MTRCB summons 'Ryzza Mae Show', 'Eat Bulaga' execs for 'child-unfriendly' scenes

MANILA, Philippines - The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) summoned producers of GMA-7 noontime programs The Ryzza Mae Show and Eat Bulaga for airing supposed "child-unfriendly scenes."

MTRCB said that both shows featured episodes that "violate the dignity of (8-year-old talent Ryzza Mae Dizon) and have to be addressed by the show's producer," it said in a statement Wednesday.

MTRCB said an August 14 episode of the talk show hosted by Dizon featured a guest who commented harshly to her.

"A guest told the said child actress-host 'Landing bata ka' to which the latter replied by pleading that she was just a child, and asking the said guest not to be harsh on her," MTRCB said in the release.

 An episode of variety show Eat Bulaga was also found "insensitive and unfriendly to children" by the classification body.

"During the July 29 episode, a host spat juice into the face of child actress-host Ryzza Mae Dizon," MTRCB said.

MTRCB scheduled the mandatory conference with producers TAPE, Inc. and GMA Channel 7 on September 5.

The body also urged the shows' makers to initiate immediate and concrete measures to address the concerns mentioned.

"The MTRCB reiterates its serious and urgent concern for the welfare of children, who are most vulnerable in media and entertainment," the board added.