The following is a list of films banned in the Philippines. This list includes films which were banned for public screening in the Philippines by law by virtue of being given an "X" or "Banned" rating or by being deemed "not fit for public exhibition" by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
Banned during the presidency of Diosdado Macapagal for featuring then-Senator Ferdinand Marcos, who was Macapagal's main political opponent.[2]
1977
Hubad na Bayani
N/A
The film, released during the martial law era, depicted the human rights violations during the Marcos regime. President Marcos banned the film from showing theatrically, which led to the establishment of a tradition of protesting naked, which became known as the Oblation Run.[2]
Initially banned for scenes involving humping and nudity involving the film's lead actors which was viewed as "pornographic" by the MTRCB.[6] The ban was overturned in 1994[7] with the film's historical merits cited as a reason.[6]
Given an "X" rating by the MTRCB due to a scene of partial nudity involving the character portrayed by lead actress Meryl Streep. The MTRCB has stated that it could reclassify the film as rated R if the offending scene was cut from the film for screening in the Philippines.[7]
MTRCB's permission for the film to be screened was rescinded by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2001 after Cardinal Jaime Sin and other local Roman Catholic leaders lobbied for the ban. The film tackles the plight of poor Filipino boys and girls resorting to featuring in sex shows in Manila as a means of livelihood.[8][9]
Produced, directed, and starring former President Joseph Estrada while he was detained for one of his many plunder cases. It was banned for challenging the rule of President Arroyo, who succeeded him after he was ousted in the second EDSA Revolution.[2] It alleged that the Catholic Church cooperated with prominent business leaders to depose Estrada. It was banned by the MTRCB for "libelous and false" content.[11]
Producers applied to have the film classified as R-18 due to be geared towards a mature audience. Given by a "double X" rating by the MTRCB due to an alleged rape scene.[12]
An independent film which caused widespread protest by Muslims worldwide due to depicting Islam's prophet Muhammad in a negative light. The Supreme Court ordered the MTRCB to ban the public screening of the film.[15]
Although it was originally rated due to its depiction of excessive sex and violence, Tarog confirmed that the film had been reevaluated to an "R-18" rating without cuts.[16]
Banned due to the appearance of a map featuring the nine-dash line which depicts the South China Sea as part of China's territory in a scene. The Philippines claims Spratlys and Scarborough Shoal as its territory which is also claimed by China and other neighboring countries. See also: South China Sea dispute[17]
2019
Metamorphosis
N/A
A Cinema One Originals entry which featured intersex people. It was given an X rating for its "daring" scenes which were found to be sensitive content by the MTRCB,[18] particularly a "masturbation" scene and exposure of genitals. The film was reviewed again by the MTRCB by another set of people and it was reclassified as an R-16 film taking in to consideration the whole context of the film. No re-edits or cut were made on the film.[19]
Banned due to the appearance of a treasure map featuring the nine-dash line found in the underground scene, which depicts the South China Sea as part of China's territory, which is similar to the 2019 animated film Abominable.[20]
Short films
Date
Film
Notes
2010
Ganito tayo ngayon, Paano na tayo bukas?
Short film part of ABS-CBN's AmBisyon series. The film follows a newspaper; from the time of its delivery to a homeowner to the time it was used to wipe off feces from a foot of a cart-pushing vendor. The particular newspaper used a controversial January 2010 issue which featured the economic achievements of then-President Arroyo. The film was given an "X" rating by the MTRCB for "undermining the faith and confidence of the people in government."[21]
2010
Ayos Ka?
Short film part of ABS-CBN's AmBisyon series. The short film is a music video which featured a hopeful soundtrack juxtaposed with imagery of poverty, illegal drug use, prostitution, and murder. The MTRCB gave the film an "X" rating "injurious to the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines and its people."[21]
^ abConti, Luigi (December 12, 2014). "Censorship, History, and Philippine Cinema: The Ethics of MTRCB". Academia. from the original on June 1, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
^ abcdeAnri Ichimura (October 2, 2019). "15 Most Controversial and Banned Films in the Philippines That You Have to Watch". Esquire Magazine PH. from the original on November 13, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
^ abcde"MTRCB heads that said "Cut!"". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal. September 21, 2007. from the original on June 1, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
^ abcde Ramos, Abe (August 29, 1995). "Manila bans 'Bridges of Madison County'". United Press International, Inc. from the original on June 1, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
^Freedom of Expression and the Media in the Philippines(PDF). Article19, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility. December 2005. p. 44. ISBN1902598806. (PDF) from the original on December 28, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
^"Arroyo bans film at insistence of Philippines Catholic hierarchy". World Socialist Web Site. April 23, 2001. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
^Burr, Ty (August 6, 2004). "A walk in the shoes of Imelda Marcos". Boston.com. from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
^Romero, Paolo (January 11, 2007). "MTRCB lifts ban on Erap bio-flick". Philstar.com. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
^Galicia, Loui (February 3, 2009). "Pinoy filmmakers face issue of censorship back home". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
^Antichrist (2009) - IMDb, retrieved September 27, 2022
^Torres, Tetch (September 25, 2012). "SC bans showing of anti-Islam film". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
^"MTRCB reclassifies Jerrold Tarog's 'Bliss' as R-18". RAPPLER. April 5, 2017. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
^"MTRCB: 'Abominable' off Philippine theaters since Tuesday". The Philippine Star. October 18, 2019. from the original on November 22, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
^Aguilar, Krissy (November 7, 2019). "MTRCB gives 'Metamorphosis' X rating". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
^Aguilar, Krissy (November 7, 2019). "Uncut 'Metamorphosis' reclassified to R-16". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
^Reuters, Story by. "Philippines pulls Hollywood action flick from cinemas over South China Sea map". CNN. Retrieved April 30, 2022. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
^ ab"Short film critical of GMA rated X by MTRCB". ABS-CBN News. March 26, 2010. from the original on June 1, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
April 24, 2023
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The following is a list of films banned in the Philippines This list includes films which were banned for public screening in the Philippines by law by virtue of being given an X or Banned rating or by being deemed not fit for public exhibition by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board MTRCB Contents 1 List 1 1 Feature films 1 2 Short films 2 See also 3 ReferencesList EditFeature films Edit Date Film Years active Notes1938 Batang Tulisan N A For the depiction of a priest in a villainous role and usage of a hypodermic syringe as a murder tool 1 1940 Chapayev N A For promoting Communist ideology 1 1965 Iginuhit ng Tadhana N A Banned during the presidency of Diosdado Macapagal for featuring then Senator Ferdinand Marcos who was Macapagal s main political opponent 2 1977 Hubad na Bayani N A The film released during the martial law era depicted the human rights violations during the Marcos regime President Marcos banned the film from showing theatrically which led to the establishment of a tradition of protesting naked which became known as the Oblation Run 2 1980 The Shining 1980 2018 It was rated X after its initial release However it was lifted and changed to R 16 to endure the audiences 3 1980 Cannibal Holocaust 1980 Banned due to its extremely violent content and actual on screen killings of animals Still banned 4 1984 Amadeus Permanent Director s Cut only 5 1988 The Last Temptation of Christ 2010 permanent For its alleged anti religion theme 6 1989 Dear Uncle Sam N A For its critical stance towards American military presence in the Philippines The Americans at that time maintained bases in Clark and Subic 6 1989 Orapronobis N A For its progressive and subversive message regarding the government of President Corazon Aquino 6 2 1993 Schindler s List 1993 1994 Initially banned for scenes involving humping and nudity involving the film s lead actors which was viewed as pornographic by the MTRCB 6 The ban was overturned in 1994 7 with the film s historical merits cited as a reason 6 1993 The Piano 1993 1994 Banned due to alleged sex scene 7 1994 Natural Born Killers Permanent Banned due to extreme violence and gruesome images 2 1996 The Bridges of Madison County N A Given an X rating by the MTRCB due to a scene of partial nudity involving the character portrayed by lead actress Meryl Streep The MTRCB has stated that it could reclassify the film as rated R if the offending scene was cut from the film for screening in the Philippines 7 2000 Live Show N A MTRCB s permission for the film to be screened was rescinded by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2001 after Cardinal Jaime Sin and other local Roman Catholic leaders lobbied for the ban The film tackles the plight of poor Filipino boys and girls resorting to featuring in sex shows in Manila as a means of livelihood 8 9 2003 Imelda N A Initially banned after Imelda Marcos on whom the biopic is based filed a lawsuit 10 which was later cancelled2006 Ang Mabuhay para sa Masa N A Produced directed and starring former President Joseph Estrada while he was detained for one of his many plunder cases It was banned for challenging the rule of President Arroyo who succeeded him after he was ousted in the second EDSA Revolution 2 It alleged that the Catholic Church cooperated with prominent business leaders to depose Estrada It was banned by the MTRCB for libelous and false content 11 2006 The Da Vinci Code Permanent Main article The Da Vinci Code in the Philippines2008 Aurora N A Producers applied to have the film classified as R 18 due to be geared towards a mature audience Given by a double X rating by the MTRCB due to an alleged rape scene 12 2009 Antichrist Permanent Banned due to explicit sexual and misogynistic violent content involving castration 13 better source needed 2009 Bruno 2009 A mockumentary film was banned due to homosexual obscenity before was lifted and heavily cut by MTRCB as R 18 rated 14 2012 Innocence of Muslims N A An independent film which caused widespread protest by Muslims worldwide due to depicting Islam s prophet Muhammad in a negative light The Supreme Court ordered the MTRCB to ban the public screening of the film 15 2017 Bliss 2017 Although it was originally rated due to its depiction of excessive sex and violence Tarog confirmed that the film had been reevaluated to an R 18 rating without cuts 16 2019 Abominable Permanent Banned due to the appearance of a map featuring the nine dash line which depicts the South China Sea as part of China s territory in a scene The Philippines claims Spratlys and Scarborough Shoal as its territory which is also claimed by China and other neighboring countries See also South China Sea dispute 17 2019 Metamorphosis N A A Cinema One Originals entry which featured intersex people It was given an X rating for its daring scenes which were found to be sensitive content by the MTRCB 18 particularly a masturbation scene and exposure of genitals The film was reviewed again by the MTRCB by another set of people and it was reclassified as an R 16 film taking in to consideration the whole context of the film No re edits or cut were made on the film 19 2022 Uncharted Permanent Banned due to the appearance of a treasure map featuring the nine dash line found in the underground scene which depicts the South China Sea as part of China s territory which is similar to the 2019 animated film Abominable 20 Short films Edit Date Film Notes2010 Ganito tayo ngayon Paano na tayo bukas Short film part of ABS CBN s AmBisyon series The film follows a newspaper from the time of its delivery to a homeowner to the time it was used to wipe off feces from a foot of a cart pushing vendor The particular newspaper used a controversial January 2010 issue which featured the economic achievements of then President Arroyo The film was given an X rating by the MTRCB for undermining the faith and confidence of the people in government 21 2010 Ayos Ka Short film part of ABS CBN s AmBisyon series The short film is a music video which featured a hopeful soundtrack juxtaposed with imagery of poverty illegal drug use prostitution and murder The MTRCB gave the film an X rating injurious to the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines and its people 21 See also EditCinema of the Philippines Censorship in the PhilippinesReferences Edit a b Conti Luigi December 12 2014 Censorship History and Philippine Cinema The Ethics of MTRCB Academia Archived from the original on June 1 2019 Retrieved June 1 2019 a b c d e Anri Ichimura October 2 2019 15 Most Controversial and Banned Films in the Philippines That You Have to Watch Esquire Magazine PH Archived from the original on November 13 2019 Retrieved November 13 2019 The Shining 1980 IMDb retrieved May 5 2022 Cannibal Holocaust 1980 IMDb retrieved December 20 2022 Amadeus 1984 IMDb retrieved May 5 2022 a b c d e MTRCB heads that said Cut PEP ph Philippine Entertainment Portal September 21 2007 Archived from the original on June 1 2019 Retrieved June 1 2019 a b c de Ramos Abe August 29 1995 Manila bans Bridges of Madison County United Press International Inc Archived from the original on June 1 2019 Retrieved June 1 2019 Freedom of Expression and the Media in the Philippines PDF Article19 Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility December 2005 p 44 ISBN 1902598806 Archived PDF from the original on December 28 2016 Retrieved June 1 2019 Arroyo bans film at insistence of Philippines Catholic hierarchy World Socialist Web Site April 23 2001 Retrieved November 8 2020 Burr Ty August 6 2004 A walk in the shoes of Imelda Marcos Boston com Archived from the original on March 5 2016 Retrieved November 13 2019 Romero Paolo January 11 2007 MTRCB lifts ban on Erap bio flick Philstar com Retrieved November 8 2020 Galicia Loui February 3 2009 Pinoy filmmakers face issue of censorship back home ABS CBN News ABS CBN Europe News Bureau Retrieved November 7 2020 Antichrist 2009 IMDb retrieved September 27 2022 Bruno 2009 IMDb retrieved May 20 2021 Torres Tetch September 25 2012 SC bans showing of anti Islam film Philippine Daily Inquirer Retrieved November 8 2020 MTRCB reclassifies Jerrold Tarog s Bliss as R 18 RAPPLER April 5 2017 Retrieved September 29 2022 MTRCB Abominable off Philippine theaters since Tuesday The Philippine Star October 18 2019 Archived from the original on November 22 2019 Retrieved November 13 2019 Aguilar Krissy November 7 2019 MTRCB gives Metamorphosis X rating Philippine Daily Inquirer Retrieved November 8 2020 Aguilar Krissy November 7 2019 Uncut Metamorphosis reclassified to R 16 Philippine Daily Inquirer Retrieved November 8 2020 Reuters Story by Philippines pulls Hollywood action flick from cinemas over South China Sea map CNN Retrieved April 30 2022 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a last has generic name help a b Short film critical of GMA rated X by MTRCB ABS CBN News March 26 2010 Archived from the original on June 1 2019 Retrieved June 1 2019 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title List of films banned in the Philippines amp oldid 1142243063, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
