“This government will surely do anything and everything just to stop the people’s dissent,” said National Artist for Literature Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera.

BY NOEL SALES BARCELONA
Contributed to Bulatlat
Vol. VII, No. 43, December 2-8, 2007

State fascism.

This is how National Artist for Literature Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera sees the “X” rating given by the Movie and Television Review and Classificatin Board (MTRCB) to two short films namely Mendiola and A Day in the Life of Gloria Arrovo supposed to be shown in Kontra Agos Film Festival Dec. 5-11 at the Robinson’s Galleria Indie Sine in Mandaluyong City.

In a press conference held at Newsdesk Café in Sct. Madriñan, Quezon City, the literary giant said that the Macapagal-Arroyo has truly no respect to work of arts, neither has adequate knowledge of the artists’ role in their society.

“This government will surely do anything and everything just to stop the people’s dissent,” he said in Filipino.

Lumbera also expressed fear that there will be more government censorship of artistic works showing the real situation of the Philippines-be these films or visual artworks.

“Just like what happened to the mural made by Neo-Angono Artists Collective,” Lumbera said referring to the defacement done by the National Press Club on the mural “Press Freedom” after the Presidential Security Group (PSG) said that it bears “leftist marks and symbolisms.”

Made by Sine Patriyotiko (Sipat) and Southern Tagalog Exposure Multi-Media Collective (ST Exposure) respectively, the two short films got an “X” rating because they “encourage the people to doubt their government,” explains the MTRCB.

According to the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the MTRCB, works that tend to undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government and/or duly constituted authorities will be given an “X” rating and therefore cannot be shown in public.

Rated X: the second time around

The “X” rating given to the two films is not the first time for the independent filmmakers.

Last September, Rights-a collection of public service announcements tackling issues of human rights violations said to be purported by the government-was also given an “X” rating by the MTRCB. The short films were meant to be shown in a forum held at Indie Sine last Sept. 21, in line with the commemoration of the dark days of Marcos’ martial rule.

A few days after, the MTRCB lifted the “X” rating and had given the film a “PG-13” after the Rights filmmakers protested and demanded a re-evaluation.

A prelude to another martial rule?

“One of the schemes made by (former president) Marcos before he declared martial law in 1972 is censoring films. Just like what is happening now,” said King Catoy, a film-maker and a member of ST Exposur who is also one of the conveners of the Artists’ Response to the Call for Social Change and Transformation (Artists’ ARREST), an alliance of progressive writers, visual, performing and music artists.

“And the action of the MTRCB is really condemnable,” he stressed.

This was seconded by JL Burgos, a visual artist and the brother of the missing activist Jonas Burgos. Jonas was abducted April last year and he was never been surfaced until now. JL Burgos is also one of the film-makers who contributed to the collection Rights.

“Tweny years ago, my father, Jose Burgos was imprisoned because he was accused of being a communist. Now, it’s happening again. We in the Free Jonas Burgos Movement do believe that there is an existing, but an undeclared, martial law,” he said.

A time for artists to struggle more

“Everyday, our rights are being trampled upon. One of the worst forms of human rights violation is the extreme poverty of our people. The “X” ratings given, in quick succession, to films showing the real situation of the country are proof of the desperation of government to stay on hold and it is trying to stop people’s dissent by silencing or censoring them,” Iggy Rodriguez, a member of the artist group, Ugat Lahi, said.

Meanwhile, Julie Po of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) told the people to struggle more and never cease until they finally attain their freedom, not only from suppression but also from oppression and poverty caused by no other than the state itself. Contributed to Bulatlat

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