MTRCB summons Pinoy Big Brother over nude challenge

MANILA, Philippines - The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has summoned ABS-CBN for a mandatory conference today over a recent nude-painting challenge in the reality show “Pinoy Big Brother: All In.”

In a statement released yesterday by its chairman Eugenio Villareal, the MTRCB expressed its concern over the challenge posed by “Big Brother” or “Kuya” upon housemates Jayme Jalandoni and Michelle Gumabao to pose in the nude for a painting.

The alleged gender-insensitive scenes were aired during the show’s June 4 and 5 episodes.

Villareal said Jalandoni initially refused and “became fearful and cried.” She eventually gave in to Big Brother’s challenge even if it meant going against her family and religious beliefs, he said.

He said fellow housemate Gumabao was picked by Jalandoni to join her in the challenge after the latter was instructed by Big Brother to find companions for the challenge.

Gumabao was also seen sobbing during the show’s June 5 episode in regard to the challenge and how it threatened her religious beliefs, the MTRCB chief said.

“The pressure exerted upon the housemates constitutes moral and psychological violence upon them and may violate their dignity as women,” Villareal said.

The MTRCB invoked its 2012 Memorandum of Understanding with ABS-CBN and other networks for the positive and non-derogatory portrayal of women in television in support of the Magna Carta of Women of 2009.

The MTRCB has invited resource persons for the proceedings, including representatives from the Philippine Commission on Women.

Binay, Cayetano slam PBB

Meanwhile, Senators Nancy Binay and Pia Cayetano yesterday slammed the producers of “PBB: All In” for disrespecting the rights of women when they challenged female contestants to pose nude for a painting.

Binay said she intends to file a resolution within the week for a possible inquiry into the issue.

She urged the MTRCB to look into the possible ethical breach committed by the show.

“This may be a reality show but its contestants, especially the female housemates, should be accorded due respect without compromising their dignity and rights as women,” Binay said.

“I believe this is the second time PBB went overboard. How far can reality TV go for high ratings? Will we allow the network to exploit women and children for ratings sake?” she added.

Binay recalled that in 2009, PBB had been entangled in a morality issue over its “Naked Fan Dance” challenge, where the housemates were made to wear flimsy underwear.

 â€“ With Marvin Sy