MANILA, Philippines – Movie folk today expressed alarm at the appeal of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino to the movie industry not to depict scenes of actors smoking in their entries in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

Lily Monteverde, a perennial supporter of the MMFF with her various horror and drama entries over the years, is against Tolentino's appeal.

“Hindi pupuwede. Actors have to bring life to any role and if their character is smoking, it does not mean that they are setting a bad example to the youth," she said.

Members of the Directors Guild of the Philippines likewise opposed Tolentino's move.

“Is that an appeal or directive?" asked veteran director Soxy Topacio.

Topacio and fellow director Edgardo Boy Vinarao said this is an encroachment on artistic freedom.

Filmmaking, Topacio insisted, is essentially built on the nuances of characterization and if smoking will project the nature of a role or enhance cinematography, it is justified.

"Kahit pa ano sabihin niya, I will still go on with a smoking scene if the script calls for it," said Vinarao.

"What if I did a movie about PNoy?" added Vinarao, citing the President's smoking habit.

He also scored Tolentino for singling out the MMFF.

"Kahit naman sa anime may characters na nagsisigarilyo. Why not mention it? Children watch this and I believe they know how to distinguish reel and real life,” said Vinarao.

They also warned that Tolentino may be treading on questionable legal grounds since filmmaking is covered by the constitutional right of free expression.

Movie and Television Review and Classification Board Chairman Grace Poe Llamanzares also revealed that the Department of Health also consulted the agency regarding the guidelines in the possible implementation of a no-smoking directive in TV programs and films.

Llamanzares told ABS-CBN News that her agency has yet to discuss its merits next week.