MTRCB contention vs ‘PBB’ goes beyond ‘bromance’
More than the perceived “bromance” between two male housemates of “Pinoy Big Brother 737” (PBB), the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) said the reality show has “disturbing scene” and “flirtatious talks and actions” involving minor housemates.
This was contained in the “supplemental summons” letter to PBB officials released by the MTRCB on Friday.
MTRCB has earlier summoned PBB officials for a “developmental conference” on July 9 at 2 p.m. at its office in Quezon City after it received “numerous feedback and complaints” about the reality show.
READ: MTRCB summons PBB execs amid bromance controversy
“In the past days, we have monitored numerous complaints and concerns over social media not only into the alleged bromance between an 18-year-old housemate and his 12-year-old counterpart, but also disturbing scenes involving minor housemates, both male and female, closely huddled together, and engaging in flirtatious talk and actions,” the censors board said in its latest letter.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines “bromance” an “affectionate but non-sexual relationship between two men.”
Article continues after this advertisementIt cited an episode on June 23 where the alleged “bromancers,” 18-year-old Karlo Lorenzo “Kenzo” Gutierrez and 12-year-old Bailey Thomas May were caught holding hands as if they were a “romantic couple.”
Article continues after this advertisementIt pointed out another incident wherein gay teen housemate Ryan Bacalla asked a male housemate if he could be his mistress.
“It appears that the program has been compromising the fragile personalities of the minor housemates, threatening their personal and moral development,” the summon letter read.
MTRCB said it expects that ABS-CBN, “through their authorized and competent representatives” would present their side during the conference.
In a statement released on Friday, ABS-CBN management condemned “irresponsible netizens who maliciously take screenshots from the program’s livestream and weave a narrative that is not only far from truth but also attempts to put the housemates in a bad light.”
The management said it has shut down its 24/7 free livestreaming “to safeguard the welfare of the housemates.” NC/IDL
READ: ABS-CBN condemns ‘PBB’ controversy, shuts down livestreaming
