MTRCB chair Lala Sotto is happy to have met Vice Ganda in person
Movie Television Review and Classification Board chairman Lala Sotto reveals that she already met “It’s Showtime” main host Vice Ganda.
This was this answer when she was asked during an interview with select media—including FreebieMNL—on Monday, March 4, 2024.
The media asked: “Nagkita na kayo ni Vice Ganda?”
Smiling, Lala answers, “You know what… yes, yes, yes. We finally met a few days ago lang. I was so, so happy to have finally met Vice Ganda. For the first time ko siya nakita in-person.
“Masayang-masaya ako na na-meet ko siya in-person for the first time in my life!”
According to Lala, she met Vice during the fashion show of Paul Cabral a few weeks back. It was not a meeting that was planned as they just saw each other by chance.
“Nakakatuwa kasi nobody introduced us. I just, of course, knew na siya si Vice Ganda.
“And then, nagkataon lang kasi napakaraming tao, so nagkatapat kami. So ayan, nagkita kami, nagbeso kami. Nakakatuwa. So happy, finally, nag-meet kami.”
However, they did not have a chance to talk longer because the show was about to start when they saw each other.
But Lala appreciates how Vice never said anything negative about what happened between “It’s Showtime” and the MTRCB.
Lala adds, “Yes, nakakatuwa. Praise God. I was so happy.”
It may be recalled that the MTRCB and “It’s Showtime” got embroiled in a controversy last year when the Kapamilya noontime show got suspended.
The suspension was said to have stemmed from “concerning scenes that portrayed alleged indecent acts by hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez during the variety show’s ‘Isip Bata’ segment.”
But aside from this, other “It’s Showtime” hosts were said to have violated some broadcast conduct, including Jhong Hilario who uttered the word “G-spot” with Vice Ganda during the January 24, 2023 episode.
READ ALSO: MTRCB Sanctions “It’s Showtime” With 12-Day Suspension
How Lala Sotto deals with bashers
The decision of the MTRCB was met with raised eyebrows and bashing towards Lala.
Not only because of their concern towards the production people who would not be able to work and receive salary for 12 days, but they also associate Lala with the rival show of “It’s Showtime,” “Eat Bulaga,” where her father Tito Sotto is a host.
READ ALSO: MTRCB Chair Lala Sotto Justifies Parents’ Intimate Gesture On “E.A.T.”
During the interview, the media asked Lala what does she think of the bashing that she received at the time.
She answers nonchalantly, “Maliit pa ako, sanay na ako sa kanila, kaya thank God.”
But admittedly, Lala did not seem to mind the negative tirades towards her, not just because she didn’t want to but because she did not have the headspace to deal with these.
She explains, “I’ve always believed that bashers and everybody, each of us are entitled to our own opinion, so, that’s their right to air out whatever they want to say. But, of course, there are limitations, di ba? Kaya may tinatawag na libel, may defamation, may limitations, ‘no?
“Pero when it comes to my experience from the bashers, hindi ko talaga napapansin na sa sobrang ka-busy-han, sa sobrang dami ng workload na ginagawa dito, it’s just business as usual to us.
“Hindi lang naman suspension ng shows or cancellation ng shows ang inaatupag namin, marami rin kaming mga cable entities, registrations, licenses, permits to exhibit na inaatupag on a daily basis at mino-monitor na shows.
“So, hindi lang ‘yun, pati mga movies na nire-review every single day, so napakarami naming ginagawa kaya sa ayaw at gusto mo, if you were in my shoes, hindi mo rin talaga mapapansin.”
Regardless of other people’s opinions about the issue, Lala believes that she just did her job as the chairman of MTRCB.
She tells the press, “I just did my job and I think… ilang buwan na ba ang nakalipas? Today, March na. Marami na ring nangyari after that and I believe we were able to prove that the MTRCB has been very consistent when it comes to decision-making, and when it comes to our stand, especially as the regulatory board, regulatory body, and the regulators of movie and television [industry] in our country.”
She is also glad that people around the country became aware of MTRCB’s services, especially in raising its goals for “Matalinong Panonood.”
“Nakilala rin sa ibang lugar and I’m glad they’re aware that the MTRCB is very active and that we’re here to uphold our mandate, which is to protect children from content that we do not want them to see.”
This year, MTRCB is looking forward to expanding its “Matalinong Panonood” program to provinces and other areas.
Banner Art Dani Sison
