On The Da Vinci Code… Again

All this petition to ban the film here in the Philippines is only making the movie more controversial and thus, a probable commercial hit. They did it once in a movie entitled “Live Show”. If the critics and moralist have shut their mouth in the first place, the movie may have attracted less moviegoers since it had poor publicity.

I am one of those who will be disappointed should this banning takes effect. But anyway, I have read the book. Was it a stumbling block? Was my faith shaken? No. I know that the story is just a novel and not a documentary same as with King Kong climbing the empire state building. And if ever it was true, the purpose of Christ’s incarnation was not defeated by that truth.

I think the Philippines HAVE NO RIGHT to ban any film for the simple reason that IT IS NOT CAPABLE of containing it. A banned film will only find its way on the pirated DVD market and once it is in our home the MTRCB will lose its power to censor.

Cardinal Rosales handled this issue excellently. He said that the movie was blasphemous but didn’t call for it to be banned. He knew that faiths can be shaken and so he urged the priests and parish leaders to organize discussion and study groups focusing on the divinity of Jesus Christ, and to organize prayer sessions for world peace, morality and charity.

I fully respect and understand any audience member’s choice not to see a movie. But to deny other people who may find value in the story the right to see it, that’s kind of militant. I don’t advocate militancy in enforcing or defending belief systems because I think that leads to oppression, violence and hatred. I wouldn’t support or advocate that. ~Ron Howard (director, The Da Vinci Code)

Sino sila para pagbawalan akong panoorin ang mga pelikulang nais kong panoorin? Sino sila para humusga na ang aking pang-unawa ay kasing babaw lamang ng sa kanila? Huwag sana nilang itulad ang lahat sa kakitiran ng kanilang isip. Tama man o mali ang laman ng pelikula ang maganda nito ay nauudyukan kang mag-isip, magtanong, at sa pagtatanong ay malaman ang katotohanan. Walang mali sa katotohanan. Dapat lamang masiguro na silang mga nakaaalam noon ay nandiyan sa tabi ng mga naguguluhan upang magsilbing gabay.