MTRCB summons ‘It’s Showtime’ heads over ‘Pastillas Girl’ segment

MANILA, Philippines – The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) summoned the executives behind It’s Showtime after receiving complaints over the “Pastillas Girl” segment, which is part of the noontime show. 

In a memo posted on Twitter dated October 1, the board asked the show’s director Norbert Vidanes, business unit head Reily Santiago and executive producer Mark Rejano to come on October 13 for a meeting on “gender sensitivity concerns.” The board said they decided to schedule a meeting following complaints from many viewers as well as the group Gabriela.

Here’s the letter in full:

“Further to the Memorandum of Understanding dated 28 March 2012 by and between our Agency and various television networks and entities, including ABS-CBN Corporation, as well as the official letter we received last week from the party-list alliance Gabriela, not to mention some feedback from the general public, we are impelled to invite your authorized representatives for the program ‘It’s Showtime’ to a dialogue with the Special Sub-Committee of our Gender And Development (GAD) Committee on 13 October 2015, at 10:00 a.m., at our ground floor conference room.” 

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— MTRCB (@MTRCBgov) October 6, 2015

Last September, Angelica Jane Yap or known as Pastillas Girl became a viral hit after she posted a video of her reciting ingredients in making pastillas de leche (soft milk candy) in relation to her being dumped by her boyfriend. (READ: Meet ‘Pastillas Girl,’ on a quest to find love)

After her video became popular, Angelica was asked by the people of It’s Showtime to appear on the show. She’s on a mission to find a new partner through the show’s segment “Nasaan Ka Mr. Pastillas.” 

On Tuesday, October 6, Angelica turned down another suitor named Jomari Tormento, saying she would like to be friends with him instead. A previous suitor named Jess Senido was also turned down by Angelica.

This is not the first time It’s Showtime has been summoned by MTRCB. In August 2014, the show was also summoned by the board for Vice Ganda’s antics in the “Gandang Lalaki” portion. – Rappler.com