MTRCB chairperson Diorella ‘Lala’ Sotto-Antonio (Facebook)
by Robert Requintina, Manila Bulletin
Violent themes and sexual content may proliferate on social media, but the newly appointed chairperson of the Movie and TV Review Classification Board (MTRCB) Diorella “Lala” Sotto-Antonio pointed out that the agency has no jurisdiction over online streams and posts.
“Wala po talagang juridisction ang MTRCB over social media and online streamers. So we are very limited to television programs and motion pictures. But as I’ve said, I don’t see anything wrong with working with them,” says Lala, during a lunch with the entertainment media at Mario’s Restaurant in Morato, Quezon City last Wednesday.
Lala suggests that it would help if the jurisdiction of MTRCB would be expanded.
“I hope it will not be taken against me, but my humble opinion is yes, makakatulong siguro kung ma e-expand yung juridisction ng MTRCB. One of my goals is for the MTRCB to be the partner-parent at home, especially for parents who are busy. I want to ensure a safe-viewing experience for children,” she says.
Lala, 45, says there were no specific instructions or orders from President Marcos Jr. when she was appointed to MTRCB. But she reveals that her team has met with popular streaming service networks in the country.
“It’s safe to say that we have had short talks with Netflix already. We also started meeting with Amazon Prime. I’m looking forward to a healthy and harmonious relationship with them because the role of MTRCB is very limited to motion pictures and television programs,” she adds. “With the local streamers, I choose to work with them. I am open to dialogues and open to communication with them.”
When asked if she would be a strict MTRCB head, Lala says: “I cannot say na magiging mahigpit ako because I don’t want to compare my being the chairman to the previous ones. I feel I have big shoes to fill because I choose to emulate Senator Grace Poe. But the chairmen who came after her did a great job naman. Lahat magaganda yung nagawa during their term. Wala naman akong nakikita na dapat kaming magcensor. MTRCB is just an agency which will rate and classify movies and TV shows. I am blessed to have a working board.”
Lala says she’s confident that the movie industry will bounce back following the lockdowns brought about by the pandemic. “Kaka-open lang ng ating cinema but am very confident that we will be able to work with them. Makaka-ahon din sila.”
Daughter of Senator Tito Sotto III and actress Helen Gamboa, Lala earned her Bachelor of Arts major in Diplomatic Affair degree at the Dela Salle University College of St. Benilde. She also earned credits from the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education for the short-term course Applying Behavioral Insights to the Design of Public Policy, and the two-month course on Strengthening Community Health Workers.
Prior to her appointment, Lala was in public service for 22 years. She was a three-termer councilor in Quezon City’s sixth district from 2013 until 2022. Before that, she also served as councilor from 2001 to 2010 in the city’s third district.
Lala was the author of the ordinance requiring bicycle riders to wear helmets while within Quezon City’s borders. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, she authored ordinances granting a special risk allowance to frontline Quezon City public health workers, requiring the use of facemasks or other coverings in the city’s public places, and establishing the Quezon City General Hospital dialysis and a separate dialysis center for Covid positive patients.
If time permits, Lala says she enjoys watching historical movies and documentaries. The first two movies that the MTRCB board reviewed were “Maid In Malacanang” and “Katips.”
Recalling the first time she got a call from the Palace, Lala says: “I was so surprised. They asked me to attend the July 5 oath-taking. But I was positive for Covid so nahiya naman ako sabihin na I couldn’t make it because I had to complete the seven-day quarantine period. Then they called asking me to attend the July 7 oath-taking.”
On the reminders of her parents, the MTRCB chief states: “Yung mga paalala sa akin ng mga magulang ko, nagsimula yan 22 years ago, noong unang pumasok ako sa politics. So ngayon andyan pa rin ang simple reminders nila on humility, about being sensitive to other’s feelings and needs, diligence, conscientious, working that is glorifying to the Lord, yung ang paalala sa akin ng mga magulang ko na paulit-ulit. My passion for public service will be with me wherever I go. So yung malasakit mo sa bayan mo, sa mga kapwa Pilipino, hindi mawawala yun. Dala-dala ko lagi yun. Kasama na rin doon yung natutunan ko bilang konsehala sa loob ng 18 years. Wala na po akong plan bumalik sa city council because panahon na i-expand yung kakayahan natin na makatulong sa iba at sa mas nakararami.”
Lala reveals her goal as chairperson of MTRCB. “I just want to do a great job that is glorying the Lord. Gusto kong lang paghusayan at patunayan na deserving ako sa katungkulan ko ngayon.”
