November 1, 2025 | 2:54pm
MANILA, Philippines — The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) is summoning Viva Communications Inc. to a dialogue regarding foul comments directed at the agency.
The incident stems from a viral video showing a content creator lambasting the agency at the premiere of “Dreamboi,” Viva’s entry to the inaugural CineSilip Film Festival.
The MTRCB said found the remarks “disrespectful to the institution and to the people behind the Board’s work.”
In a statement issued last October 31, the agency announced it had sent a letter to Viva president Vincent Del Rosario last week for a meeting to “promote mutual understanding and responsible conduct in public events.”
“In line with our ‘Responsableng Panonood’ campaign and our vision for healthy collaborative practices with our stakeholders, we would like to invite you for a dialogue on the said report,” the MTRCB said in its letter.
@tatakpelikula Sassa Gurl: “Tang*na niyo MTRCB.” LOOK: Content creator and actor #SassaGurl, minura ang MTRCB during the premiere of the film Dreamboi. The movie received a Rated X twice before it was finally given an R-18 rating. #Dreamboi is an official entry to this year’s CineSilip Film Festival. Starring Tony Labrusca, EJ Jallorina, Jenn Rosa. #tonylabrusca @Sassa Gurl ? original sound – TatakMNL | Tatak Pelikula
“While we respect freedom of expression, the Agency views with serious concern the use of language that undermines respect for public institutions and the standards governing film classification,” it added.
The dialogue is currently dated for Tuesday, November 4, which the agency reiterated will be a “venue for constructive discussion and reinforce the importance of professionalism and accountability within the entertainment industry.”
Although the MTRCB did not mention the content creator in question, a video of Sassa Gurl — who appears in “Dreamboi” — cursing the agency is making the rounds after the agency initially issued an X-rating for the film.
It took two more appeals for the “Dreamboi” team before the MTRCB ultimately gave “Dreamboi” an R-18 rating.
“Dreamboi” went on to dominate the CineSilip Awards including wins for Best Film, Best Director for Rodina Singh, Best Supporting Actor for Migs Almendras, the Audience Prize, and four craft awards.
RELATED: AiAi delas Alas revokes ex-husband Gerald Sibayan’s green card application
