‘Balota,’ ‘Guilty Pleasure’ earn age-appropriate ratings from MTRCB

Marian Rivera’s “Balota” and Lovi Poe’s “Guilty Pleasure” earned age-appropriate classification from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). | Image: Facebook/GMA Network/Regal Films

Local and international films showing this week, including Marian Rivera’s “Balota” and Lovi Poe’s “Guilty Pleasure,” earned age-appropriate ratings from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

The Cinemalaya 2024 and 44th Hawaii International Film Festival entry “Balota” earned an R-13 (restricted-13) rating, meaning children 12 and below years of age are not allowed to watch the film.

Rivera, who won the Best Actress Award at the 20th Cinemalaya, assumes the lead role as “Emmy,” a teacher thrust into a dangerous situation.

Meanwhile, Poe’s “Guilty Pleasure” received an R-16 rating, meaning only those aged 16 and older are allowed to view the film.

“Guilty Pleasure” is a steamy legal drama that centers on Atty. Alexis Miranda (Poe) as she struggles between her profession and personal issues. The film sheds light on the reality of attaining justice in the country.

Meanwhile, “The Apprentice,” a political drama depicting the life of former US President Donald Trump as a real estate businessman, also earned an R-16 rating along with “Azrael,” an American action-horror film directed by E.L. Katz. 

Paramount’s horror film, “Smile 2,” earned an R-18 rating, allowing 18-year-olds and older to watch the film. 

A cross-cultural collaboration of Filipino and Japanese ingenuity that stars Pinoy Carlo Aquino and Japanese star Takehiro Hira, “Crosspoint,” was rated PG (Parental Guidance). 

Documentary films “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” and “Taeyong: TY both earned PG rating as well. 

MTRCB Chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio reminded parents that children must be accompanied and guided by adults in watching films under the PG ratings.

“As we enjoy the cinematic experience of every movie, parents should be prepared to discuss the ethics of actions portrayed and their real-world implications to their kids, so that children can understand the story of the film,” she said.