Kakampi at hindi kontrabida sa entertainment industry… Chair LALA, aminadong kuripot at matipid kaya malaki ang savings ng MTRCB

PANANAW ni MTRCB Board Member Nestor Cuartero, maganda talaga ang relasyon ngayon ng MTRCB sa mga taga-industriya ng pelikula at telebisyon.

Napagsama-sama ng MTRCB sa isang patalastas ang stakeholders, kabilang ang producers, mga artista, at ang First Family.

“I think really, it’s important to really work together,” pahayag ni MTRCB Chairperson Diorella Maria “Lala” Sotto-Antonio noong Pebrero 4, 2026, nang mag-courtesy call ang Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd).

“And encourage again the Filipino families to go back to the cinemas and enjoy that communal experience with their loved ones.”

Hindi na raw “kontrabida” ang imahe ng MTRCB sa mga taga-entertainment industry?

“Hindi masyado!” sambit ni Chair Lala.

“Iyon talaga ang tingin nila sa amin. Pero kami, alam namin dito sa loob — na kami ay allies.

“But hindi naman maiiwasan to feel that way and, you know, everybody’s entitled to think what they want to.
Natanong din kung power ba silang i-amend ang by-laws ng Movie and Television Review and Classification Board?
“We have the power to make a few changes in the IRR [Implementing Rules and Regulations] siguro,” tugon ni Chairperson Lala Sotto.
“By the memorandum circulars. But we cannot change the law. Kinakailangan ng amendment to the charter.
“We don’t have that power. That power belongs solely to the House of Representatives and the Senate to be approved by the President.
“Kung may gustong baguhin, ginagawa lang namin sa abot ng aming makakaya. Nagpapasa kami ng mga memorandum circular and board resolutions.
“Pero yung talagang pakikialaman ang batas? Hindi puwede. Kinakailangan ng amendment to the charter.”
May nananawagan ding i-abolish na lang daw ang MTRCB, puwede ba iyon?
“Puwede naman kung papasa both sa Congress and Senate at aaprubahan ng Presidente,” sabi ni Chair Lala.
“Kailangan both Senate and Congress ang magpapasa ng bill. It’s really up to them.”
Kuwento pa niya, mabilis silang nabibigyan ng budget at naaaprub agad.
“Mabilis at madali kaming naaaprub because we base it on the recommendation of the DBM [Department of Budget and Management],” sabi ni Chair Lala.
“And I’m very kuripot. I’m very matipid. Ha! Ha! Ha! Sobrang laki ng savings namin at bawal galawin.
“PHP670M na ang nase-save namin at bawal galawin. Ha! Ha! Ha! Unless kailangang-kailangan.
“Our MOOE [Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses] and capital outlay, diyan kinukuha. Monitoring and operational expenses.
“Lahat ng expenses ng MTRCB ay galing sa sarili naming savings.”
Bawat gagastusin ng MTRCB ay kailangan daw iaprub muna ni Chair Lala.
“Pag sinabi kong, ‘Hindi kailangan ito,’ hindi natin ire-request ito. Mas masaya kasi, di ba, pag malaki ang savings?” masayang kuwento pa ni Chair Lala.

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NAGTIPON-TIPON ang mga delagado para sa ikalawang taon ng Mr. at Ms. Chinatown Global competition.
Mula sa iba’t ibang komunidad ng Chinatown sa buong mundo para sa isang pagdiriwang ng kultura, pamana, at tradisyon ng mga Tsino.
Para sa kompetisyon Ngayong 2026, 10 lalaki at 13 babae ang maglalaban-laban para sa mga titulong kasalukuyang hawak nina Byron Sng ng Malaysia at Khryss Go ng Pilipinas.
Ipinakilala sila sa press presentation na ginanap sa Manila Hotel.
Sa naturang event nagbigay ng inspiring speech ang MMCG Pageant Director, 2016 Binibining Pilipinas-Grand International titleholder, at Miss Grand International first runner-up na Nicole Cordoves.
“At its core, Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global is a platform where candidates proudly celebrate their heritage and its place in the modern world, united by culture and shaped by diverse global experiences.
“We show that Chinese identity continues to evolve across borders and generations,” pahayag ni Nicole at sinabi rin niya na, “build bridges across Chinatowns across the globe.”
Narito ang 23 candidates sa ‘Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global 2026’
Female candidates:
1. Monica Geronimo (Philippines)
2. Tyra Rosnuk (Canada)
3. Rochelle Kirsten Canlas (United States of America)
4. Liu Chunyan (Macau SAR)
5. Charlotte Yeung (United Kingdom)
6. Estellina Ah-Hon (Mauritius)
7. Sasha Viola (Myanmar)
8. Belle Nanphasorn (Malaysia)
9. Haurani Chan (French Polynesia)
10. Tang Keyuan (China)
11. Christina Cai (Singapore)
12. Khaohom Seearamroongruang (Thailand)
13. Kolianne Mailfait (Cambodia)
Male candidates:
1. Aldrich Chen Perez (Philippines)
2. Adriel Yuan (Australia)
3. Olivier Liu Xu (Switzerland)
4. Karl Chung-Tan (French Polynesia)
5. Ang Wei Yang (Malaysia)
6. Nattakhun Thitithanon (Thailand)
7. Htoo Aung Wai (Myanmar)
8. Adrien Yaw Kan Tong (Mauritius)
9. Zhang Yiwen (Hong Kong SAR)
10. Yi Fang Gao (Canada)
The highlight of the presentation was the announcement of special awards…
Ang pambato ng ‘Pinas na sina Aldrich Chen Perez and Monica Geronimo ang hinirang na Social Media Stars.
Ang nailing Darling of the Press ay sina Mr. Chinatown Global Switzerland Olivier Liu Xu and Ms. Chinatown Global Thailand Khaohom Seearamroongruang.
Sina Ms. Chinatown Global Canada, Tyra Rosnuk, and Mr. Chinatown Global Switzerland ang napiling Mr. and Ms. The Manila Hotel’s Choice Award.
Ang tinanghal na Mr. and Ms. The Color Bar’s Choice ay Mr. Chinatown Global Switzerland at Ms. Chinatown Global USA, Rochelle Kirsten Canlas.
Ang second edition ng Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global Winners Night ay gaganapin sa Smart Araneta Coliseum, Araneta City sa February 10.

(ROHN ROMULO)