A widow at the helm of MTRCB

"Work hard and set a good example."

Such was the marching order given by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the newly-sworn-in head of the controversy-prone Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

This agency is nearing its 75th or diamond jubilee, as it was immediately set up upon enactment on Nov. 27, 1929 of Commonwealth Act No. 3582, otherwise known as "An Act to Create a Board of Censorship for Moving Pictures and Define Its Functions."

The new MTRCB chair is Consoliza Perez Laguardia, a pretty widow (since 1997 with the passing away of her banker- husband Carlitos) with three bright children (Carlo, Carla, Carissa), scholars in their own right. Laguardia earned a degree in Economics from College of Holy Spirit where she studied from grade school to college. She has an extensive background in Investment Banking (l6 years at the Philippine National Bank). She has been with MTRCB since the chairmanship years of Dr. Alejandro Roces.

At the rites last Friday where Officer-in-charge Dennis Manikad turned over to Laguardia the MTRCB’s work and responsibility, Laguardia (who’s related to pre-war matinee idol actor Ernesto Laguardia) revealed she was "deeply honored" to accept President Arroyo’s appointment which, however, was a "complete surprise" to her.

The doe-eyed, fair-complexioned lady official said that if she could succeed in unifying the competing factions within the agency as well as the movie-television industry it deals with, she would consider it "a great achievement" and her contribution to the furtherance of the objectives of the Arroyo government in delivering significant services to the people.

Above all, she expressed in her speech before members of the board and staff and a few guests her solemn vow to be a "good chairman," though she stopped short of elaborating what she meant by "good."

In a brief one-on-one with Laguardia after the turnover rites (which ended on a rousing note with a hearty singing of Dionne Warwick’s toe-thumping What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love and Board Member Ed Sicam’s basso profundo "operatic rendition" of an original two-chord aria), I asked about her plans or goals for MTRCB.

"I will work for MTRCB’s revised Implementing Rules and Regulations to be fully in place as well as the renovation of the office – its physical layout as well as necessary changes in streamlining the administration of its legal mandate," she replied.

Laguardia added that determined efforts will be initiated towards the acquisition of a building for MTRCB.

She observed that for many years of its existence, the agency has been leasing office space in various buildings in the metropolis. The building, Laguardia continues, will be "a legacy" of the Arroyo administration.

Laguardia also promised to lay the groundwork for marking the MTRCB diamond jubilee appropriately, including perhaps a book to document or chronicle the various vicissitudes the agency has undergone through the years.

"These will be done with the approval of the board, of course," she states.

Without naming names, she was obliquely referring to the mess that resulted from her immediate predecessor’s penchant for unilateral decisions bypassing the board mandated to set policies and make decisions for the agency.

A headcount showed the turnover rites drew 18 board members present. They constitute more than a quorum of the 30-member board and their presence can be a significant gauge of the needed support to the new chair.

The heart-tugging invocation by Board Member Emmanuel Borlaza may well sum up the aspirations for the success of Laguardia’s stint:

Lord God in heaven, Author of everything good which gives us a taste of Your kingdom in our daily living but also author of the trials which strengthen and purify us, making us in the process more worthy to praise You, serve You and glorify Your name.

Today, we come to Your throne room, bringing our offerings of hosannas and alleluias in humble thanksgiving, for through many months of rough sailing on the turbulent sea of controversial conflict Your loving hand has brought us ashore. Here, we stand ready to face new challenges, the entire board united under a new leader of Your choice. Give her, O God, Your powerful anointing, as You bless her with the support of the entire staff, employees and workers.

In this, Your vineyard in this office, let it be Your will that we may all join hands to serve the industry and the public, singing in unison Your grand symphony of universal love, always aware that anything that divides us is of the devil and anything that unites is of God.

All these we pray in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ, in unity with You and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever, Amen.