MANILA – Most members of the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) maybe dismayed by “Pilipinas, Game KNB?” host Edu Manzano but they assured that a boycott is not in the offing.

Under most trying condition, when a celebrity quarrels with a movie press organization, a boycott stand is in order but PMPC president Roldan Castro quickly dismissed this.

“Hindi naman po. Gusto lang namin malaman niya na kung may opinyon siya, may opinyon din kami sa pamamagitan ng statement,” said Castro.

Castro expressed dismay over Manzano’s supposed pronouncement that he preferred AnakTV and MTRCB (Movie and Television Review and Classification Board) TV awards over Star Awards for TV, which is given annually by the PMPC.

His controversial acceptance speech was: "In the course of my almost three decades of being part of the television and film industry, there will now be two awards that I will hold especially close to my heart. One would be the MTRCB for what it stands for. And also an award that I’d been receiving two years running at iyan po ang AnakTV Awards."

Manzano said his acceptance speech at the 1st MTRCB Awards held on September 4 where he received his best male host prize.

“It is very unfortunate that Mr. Manzano has [overlooked] his awards of recognition from the PMPC, which were given to him because of his excellent job as TV host in the present and in the past,” Castro told abs-cbnNEWS.com.

Manzano, noted Castro, even won the best game show host during 2008 Star Awards for TV.

Most of the members of PMPC are currently in word war with Manzano. One entertainment columnist has already accused Manzano of ingratitude.

A PMPC member, who requested anonymity, said: “Mahal na mahal pa naman siya ng PMPC pero bakit gano’n siya? Masyado niyang inapi ang PMPC. Sayang, iginagalang pa naman namin siyang TV host. Magaling pa naman siya.”

“Sana naman ay hindi na siya nagsalita ng against sa PMPC. Sana ay naging confined na lang siya sa kanyang preference pero pinag-compare pa niya ang mga award-giving bodies,” said another active member of the pioneering movie press club in the Philippines.

Arthur Quinto, a former vice-president of the club, meanwhile, declined to comment on the issue, saying he respects the stand of the two conflicting parties.

Misunderstanding

When reached for comment, Manzano explained that it was not his intention to hurt the organization.

Manzano said AnakTV and MTRCB awards should not be compared with other award-giving groups like the Star Awards.

He explained: "Ang AnakTV po is not a commercial endeavor. Kumbaga para silang NGO (non-government organization), ginawa nilang hanapbuhay ang pagbabantay… para siguraduhin na ang hindi karapat-dapat na papanoorin o ipalalabas ay matitigil. At iyon din po ang trabaho ng MTRCB.”

He said the objectives of AnakTV and MTRCB are quite similar with his former job as head of the Optical Media Board.

Manzano’s former wife, Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos, and their son, Luis, also defended the “Game KNB?” host.

Manzano, meantime, said he believes that the misunderstanding between him and the PMPC members has already been settled.