This is a petition against SELECTIVE CENSORSHIP.

In the light of the response of the Movie and Television Review Board (MTRCB) to a petition calling on the people behind Till I Met You to give explanation re the show’s 25, 26, 27, 28 October episodes because of the alleged “disregard of the institution of marriage” and “sexually teasing” themes, we hereby file this counter petition based on the following grounds:

1. MTRCB gave the episodes SPG and PG ratings. The Board has already reviewed the episodes before they were given clearance to air. Hence, why the need for an explanation from the producers, directors and writers? MTRCB should have the responsibility to explain to the public why the episodes in question found their way to primetime TV.

2. Google defines pornography as “printed or visual material containing the explicit description or display of sexual organs or activity, intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings” (Google). The controversial love scene in the backseat of the car in Till I Met You was tastefully and artistically executed. The actors repeatedly professed their love for each other all throughout. LOVE and PASSION were given emphasis. Clearly, it was an act of love as opposed to just having sex. Even if it was a love scene, there was not enough exposure of flesh nor was there a pumping act. The director obviously protected the actors as she was able to pull off a good balance of wholesomeness and sensuality, separating it from the bounds of pornography.

3. If you watched the entire scene up to the “morning after”, no way would you conclude that it was an apparent disregard of the institution of marriage.” The feeling of guilt was evident in the female character in order to send the message to the young that it was a wrong move. Then the couple emphasized the importance of marriage to “make things right.” Not to be missed is the fact that decision of the characters to get married was even before they engaged in premarital sex.

4. As for the bath tub scene, it was a realistic depiction of a couple on a honeymoon. The scene was even light and funny. Again, no show of flesh, only bare shoulders of the lady and upper body of the man. The argument on “sexually teasing” is clearly a matter of perception. It depends on the minds of the viewers. More of subjective than objective. There was no blatant display of suggestive acts.

5. Till I Met You is aired late in the evening. Its timeslot caters to adult and mature viewers—those who supposedly have the capacity to be more discerning. Granting there are young people who are watching the show, it is the responsibility of the parents to police them and process what they see. The MTRCB’s SPG rating is fair enough to remind them that. After all, SPG means STRONG PARENTAL GUIDANCE and STRIKTONG PATNUBAY NG MAGULANG AY KAILANGAN.

6. There are other tv shows which also have sexual themes. For instance, Magpahanggang Wakas which is aired on an earlier timeslot on primetime. Why was there no sanction on the steamy love scene on board a bangka aired on September 22? That was more sexually explicit than the car scene in Till I Met You. MTRCB can also look into Someone to Watch Over Me. Did the MTRCB before call out Passion de Amor and My Husband’s Lover, which were more daring? If we are going to raise the morality card, infidelity and same sex relationship must on the same page as premarital sex.

7. Since we are on the subject of morality and censorship, why can’t MTRCB censor shows with violence, crime and corruption themes too? Also, as we are at it, censorship on news, which contains killings and cussing of the President, is also required. It’s bad for young viewers too.

We invoke MTRCB to do the following: (1) Review process and guidelines and at the same time educate the public on how to properly observe its movies and tv shows classifications; (2) Review and sanction other shows which contain more explicit acts of sex and violence that can threaten the moral core of society, especially the young; and (3) Sanction personnel involved in the review and classification of the said episodes prior to their airing should TIMY be found violating the censorship policies.

NO TO SELECTIVE CENSORSHIP. YES TO BLANKET CENSORSHIP.

Thank you for your time and attention. We hope you can be one with us by signing this petition.