MTRCB, hindi pumayag sa pampublikong pagpapalabas ng “The Carpenter’s Son”

ALAM MO NA!
ni Nonie Nicasio

DAHIL sa paglapastangan at pangungutya sa mga paniniwalang pangrelihiyon, binigyan ng Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) ng X rating ang banyagang pelikulang “The Carpenter’s Son.”

Bigong tugunan ng “The Carpenter’s Son” ang mga eksenang lumabag sa pamantayan ng MTRCB hinggil sa paggalang sa pananampalataya.

Parehong niredyek ng Ahensiya ang dalawang bersiyon ng pelikula. Batay ang desisyon sa mga probisyon ng 2004 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) ng Presidential Decree No. 1986, Article 201 ng Revised Penal Code, at Presidential Decree No. 960 — mga batas na nagtatakda ng pamantayan sa prestihiyo, paggalang sa relihiyon, at pagbabawal sa mga eksenang iniinsulto ang moralidad at kulturang Filipino.

Sa unang ribyu, nilabag ng pelikula ang 2004 IRR ng PD No. 1986, Chapter IV, Section 1(f), subsection (c), na nagsasaad na ang isang materyal ay hindi angkop sa publiko kung ito ay “hayagang umaatake sa anumang lahi, kredo o relihiyon.”

Ayon sa Komite, “The film’s non-canonical and horror-oriented depiction of the childhood of Jesus Christ may be perceived as blasphemous or highly offensive to the predominantly Catholic population in the Philippines. Drawing from a Gnostic text regarded as heretical, the narrative portrays Jesus/The Boy as rebellious, malicious, or seemingly under demonic influence or spiritual attack — elements that significantly diverge from core Christian doctrines. The use of sacred religious figures and themes for ‘gonzo horror’ purposes may be interpreted as a direct affront to religious sensibilities.”

Pinagtibay ng ikalawang Komite ang unang X rating. Sabi nito: “After reviewing the themes and depictions in The Carpenter’s Son, the Committee has classified the film as ‘X’ because specific content violates established standards on decency, respect for religious beliefs and public morals as set forth in Philippine law and the MTRCB IRR. This decision does not curtail artistic freedom but fulfills the Board’s duty to provide reasonable protection for minors, cultural values and deeply-held religious beliefs in a predominantly Christian country.”

Idiniin din ng Komite na: Una, batay sa MTRCB IRR ng PD No. 1986, rated X ang isang materyal kung “it offends any race, nation, or religion; tends to undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government or duly constituted authority; is immoral, indecent, contrary to law and good customs; or is otherwise injurious to the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines.”

Pangalawa, nalabag din ang Presidential Decree No. 960. “The material was found to contain depictions of mutilation, destruction, defilement or disrespect of objects of religious veneration; and, acts notoriously offensive to the feelings of the faithful.”

Sinabi rin ng Komite na nalapastangan at naabuso ang mga simbolo o ritwal na panrelihiyon, paggamit ng imaheng panrelihiyon sa kontekstong seksuwal, karahasan at paglalantad ng banal na imahen sa paraang maaaring ituring na sinadyang paghamak at hindi lehitimong artistikong interpretasyon.

Pangatlo, ipinagbabawal ng Article 201 ng Revised Penal Code ang “immoral or indecent exhibitions” at content na nakasisira sa imahen ng bawat relihiyon.

Pinagtibay ng Komite ang X rating dahil sa mga sumusunod na depiksyon: 1. Profoundly offend or ridicule religious beliefs, violating MTRCB IRR provisions; 2. Commit acts notoriously offensive to the feelings of the faithful, as defined by PD 960; 3. Show obscene or immoral exhibitions offensive to religion, under Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code. 

“This decision is rooted in the Board’s mandate to balance artistic freedom with the protection of the cultural and spiritual values of the Filipino public, especially in a predominantly Christian nation,” sabi sa report.

Kamakailan, dalawang beses na-X ang “Dreamboi” bago nabigyan ng R-18 sa ikatlong bersiyon nito.

Muling binibigyang-diin ng MTRCB na ang X rating ay hindi pagsikil sa artistikong pagpapahayag, kundi pagtalima sa mandato ng Board sa ilalim ng mga umiiral na batas upang matiyak na ang mga pampublikong palabas ay hindi lumalabag sa mga pamantayan ng moralidad at paggalang sa relihiyon.