MTRCB ‘alternative classroom’ in Ateneo

As part of its 30th anniversary, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) recently held a workshop/seminar at the Ateneo de Manila Law School in Rockwell, Makati.

The alternative classroom activity is one of the projects under the board’s “Matalinong Panonood Para sa Pamilya at Lipunan nina Juan at Juana” campaign.

The workshop, which was in line with the board’s “empowerment and developmental mandate,” was organized in cooperation with the Ateneo Law Student Council and Ateneo de Manila Law School dean, Sedfrey Candelaria.

MTRCB Chair Eugenio “Toto” Villareal explained that the activity gave “students an opportunity to learn from, and interact with, the board regarding relevant constitutional principles, media classification laws and the dynamics of media literacy and age-appropriate entertainment.”

In his talk, Villareal tackled the board’s basic guiding principles. Meanwhile, Board Member Jose Antonio Veloso discussed MTRCB’s powers and functions and Board Members Mario Hernando and Robert Andrews gave a talk on the revised ratings system. Ateneo alumnus and Board Member Robert Arevalo talked about an Atenean’s role in media.

Board Member Gladys Reyes facilitated the mini-workshop. “It was very successful,” Reyes recalled. “The students created and rate their own show.”

“We want to empower viewers, especially students, to be more discerning in watching TV programs and movies and to be more aware of the ratings system,” Villareal said. “Viewers constitute the most vital sector in the film and TV industries. Through these seminars, we hope that these young adults will learn to become good parents and effective catalysts for social change and development as well.”