‘Dreamboi’ cleared for screening: Rodina Singh slams outdated MTRCB rules

After two X ratings, Rodina Singh’s “Dreamboi” finally gets the MTRCB’s approval—but the director isn’t done asking tough questions.

After weeks of controversy, “Dreamboi” director Rodina Singh is finally breathing a sigh of relief, though not without questions.

Her erotic psychological drama has officially been cleared for screening with an R-18 rating by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), just in time for the inaugural 1st CineSilip Film Festival.

In an exclusive interview with Radar Entertainment on Wednesday, Singh admitted feeling “masaya but at the same time frustrated” over the ruling.

Happy but frustrated

“By default dapat R-18… pero hindi kami dapat na-X. Iyon talaga ang una kong naging question,” she said, referring to the board’s initial decision to disapprove her film twice for “prolonged sexually explicit scenes.”

Singh also took issue with the MTRCB’s existing code, which still describes homosexuality and lesbianism as “immoral and indecent.”

“Feeling ko mas magandang tanungin, ‘Bakit nasa rule book pa rin ng MTRCB na immoral at indecent ang homosexuality and lesbianism?’” she asked. “Why do we allow a government office to have a code like this?”

Despite the setbacks, Singh stood firm in her intent. “Dreamboi” is “not pornography,” but a meditation on desire, identity, and visibility. “It is a story about being seen, about the pain and beauty of longing when the world tells you you’re not allowed to want,” she said.

Stronger together

Singh expressed gratitude to the community that rallied behind the film, saying their support showed that “we are stronger together.”

Starring EJ Jallorina, Jenn Rosa, and Tony Labrusca, “Dreamboi” is one of seven finalists in the CineSilip Film Festival, which runs until Oct. 28, exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas.

Singh ended her interview with a pointed reflection: “Pasalamat na rin kasi binigyan ako ng pagkakataong ikuwento sa limitadong audience. Pero itatanong ko na lang ulit, ‘saan po ba naka-posisyon ang MTRCB sa taong 2025?’”

Inappropriate version

Meanwhile, the MTRCB issued an official statement explaining the basis of its decision.

“This is the third version of the film ‘Dreamboi’ submitted for review before the Board. Previous versions were determined to be inappropriate for public viewing,” it said.

The statement also acknowledged the film’s artistic and social value:

“‘Dreamboi’ serves as a meaningful venue for transgender representation in Philippine cinema. Through the character of Diwa, the film portrays the emotional and sexual life of a trans woman with honesty and dignity, moving beyond stereotypes. Its treatment of sensuality is symbolic rather than exploitative, expressing the human longing for love, identity and acceptance.”

The Board clarified that each version of the film was reviewed by a separate committee of three members, as part of its “fair, objective, and meticulous classification process.” It concluded by reminding viewers to use age classifications as a guide in choosing films suitable for their families.

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