 to Coco Martin's “Sigabo.” ){kind=link}
NOTWITHSTANDING the recently concluded compliance seminar for Coco Martin’s primetime series “Sigabo,” local television industry stakeholders reacted to the call of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) after receiving numerous complaints.
MTRCB chairperson Lala Sotto particularly hinted at what she claimed were more than 10 complaints filed before the agency against the romance action drama’s “persistent and excessive portrayal of violence since it began airing last June 22, 2026 on free TV channels ALLTV, A2Z and TV5.
The compliance seminar was administered by MTRCB Vice Chair Johnny Revilla and Board Members Ricardo “Jojo” Salomon, Eloisa Matias and Robert “Bobby” Andrews under its “Responsableng Paggabay” initiative.
In her opening remarks during the discussion, Sotto said they wish to help the television industry thrive and produce world-class contents that would appropriately be shown to younger viewers, with the guidance of their parents.
“I just want to make it clear that the reason why we are having this compliance seminar today is because we want to help you, we want to help drive the production. We want you to understand where we are coming from and we want a better understanding also of the production,” she said.
“Magiging (We can be) very socially relevant, I’m sure, ‘yung mga scenes at ‘yung mga magiging (the scenes and the supposed) storyline. Which we understand and we fully support. But there are always limitations. Lahat ng bagay, may limitasyon (All things have limitations),” she added.
“Sigabo”–which also stars Julia Montes–is co-produced by ABS-CBN’s Dreamscape Entertainment and CCM Film Productions, Coco’s audio-visual production.
The complaints cited the supposed excessive depiction of violence, fistfights and physical aggression, violent torture scenes, and strong violent language on “Sigabo.”
The MTRCB gave a rating of Strong Parental Guidance or Striktong Patnubay at Gabay (SPG) to “Sigabo.”
Programs classified as SPG may contain more serious topics or themes that may not be advisable for children to watch, except under a parent or adult’s very vigilant guidance and presence.
In determining its rating, the MTRCB considered the program’s purpose, genre, time slot, treatment and depiction of factors such as its theme, violence, drugs, language, sex, and horror.
Some of the complaints submitted to the body called for an immediate review or re-evaluation of TV series containing violent content that are aired during primetime hours.
For its part, CCM Film Productions welcomed the conduct of the compliance seminar as a responsive measure in addressing issues pertaining to “Sigabo.”
Malu Sevilla of CCM Film Productions said they were able to see and understand the intentions of the MTRCB, while they were also able to express the artistic intentions and direction of the producers.
Ihman Basas Esturco, one of the cast members of “Sigabo,” said he understood, lauded and respected the decision of MTRCB but called for a wider view of the scenario.
“Bilang isa sa mga artista ng ‘Sigabo,’ iginagalang ko ang mahalagang papel ng MTRCB sa pagtiyak na ang mga palabas ay naaayon sa ating mga pamantayan at may tamang gabay para sa mga manonood. Pero bilang bahagi rin ng entertainment industry, naniniwala akong kailangan din natin tingnan ang mas malaking larawan (As one of the actors of the show, I respect the important role played by the agency to see to it that television shows are screened according to its standards and proper guidance for the viewers. But as part of the industry, I believe that we should look at the bigger picture),” commented Ihman who plays Manny, an assistant to former police major general Ricardo Jacinto which is being portrayed by Edu Manzano in the action caper.
According to Esturco, the show is a collective effort of the whole community of CCM Productions. “Ang ‘Sigabo’ ay hindi lamang tungkol sa mga intense o violent na eksena. Isa itong seryeng bunga ng napakalaking sakripisyo, dedikasyon, at malasakit ng buong (The show is not only about intense or violent scenes. It is a series as an end-product of an immense sacrifice, dedication and compassion of the whole) CCM Production,” he explained.
The actor emphasized the meticulous weaving of all elements of the production to come out with a quality audio-visual material. “Kapag napanood mo ito, makikita mong ang bawat eksena ay pinag-isipan—mula sa kwento, cinematography, production design, hanggang sa pagganap ng bawat artista. Sa tingin ko, panahon na para suportahan natin ang mga produksyong nagsisikap magtaas ng kalidad ng (If you watch it, you’d see that each scene is well-thought—from the narrative, until the portrayal of each actor. I think it’s high time that we support productions that level up their broadcast quality of) Philippine entertainment,” he added.
“Kung gusto natin makilala ang mga Pilipinong kwento sa pandaigdigang entablado, kailangan din natin bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga proyektong sumusubok umabot sa international standards. Marami sa ating mga karatig-bansa ang mabilis nang umuunlad sa paggawa ng pelikula at serye. Nakakatuwang makita ang kanilang tagumpay, pero nagsisilbi rin itong paalala na hindi tayo dapat makuntento. Noon, tayo ang isa sa mga hinahangaan sa rehiyon. Naniniwala akong kaya nating maibalik ang posisyong iyon kung sama-sama nating susuportahan ang mga de-kalidad na lokal na produksyon (If we aim that Filipino stories to be heard and seen on international stage, we should give chance to projects which try to come up with the world standards. Many of our neighboring countries are speedily progressing in making films and series. It’s inspiring to see their successes but they also serve as reminders that we shouldn’t be complacent. Before, we were the pride of the region. I believe we can bring back that pride if we collectively support quality local productions),” Esturco elucidated.
Ihman also called out disunity among Filipinos in support of the success of our fellowmen in any field of endeavor. “Sana rin ay maiwasan natin ang tinatawag na ‘crab mentality.’ Imbes na unahin ang paghila pababa, mas makabubuting tulungan natin umangat ang isa’t isa. Ang constructive criticism ay mahalaga, pero mahalaga rin ang pagbibigay ng pagkakataon sa mga proyektong may malinaw na layunin na iangat ang antas ng ating industriya (We should also drift away from ‘crab mentality.’ Instead of pulling each other down, we should help one another in pulling up. Constructive criticism is important but it is equally so if we give chances to projects which have clear objective to propel the standards of our industry),” he quipped.
As a regular player in the show, Esturco said he is witness to the professionalism and idealism of his fellow creatives at work. “Nakita ko mismo ang sipag at propesyonalismo ng buong production. Ipinagmamalaki kong naging bahagi ako ng isang proyektong may mataas na pangarap para sa Philippine entertainment. Sa huli, iisa lang ang hangarin ko: ang makitang patuloy na umunlad ang ating industriya, gumagawa ng mga kuwentong maipagmamalaki natin, at nakikipagsabayan sa pinakamahusay sa mundo—habang nananatiling responsable at may paggalang sa mga pamantayang itinatakda ng ating mga institusyon (I see the hard work, professionalism of the whole production. I am proud to be part of one project which has high hopes for Philippine entertainment. In the final analysis, I only have an aspiration: to see that our industry is continuously developing, making stories which make us proud and play competitively among the best in the world—while being responsible and respectful of the standards set by our institutions),” he stressed.
Meanwhile, movie director and entertainment writer Ronald Carballo brought out his takeaways on the issue. Excerpts from Carballo’s thoughts which appeared on his social media spaces:
“I HOPE INSTEAD OF LISTENING TO THE WRONG REPORT OF SOME, THEY WILL APPRECIATE THAT ‘SIGABO’ INCREASED THE QUALITY OF AN ACTION-DRAMA TELESERYE IN THE PHILIPPINES, THAT EXCEEDS A BIG MOVIE FOR THE SOCIETY THAT IS THIRSTY TO WATCH A WORLD CLASS TO WATCH!
“MTRCB is not fair to Coco Martin’s ‘Sigabo’ Productions.
“Someone complained that the TV series is too violent.
“MTRCB has underestimated Coco Martin and the entire Production.
“The TV series still airs tho.
“If it’s true that someone reported to MTRCB regarding the violent content of ‘Sigabo,’ surely those who are jealous and enemies of a TV series that can’t get enough of ‘Sigabo.’
“Not even someone complained or reported, MTRCB will listen immediately.
“Very unfair!
“Dapat may masusing imbestigasyon yan. (There should be thorough investigation about it)”