The Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has added “R-16” to its classification system for locally-released films. The existing film ratings include “General” (G), “Parental Guidance” (PG), “R-13” and “R-18”. According to outgoing MTRCB chairperson Grace Poe-Llamanzares, this was agreed upon by the board after a series of consultations with filmmakers and psychologists.

“Nagpulong kami kasama sina Dr. Lourdes Carandang, Brillante Mendoza, Joel Lamangan. Kinonsulta namin sila kung makakabuti ba ito sa mga bata at sa industriya, at sila po ay sumuporta. Ngayon for every movie na ipapalabas, meron ng warning katulad sa TV. Pero una muna mga digital. Yung film kasi iba rin yun. Wala pa kaming budget,” she said in an interview with Push.com.ph last October 3.

Grace said that film distributors welcomed the more specific “R-16” advisory since there are certain mature films which get an “R-18” classification when it’s already acceptable for viewing of 16-year-olds. “They welcome it. Kasi para sa kanila may ibang mature na palabas na pag R-18 na, mas limitado ang audience pero nagingat lang tayo kaya ginawa nating R-18. Marami ng mga action na medyo violent ‘pag 16 years old pwede na mapanood.

On the other hand, there are also films that require censorship even if it banks on a good story concept. “Yung paborito kong example Black Swan kasi maganda yung pelikula. Malalim ang konsepto pero R-13 ang ginawa namin. Pero yung mga ibang nanay akala dahil Natalie Portman, ballet, akala nila [wholesome naman]. Yun pala ‘pag pinanood nila may lesbianism, patayan… Pwede yun pang 16 years old kasi more or less third or fourth year high school na yung anak mo. Pwede mo ng ipapanood sa kanila yun. Mas maiintindihan na.”

In the meantime, the daughter of the late Fernando Poe Jr. has already filed her certificate of candidacy for senator at the Commission on National Elections main office last October 2. She was accompanied by her mom Susan Roces. When asked what made her decide to join politics, Grace replied, “Hindi naging madali. Pero isa na rin sa intensyon ko, mapatuloy kahit papaano yung alaala ng dad ko bago siya mamayapa. Tinangka niyang manilbihan sa gobyerno sa malaking paraan. So nung nabigyan ako ng pagkakataoon dito sa MTRCB, nakita naman natin na ‘pag nandito ka marami kang magagawa. Pangalawa, yung kumpiyansa sa liderato ng ating pangulo (Benigno Aquino).”

Grace officially stepped down from her position as MTRCB chairperson early this week. While waiting for new appointment, the officer-in-charge will be Vice-chairman Emmanuel Borlaza, the director of hit movies in the ‘80s such as Bituing Walang Ningning, Kahit Wala Ka Na, and Blusang Itim among others.