may 2006 - working copyzbk.qxp - Filipino Star

Page 22
Manila bans showing of
"The Da Vinci Code"
Authorities in the Philippine capital
Manila have banned all cinemas in the
city from screening the controversial
film "The Da Vinci Code."
A resolution was signed by a
majority of the city councillors just
hours after it premiered in Asia's bastion
of Catholicism.
The resolution said the movie, which
was based on US author Dan Brown's
explosive novel, is "offensive to the
established beliefs of the Roman
Catholic Church." It stressed that the
country's Revised Penal Code states that
"it is a crime to exhibit films which
offend a religion."
A jeepney drives past a billboard promoting the
film 'The Da Vinci Code' in Manila May 15
before the movie got pulled from theatres there.
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The North American Filipino Star May 2006
City councillor Benjamin Asilo, who
authored the resolution, said malls and
cinema owners who defy the ban risked
Pacquiao, Larios to meet in
Los Angeles
Philippines contra Mexico Showdown,”
scheduled on July 2 at the Araneta
Coliseum.
being fined, or their owners imprisoned. Two-time world champion Manny Boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya
Those caught selling pirated DVDs Pacquiao came face to face with Mexican warned Pacquiao not to take Larios
or VCDs of the movie could also be jailed Oscar Larios of Mexico for the second lightly, saying: “At 130 lb, Larios should
for up to six months, Asilo warned. time in a news conference as they met be stronger. It’s a weight division where
The movie takes a leaf from Brown's with the international press on May 19 he fits well with his height and heft.”
book which put forward the theory that for their 12-round mano-a-mano super American trainer Freddie Roach
Jesus Christ was married to the biblical featherweight championship in Manila. said Pacquiao is unfazed, describing
prostitute Mary Magdalene, had The meeting between the Pacman Pacquiao’s current training in LA as
children and that the sacred blood line and Chololo was held at the Avalon “going on schedule, one that will make
still exists today in secret.
Room of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. sure Manny will be ready for Larios.”
The government's censor bureau Larios flew in from Mexico City while The Pacman’s coming showdown
earlier this week allowed the film to be Pacquiao drove from the Wild Card Gym, with Larios is now being compared to
shown but gave it an R-18 rating, only about 20 minutes away. Interest is the Ali-Frazier III “Thrilla in Manila,”
meaning it is restricted to adults. very high on the coming Pacquiao fight, which was also held at the Big Dome 31
Members of the politically influential
Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines have also branded the movie
as blasphemous.
Meanwhile, movie critics of the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) expressed confidence
yesterday that "The Da Vinci Code"
headlining the “Mano-a-Mano,
years ago.
would ultimately strengthen the
Christian faith of Filipinos.
Watching the movie or reading the
best-selling novel by American author
Dan Brown would invite questions on
the divinity of Christ, and in the end
provide a deeper understanding of
Christianity, said the Catholic Initiative
for Enlightened Movie Appreciation
(Cinema) after giving the movie an R-18
rating.
The Roman Catholic Church in the
Philippines has decided not to push for
a ban against the movie, while the
national film classification board
decided to allow its showing for adult
audiences only.
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Oscar Larios, of Mexico, left, poses with Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, at a news
conference in Los Angeles, Friday, May 19, 2006
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