Ben Madilynn
Pinal na ang X-rating ng pelikulang Dear Santa mula sa Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
Ito ay ayon sa pahayag ng ahensiya na inilabas ngayong Biyernes ng hapon, September 6, 2024.
Kahit iniba na ang titulo nito, mula Dear Satan at ginawang Dear Santa, hindi pa rin ito pinalusot ng MTRCB.
Ibig sabihin, hindi maaaring ipalabas sa commercial theaters ang pelikulang pinagbibidahan ni Paolo Contis.
Iginiit ng ahensiya na ang paglalarawan ng pelikula kay Satanas sa positibong paraan ay isang pag-atake sa paniniwala ng mga Katoliko at Kristiyano.
Saad sa pahayag, “The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) on Thursday upheld its final decision to ban the film “Dear Santa,” originally titled “Dear Satan,” citing the film’s portrayal of “Satan” in a positive light as an attack on fundamental belief of the Catholic and Christian faiths.
“The film “Dear Santa” was earlier given an X rating as it was found violative of Presidential Decree No. 1986, Chapter IV, Section F, Subsection (c). Pursuant to the said provision, the MTRCB shall prohibit the exhibition of “(s)uch motion pictures, television programs, and related publicity materials or advertisements thereof, that in the judgement of the Board, clearly constitute an attack against any race, creed, or religion.”
Pinalalabas umano ng pelikula na ang demonyo ay maaaring maging mabuti, taliwas sa mga turo ng Katoliko at Kristiyano.
Pahayag ni MTRCB Chairperson and CEO Lala Sotto-Antonio, “The Committee that reviewed the film found that the material depicts Satan as capable of transformation, saying it is a distortion of Catholic and Christian teachings. The review committee said the film’s narrative, which presents the possibility of Satan being redeemed, is deceiving to the eyes of the viewers.
“At the MTRCB, we operate under a Committee system, which thoroughly reviews each movie based on established guidelines in accordance to our charter.”
Pinanindigan din ng ahensiya na bilang isang regulatory body, kailangan nilang balansehin ang pangkultura at moral na paniniwala ng mga Pilipino.
Umaasa rin silang maging gabay ito sa iba pang mga gumagawa ng pelikula.
Pagtatapos nila, “The Board emphasized that as a regulatory body, it has to strike a balance between upholding the cultural and moral values of the Filipinos and the right to freedom of expression.
“May these guidelines serve as a reminder to our filmmakers. While we are fully supportive of our movie and television industry, the MTRCB is mandated by PD 1986 to uphold and promote respect for Filipino cultural values.”
Lala Sotto justifies first X rating of Dear Satan/Dear Santa
Sa Senate hearing ng budget ng MTRCB noong September 3, 2024, tinanong ng committee chair na si Senator Jinggoy Estrada si Lala tungkol sa Dear Satan.
Ayon kay Sotto, hindi umano katanggap-tanggap ang pelikulang Dear Satan, bilang isang Kristiyano.
Ito ay kahit na isang fiction ang Dear Satan, na tungkol sa isang batang aksidenteng humiling kay Satanas, sa halip na kay Santa Claus.
Ipinapakita raw kasi sa pelikula na may angking kabaitan si Satanas, pero para kay Sotto, “Satan will never ever be good.”
Aniya, “Again, Mr. Chairman, it was also found to be violative of the Presidential Decree of 1986.”
Tanong pa ni Estrada, “I’m just curious, what is the content of the movie?”
Sa puntong ito ay sumingit si Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairperson Joey Reyes, na isa ring film director.
Sabay kasing dininig ng Senado ang budget ng MTRCB at FDCP.
Ipinaliwanag niya ang kuwento ng pelikula.
Saad niya, “Can I say something there, Chair?
“That was part of a Mowelfund workshops script.
“The idea was a little girl was writing to Santa Claus, but she misspelled Santa for Satan, and it was Satan who received her wish, her wishlist for Christmas.
“So, Satan came to life and went to the little girl and was humanized by the little girl in the process.
“Nangangahulugan na nagkamali yung spelling ng bata na sulat niya Dear Satan instead of Dear Santa.
“At nabuhay si Satan, and then Satan went to the little girl, and Satan was taught love by the little girl.”
Hindi pa raw ito naipapalabas sa publiko dahil sa X rating.
Pagkumpirma ni Sotto, “No, Mr. Chairman, it was given an X rating.
“They have not appealed yet, but it has been found to be violative of the Decree of 1986.”
Napanood na raw ng MTRCB chairperson ang pelikula, at nag-a-agree siya sa desisyon ng mga nag-review nito.
Saad niya, “I have seen the film. I joined the board. I am offended as a Christian.”
Tinanong ni Estrada kung “demonic” ba ang dating ng pelikula.
Tugon ni Sotto, “No, it is not demonic, but it is a depiction of, it has a different depiction of Satan becoming good.
“Satan will never ever be good.”
