SUMMIT. We, in the Visayas in general, and Cebu in particular, should be very glad, honored and privileged that this year’s Family and Child Summit will be held here. I was able to talk to no less than Movie & Television Review & Classification Board (MTRCB) chair Rachel Arenas, who told me that the event is part of the observation of the centennial of Philippine Cinema. The day-long summit will be at the Cebu Capitol Social Hall on Friday, Aug. 10.
FIRST. Arenas disclosed that the Friday gathering is the very first time to be held in the Visayas. Its first five years were done in Luzon. “This is to recognize the big contribution of Visayan cinema to the country’s movie industry since its birth a century ago,” the MTRCB chair said. I told her we, Cebuanos and Visayans, are deeply honored and proud by the recognition and acknowledgment coming from her.
GUIDANCE. In answer to my query on MTRCB’s strict movie and television ratings of shows for mature audiences but can be seen by kids at home, Arenas stressed that parents, elders or adults play a very basic and important role in this respect. She said kids need parental guidance every time they watch shows on the boob tube. In cinemas, we all know they are very strict on the age requirement before young viewers are sold admission tickets.
THANK. So we, Cebuanos, should profusely thank Arenas for deciding to hold the summit here in our city or province. The event speakers are our very own fellow Cebuano, the veteran actress Gloria Sevilla (the Queen of Visayan Movies), Prof. Nick Deocampo and film director Jose Javier Reyes. It’s a big pride on my part to host the whole-day summit. (For reactions, text 0932-277-8771.)