MTRCB affirms ‘X’ rating as its Final Decision for ‘Dear Santa’

 

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."

 

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,” MTRCB Chairperson and CEO Lala Sotto-Antonio clarified.

 

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,” the Board said.