For the past few days, I’ve received messages of support and encouragement to keep the fire burning—people who were touched by the embers of our film Alipato at Muog.
I was hopeful that the search for my brother, Jonas, would turn a notch after the “success” of the film. The last 2 days of our screening, reports reached us that different cinemas in different malls were jampacked. Morale was at a record high but those hopes were quickly dampened by the news that Alipato at Muog was given an X rating classification. Films that were given such rating is deemed NOT SUITABLE FOR PUBLIC VIEWING according to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
A week ago, we applied for a permit for Alipato at Muog to be classified fit for public viewing, unfortunately, the result was not what we hoped for.
On August 22, 2024, the 1st reviewers – which is composed of three (3) members of the board – disapproved our film from public exhibition. According to the reviewers, the reason for such classification is because “The film tends to undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government and/or duly-constituted authorities.”
We from the whole team of Alipato at Muog would like to appeal the decision of the board. We will have it reviewed for the 2nd time as soon as possible, even though we have to shell out a huge amount of money just to have it reviewed. We are not a big production house, FYI. Alipato at Muog is independently produced film with grants from the Cinemalaya Foundation and the Film Development Council of the Philippines. We will abide by the processes of such undertakings as we have done from the very first day of the search of my brother. We will also submit the documents of the Jonas Burgos case that they are asking from us.
Hindi naman po siguro kayo babalikan ni General Año, hindi naman po siguro nya gagawin yon dahil lamang sa isang dokumentaryo.
Kaya kami ay nakikiusap, please open your hearts and be the voice of the voiceless. Please stand for what is right and what is just. Because when that happens we can truly say we live in a democratic country where there is no censorship and there is freedom to express one’s thought without fear or favor.
We might still get an X rating but for the people who have been following our story know that we will never go away.
Kaya po may ganitong istorya ay dahil may ganitong mga pangyayari. Walang mali sa paglaban, may mali kaya may lumalaban.
Naninindigan,
JL Burgos