] ano ba talaga ang ibig sabihin ng ating mga classification system,” Poe-Llamanzares said.
According to the Briefer of the Formal Launching of the Revised TV Classification Ratings, the advisories are "designed to empower parents to exercise caution and vigilance with the viewing habits of their children."
Poe-Llamanzares said that the new guidelines underwent “many hours of consultation” with representatives of the country’s TV networks because “our aim really is to have a fair consultation with the network community."
MTRCB board member and Chairman of Classification Ads Marta Ines Dayrit explained that the new advisories were conceptualized with the help of the TV networks and will be shown at the start of each program.
“We have the logo at the beginning together with a stinger, which we hope will have recall. The goal is that after a while of this being shown over and over, the parents, even when they’re walking around the house, when they hear that tune and when they see the MTRCB logo they[‘ll] know that that is their cue to check what the rating of the program is before their children would watch it, to see if it’s appropriate for them,” she said.
The descriptions are also done in English and Tagalog, “so hopefully more people would understand it,” said Dayrit.
“The ratings are color-coded. The colors are based on the [colors of the] MTRCB logo: green for G, blue for PG and red for SPG,” the board member explained.
She added that aside from the advisories at the beginning, pictograms will also be placed at the bottom right of the screen throughout the show, “Just in case the parents did not see the program from the very beginning… so that [they] can be guided accordingly.”
In addition to the revised classification, the MTRCB also gave a sneak peek of its new infomercial that will be launched soon.
According to filmmaker and board member Milo Sugueco, the strength of the infomercial is “parang binibigay namin ‘yung responsibility sa parents, hindi sa amin. ‘Yun naman talaga dapat ang frontline nung ating educational system – everything has to begin in the house.”
More, the MTRCB will also be launching the tagline, “Para sa matalinong panonood.”
Poe-Llamanzares explained, “Ang point doon, kasi ‘di ba, ‘pag sinabing MTRCB, censors. Hindi naman po. Age-classification lang po talaga itong MTRCB. Huwag po kayong matakot na magkakaroon ng SPG, mauurong ‘yung shows na mga SPG. Actually, kung nakakapasa siyang PG ngayon eh gano’n pa rin naman talaga.’
The new TV Classification Ratings will officially take effect beginning this month.
By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENAManila Bulletin
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