The ABS-CBN noontime program It’s Showtime is on the news lately and has been dragged into issues concerning women’s rights and dignity. The recent complaint of Gabriela has reached the desk of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) office complaining about a pimping issue concerning It’S Showtime Angelica Jane Yap a.k.a Pastillas Girl.
The allegation is obviously very serious since the MTRCB summoned the executives of ABS-CBN network just days ago on the Pastillas Girl pimping issue. This resulted in a conference between the ABS-CBN personalities and the MTRCB.
On October 14, 2015 the MTRCB has released the outcome of the Gender and Development or GAD agreement that deals directly on It’s Showtime segment Pastillas Girl and the popular “Nasaan Ka Mr. Pastillas?” segments.
MTRCB issued mandates directed on the ABS-CBN executives on behalf of It’s Showtime program on the Kapamilya network. The 3-page document reveals the agreement between the ABS-CBN network, It’s Showtime and the MTRCB board.
The Gender and Development conference agreement aims to protect the character of Angelica Jane Yap a.k.a. Pastillas Girl. As a young woman in connection with the Republic Act 9710 section 16 which is the “Non-discriminatory and Non-derogatory Portrayal of Women in Media and Film”. Raising public awareness in respecting the dignity of women and the contribution of women in the society through media are the vital key points of this law.
With this in mind, MTRCB places importance to what the public perceives of Pastillas Girl going beyond the initial impression that she is merely searching for a boyfriend via It’s Showtime segment.
It is also agreed and stated on the document that the ABS-CBN program It’s Showtime should provide proper briefing prior to the live Pastillas Girl segment since Angelica Jane Yap is now considered a public figure and could be a role model especially to young television viewers. The pre-show briefing will guarantee that whatever is publicly shown on the segment will be attuned with MTRCB’s PG rating.
The MTRCB board also requested that ABS-CBN network noontime show must provide a life couch that will help guide her in making sound life choices and to positively develop her well-being.
The last issue that MTRCB raised on the agreement is the attire or outfit worn on It’s Showtime program wherein it should undergo a 3-level screening process including performers rehearsing with the outfit on which will be subjected to review and approval by the TV show executives. This last pointer of MTRCB seeks to avoid any violation of “gender sensitivity” issue.
