Movie and Television Review and Classification Board

MISSION

The MTRCB, as a Regulatory Board, aims to afford the public exemplary exhibitions of movie and television with the purpose of encouraging production of globally-competitive movies/exhibitions, which should be both entertaining and artistic, in order to raise the standard of art for the general public.

VISION

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board envisions to be of service to the Filipino public as a Movie and Television regulatory board, not only confined in review and classification but as a prime catalyst of change by helping the Movie and Television industry become globally competitive. The agency recognizes TV and Movie Media as indispensable tools for moral recovery and nation-building.

General Audience (“G”)

A “G” classification advises parents or supervising adults that the film is suitable for all audiences.

A film classified as “G” shall, in the judgment of the Board, meet the following criteria:

1.Theme – The film should not contain violence, threat, abuse, horror, or other themes that may cause fear or disturbance to a young child’s mind.

2.Language – The film may contain dialogue or other word representations beyond polite language, but profane, offensive, and sexually-suggestive language or gestures shall not be allowed.

3.Nudity – The film may contain occasional, as well as natural non-sexual nudity.

4.Sex – The film cannot contain and depict sexual activity.

5.Violence – The depiction of any violence must be mild, brief, infrequent, and unlikely to cause undue anxiety or fear to young children.

6.Horror – The depiction of horror and frightening scenes should be mild, brief, infrequent, and unlikely to cause undue anxiety or fear to young children.

7.Drugs – There shall be no depiction of, or reference to, prohibited drugs or their use.

Parental Guidance (“PG”)

PG Viewers below 13 years old must be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult. A “PG” classification advises parents or supervising adults that the film may contain any of the elements that may be suitable for children below 13 years of age.

A film classified as “PG” shall, in the judgment of the Board, meet the following criteria:

1.Theme – The film may contain themes that require parental supervision and guidance, but should not promote any dangerous, violent, discriminatory, or otherwise offensive behavior or attitude.

2.Language – The film may contain mild and infrequent swear words and menacing language. Offensive, menacing, threatening language and references to sex shall always be suitable for viewers who are below 13 years of age. Infrequent, brief and justifiable sexually-suggestive language may be allowed.

3.Nudity – The film may contain occasional, as well as natural non-sexual nudity.

4.Sex – The depiction of non-graphic sexual activity may be allowed, but it should be discreet, infrequent, and not prolonged.

5.Violence – The depiction of non-gratuitous violence and suffering should be minimal, and without graphic detail;.

6.Horror – The depiction of brief and infrequent horror and frightening scenes shall be allowed.

7.Drugs – There shall be no depiction of, or reference to, prohibited drugs or substances and their use.

Restricted–13 (“R-13”)

R-13 Only viewers who are 13 years old and above can be admitted. An “R-13” classification advises parents, supervising adults, or the would-be viewers themselves, that the film may contain any of the elements that may not be suitable for children below 13 years of age.

A film classified as “R-13” must, in the judgment of the Board, meet the following criteria:

1.Theme – The film may contain mature themes but is suitable for teenagers above 13 years of age, and shall not gratuitously promote or encourage any dangerous, violent, discriminatory, or otherwise offensive behavior or attitude.

2.Language – The film may contain moderate swear words and menacing language consistent with the context of the scene in which they are employed. The use of infrequent and non-vulgar strong swear words or sexually-derived or suggestive expletives and expressions as well as the use of swear words and expletives shall be allowed. The use of sexually-oriented or suggestive language and other references to sex shall always be suitable for viewers who are at least 13 years of age.

3.Nudity – The film may contain brief, discreet and justifiable occasional, natural and sexually-oriented nudity.

4.Sex – Discreet, infrequent, brief, non-graphic and justifiable sexual activity may be depicted.

5.Violence – Infrequent, non-gratuitous, non-graphic and justifiable violence may be allowed.

6.Horror – The justifiable depiction of horror, frightening scenes, and occasional gore are allowed.

7.Drugs – The brief, infrequent and justifiable depiction of drugs or their use may be allowed. The movie shall not in any case promote, condone, justify and/or encourage drug use.

Restricted–16 (“R-16”)

R-16 Only viewers who are 16 years old and above can be admitted. An “R-16” classification advises parents and supervising adults that the film may contain any of the elements that may not be suitable for children below 16 years of age.

A film classified as “R-16” must, in the judgment of the Board, meet the following criteria:

1.Theme – There are no restrictions on themes; provided that the treatment is appropriate for viewers who are at least 16 years of age.

2.Language – The film may use any kind of language.

3.Nudity – The film may contain discreet, non-gratuitous and justifiable natural and sexually-oriented nudity.

4.Sex – Non-graphic, non-gratuitous and justifiable sexual activity may be depicted.

5.Violence – Non-gratuitous and justifiable violence and gore may be allowed.

6.Horror – The non-gratuitous and justifiable depiction of horror, frightening scenes, and gore are allowed.

7.Drugs – The non-gratuitous and justifiable depiction of drugs or their use may be allowed. The movie shall not in any case promote, condone, and encourage drug use

Restricted-18 ("R-18")

R-18 Only viewers who are 18 years old and above can be admitted. An “R-18” classification advises viewers, parents, and supervising adults that the film may contain any of the elements that may not be suitable for children below 18 years of age.

An “R-18” rating does not mean that the film is “obscene”, “offensive”, or “pornographic,” as these terms are defined by law.

A film classified as “R-18” must, in the judgment of the Board, meet the following criteria:

1.Theme – There are no restrictions on themes and their treatment.

2.Language – The film may use any kind of justifiable language.

3.Nudity – The film may contain non-gratuitous and justifiable sexually-oriented nudity.

4.Sex – The realistic depiction of non-gratuitous and justifiable sexual activity may be allowed.

5.Violence – There are no restrictions on the depiction of non-gratuitous and justifiable

violence.

6.Horror – The justifiable depiction of horror, frightening scenes, and gore are allowed.

7.Drugs – The justifiable depiction of drugs or their use may be allowed. In no case, however, should the use of drugs be promoted, condoned, justified and/or encouraged.

Not for Public Exhibition (“X”)

X “X-rated” films are not suitable for public exhibition.

A film shall be disapproved for public viewing if, in the judgment of the Bard:

1.The average person, applying contemporary community standards and values, would find that the dominant theme of the work, taken as a whole appeals solely to the prurient interest and satisfies only the craving for gratuitous sex and/or violence.

2.The film depicts in a patently lewd, offensive, or demeaning manner, excretory functions and sexual conduct such as sexual intercourse, masturbation and exhibition of the genitals.

3.The film clearly constitutes an attack against any race, creed, or religion.

4.The film condones or encourages the use of illegal drugs and substances.

5.The film tends to undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government and/or duly-constituted authorities.

6.The film glorifies criminals or condones crimes.

7.The film is libelous or defamatory to the good name and reputation of any person, whether living or dead.

8.The film may constitute contempt of court or of a quasi-judicial tribunal, or may pertain to matters which are subjudicial in nature.

CLASSIFICATION RATINGS FOR MOVIES

MUSICAL FILMS

HORROR FILMS

Horror film is a genre that aims to create a sense of fear, panic, alarm, and dread for the audience. These films are often unsettling and rely on scaring the audience through a portrayal of their worst fears and nightmares. Horror films usually center on the arrival of an evil force, person, or event. Many Horror films include mythical creatures such as ghosts, vampires, and zombies. Traditionally, Horror films incorporate a large amount of violence and gore into the plot. Though it has its own style, Horror film often overlaps into Fantasy, Thriller, and Science-Fiction genres.

The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate "production numbers".

G

• Viewers of all ages are admitted.

PG

• Viewers below 13 years old must be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult.

R-13

• Only viewers who are 13 years old and above can be admitted.

R-16

• Only viewers who are 16 years old and above can be admitted.

R-18

• Only viewers who are 18 years old and above can be admitted.

X

• “X-rated” films are not suitable for public exhibition.

FILM CATEGORIES

ROMANTIC COMEDY FILM

ANIMATED FILM

A motion picture or television film consisting of a photographed series of drawings, objects, or computer graphics that simulates motion by recording very slight, continuous changes in the images, frame by frame.

Romantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. One dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily". Another definition states that its "primary distinguishing feature is a love plot in which two sympathetic and well-matched lovers are united or reconciled

Movie and Television Review and Classification Board

CLASSIFICATION RATINGS FOR MOVIES

is a Philippine government agency responsible for the classification and review of television programs, movies and home videos.