MTRCB launches ‘Responsableng Panonood’ campaign

In accordance with the goal of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to promote media and information literacy in the country, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) launched the “Responsableng Panonood” campaign, which aims to raise awareness and encourage viewers to engage in responsible viewing habits.

MTRCB Chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio led the initiative, stating that the campaign is the agency's response to the changing times of the ever-evolving media landscape today. She also emphasized the critical role of the family, especially parents, in shaping the character of Filipino children.

MTRCB Chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio led the launch of the ‘Responsableng Panonood’ campaign PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE

“As you know, parents today and supervising adults are all very technically challenged and that is why we have this campaign in order to equip and empower them to be able to have these tools that could help them supervise the viewing habits of their children by making use of the parental control features that we currently have,” Sotto-Antonio said.

“With the emergence of the online streaming apps, subscription-on-demand services, user-generated content services, it's very hard for them to manage the viewing habits because they themselves are not aware of the parental control features and that is the first step the Responsableng Panonood is doing – to be able to train parents and supervising adults,” she continued.

The MTRCB Chair also mentioned that they will be going around the country in promoting the said campaign.

“It's not only a one-time thing. There will be seminars, webinars and training program – we need a whole nation approach that is why we will be needing the help of the parents, the teachers and local governments,” she added.

The Manila Times Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor, Tessa Mauricio-Arriola (3rd from left), was among the group of advocates along with (from left to right) MTRCB Board Member Federico Moreno; Joy Sotto, wife of QC Vice Mayor Gian Sotto; entrepreneurs Roselle Taberna and Jennifer Sevilla-Go; (from right to left) former MTRCB board member and actor Bobby Andrews; actress Ciara Sotto; Pasig City Councilor Angelu de Leon and QC Councilor Candy Medina. Also in photo was the agency’s Vice Chairman Njel de Mesa (fifth from right).

The launch held at Trinoma Mall, Quezon City was attended by representatives from key government and non-government institutions such as the Department of Education – Schools Division Office Quezon City, National Council for Children's Television (NCCT), Ayala Malls, Quezon City Federation of Parents and Teachers Association (QCFPTA), as well as international partners like the Audio Visual Industry Association (AVIA), Netflix, and Warner Bros.

Discussions were also held about parenting and media technology, led by Board Member lawyer. Gabriela “Gaby” Concepcion and joined by registered psychologist, child psychotherapist and MTRCB Board Member Dr. Lillian “Ali” Gui and MTRCB Board Member, Dr. Arlene Escalante-Eluwa, and former MTRCB Board Members Teresita “Tessie” Villarama and Bobby Andrews.

The program also featured the official introduction of RP Parent Advocates namely Ciara Sotto, Quezon City Councilor Candy Medina, Pasig City Councilor Angelu de Leon, Joy Sotto, Rosselle Taberna, Jennifer Go, and The Manila Times' very own Lifestyle and Entertainment Editor, Tessa Mauricio-Arriola.

“The RP Parent Advocates of the MTRCB are the parents who we believe are going to be very effective in sharing with the public and other parents also what the Responsableng Panonood campaign is all about,” Sotto-Antonio noted.

The event also introduced Klik, the mascot of MTRCB, accompanied by the singing of the jingle “Iklik Mo Yan” performed by MTRCB Vice Chairperson Njel De Mesa. The jingle was written and composed by De Mesa and Board Members Richard Reynoso and Neal Del Rosario.