The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) said the erotic film ‘Dreamboi’ was given an R-18 rating after producers submitted a third version for review.
‘Dreamboi,’ an entry to the CineSilip Film Festival, made headlines after its writer-director Rodina Singh revealed the MTRCB gave the film an X-rating after its ‘prolonged sexually explicit scenes’ were deemed ‘inappropriate’ for public viewing.
On Tuesday, Oct. 21, the film’s X (formerly Twitter) page announced that it finally earned an R-18 rating from the government agency after its third review attempt.
‘Dreamboi is finally R-18. Thank you everyone for believing in the politics of our film,’ the post read. ‘Masakit na kailangan nating mag-adjust, pero sigurado tayo-hindi pwedeng hindi sinehan. Salamat sa pagsama sa aming laban (It hurts that we have to adjust, but we’re sure that it has to be seen by the public in cinemas. Thank you for joining us in this fight).’ According to the film’s creators, the original runtime of ‘Dreamboi’ was about 120 minutes long; however, the approved R-18 cut follows an 84-minute run time.
‘Direk Rodina originally thought of a 120-minute max run time. But the first submitted material for review was only 85 minutes. The approved was 84 minutes. She believes that there should only be one cut of the film. And this is the R-18 version we’re about to see tomorrow,’ they said.
In a statement sent to reporters on Wednesday, Oct. 22, the MTRCB said the film underwent an ‘objective’ assessment through a ‘separate review committee composed of three different, distinct committee members.’
”Dreamboi’ by Rodina Singh went from X to R-18. Said the review committee: ‘This is the 3rd version of the film ‘Dreamboi’ submitted for review before the Board. Previous versions were determined to be inappropriate for public viewing,” it added.
– Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 22, 2025
Despite the back-and-forths with the film’s creators, the MTRCB said the film is a ‘meaningful venue’ for transgender representation in Philippine cinema through the lens 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,’ it said.
‘Artistically, it uses sound, light, and intimacy to reveal the inner world of desire and isolation often unseen in mainstream narratives. While containing explicit material that warrants an R-18 classification, Dreamboi remains valuable for its authentic portrayal of marginalized experience and contribution to inclusivity in Philippine storytelling,’ it added.
Form of ‘transphobia’
The MTRCB’s controversial review of the film earned the ire of Sassa Gurl and filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone on social media, with the internet personality saying the initial X rating is a form of ‘transphobia.’
‘This is transphobia!! Free the dolls!!’ Sassa said.
This is transphobia!! Free the dolls!! https://t.co/lIFZg4lbE9
– Sassa Gurl (@Itssassagurl) October 20, 2025
Jadaone, for her part, said the film is a ‘moving, messy, beautiful exploration of trans desire.’
‘Dreamboi is not pornography. I’ve seen the scene in question. It’s a moving, messy, beautiful exploration of trans desire. It’s about longing, intimacy, what it means to be seen. It’s a story for adults, one that deserves an R18 rating, so it can reach the audience it was made for,’ she wrote.
Dreamboi is not pornography. Ibe seen the scene in question. It’s a moving, messy, beautiful exploration of trans desire. It’s about longing, intimacy,what it means to be seen. It’s a story for adults, one that deserves an R18 rating, so it can reach the audience it was made for.
– Toñet (@tonetjadaone) October 21, 2025
Singh, as well as its lead actors Tony Labrusca and EJ Jallorina, expressed their gratitude to the MTRCB for allowing the film to be screened at the CineSilip Film Festival.