MANILA, Philippines –The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) is set to meet with ABS-CBN on Wednesday, June 11 regarding the controversial Pinoy Big Brother All In nude painting challenge, which aired last June 4.

In that episode, housemate Jayme Jalandoni was issued the nude painting challenge by Kuya, which he said will be done for charity. The 23-year-old nurse from Las Piñas was also asked to pick three housemates – she picked Daniel Matsunaga, Michelle Gumabao, and Ranty Portento – to accompany her to do the challenge.

Reluctant in the beginning, Jayme, a devout Christian, said yes but backed out after hearing her father’s opinion, which she said she will respect.

The MTRCB made the announcement on its Twitter account following a call from the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) to look into the show where Jalandoni was issued the challenge.

ABS-CBN called to Mandatory Conference for 11 June over Nude Painting Challenge

— MTRCB (@MTRCBgov) June 9, 2014

MTRCB alarmed over alleged gender-insensitivity in PBB: ALL-IN nude challenge

— MTRCB (@MTRCBgov) June 9, 2014

Bong Osorio, a spokesperson for ABS-CBN, said that they will comply with the MTRCB’s order.

“We have received the invitation from MTRCB. We will cooperate and attend the conference on June 11,” he said in a text message to Rappler. 

In a statement posted on their website, the PCW said there is nothing wrong with women posing nude for art “but it should be a woman’s free choice to do so.” 

Senators Pia Cayetano and Nancy Binay have also expressed their concern over the controversial episode.

In a press statement, Cayetano said the the producers should review the Magna Carta of Women, particularly the provision on portrayal of women in media.

“PBB producers should take note of the Magna Carta of Women (Sec.19, Implementing Rules and Regulations) which encourages the non-derogatory portrayal of women in media. The program’s producers need not wait for the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to take action. It should give a public explanation and apologize for that unwarranted challenge,” she said. 

In a separate statement, Binay said the MTRCB should look into the policies of the network and Endemol when it comes to issuing challenges to the housemates.

Endemol is the production company behind the Big Brother franchise.

“All the tasks and challenges are part of the script which are approved by the PBB Management prior to execution. The responsibility does not solely fall on Kuya’s lap – kasama sa daloy ng script ang management at buong production team,” the senator said.

(The responsibility does not solely fall on Kuya’s lap–it’s part of the flow of the script of the management and the whole production team.)

The statement said that this was not the first time PBB was called on for a similar issue, recalling the “Naked Fan Dance” challenge in 2009.

– Rappler.com

Antique frame and nude portrait via Shutterstock