Despite the uproar
coming from various sectors, the one-night reunion concert of the Eraserheads
will push through on August 30 as planned. The event will
take place at the Bonifacio Global City Open Grounds, however, not at the CCP Open
Grounds as previously announced.
But while overzealous
fans are rejoicing in anxious anticipation of the momentous occasion,
supporters of the law barring tobacco companies from sponsoring major events
are protesting the involvement of Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing, Inc. (PMPMI)
in the concert.
As previously
reported, the company's flagship brand, Marlboro, is being touted as the
mastermind behind the grand rock n' roll happening.
In a statement issued
by the Department of Health (DOH) last week, Undersecretary Alexander Padilla
issued a stern warning against PMPMI: "If we are able to show and
prove that this concert is actually sponsored by you, by Philip Morris, then we
will truly train our guns on you for clearly violating the law."
DOH cited Republic Act
No. 9211, otherwise known as the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, as the reason PMPMI should withdraw from the venture.
RA 9211 prohibits
tobacco companies from sponsoring sports, cultural, and artistic events of
individuals or team athletes, artists and performers since any sponsorship
endeavor would practically entail "advertisement or promotion of any cigarette
or tobacco company, tobacco product or tobacco use, name, logo or trademarks
and other words, symbols, designs, colors or other depictions commonly
associated with or likely to identify with a tobacco company."
Dr. Maricar Limpin, who
is the chairperson of the Council on Tobacco or Health and Air Pollution,
likewise appealed to the members of the Eraserheads to disassociate themselves
from PMPMI, which would consequently halt the reunion concert.
"Considered one of the
most influential bands in the country, Eraserheads has become a role model of
sorts for our young, I hope they will rise up to the challenge, do more than
play music and help young Filipinos reach their potential—which they cannot
achieve when they're ill, or worse, dead," reasoned Limpin.
18 AND ABOVE. Last week, PMPMI public affairs and communications
manager, Dave Gomez, issued a statement defending the company's participation
in the reunion concert. The statement was printed in full by entertainment
columnist Ricky Lo in the entertainment section of the Philippine Star last
Saturday, August 9.
"In response to
numerous inquiries from the public including the media, we confirm that the
Eraserheads will be performing in a one-night only event as part of our
Marlboro Nation promotions which we have been running for the past two years
exclusively for our adult smokers.
"The event is not open
to the general public. Access to the event is age-restricted, strictly by
invitation only and intended for members of PMPMI's adult smokers' database,
trade and business partners, and selected adult guests. Invites to the event
will be distributed exclusively through PMPMI's website, www.marlboro.com.ph, which is restricted only to persons 18 years
old and above. Invites will be issued free of charge, with a corresponding
control number, and will be non-transferable. For admission to the event
itself, invitees are required to present the personalized invite containing
their name and birth date and a corresponding government-issued ID for
verification. The event will be held on August 30 at the Bonifacio Global City
open grounds in Taguig City."
Mr. Gomez argued that
the company is not violating RA 9211, citing the provisions stated in Section
23 of the said Act:
"Promotions must be
directed only to persons at least eighteen (18) years old. No person below
eighteen (18) years old or who appear to be below eighteen (18) years old may
participate in such promotions. The participants in promotions must be required
to provide proof of age."
As for the sponsorship
issue raised by some, Mr. Gomez corrected the notion by saying that the company
is not acting as event sponsor but rather, as a promoter—two completely
different terms as defined by the law.
"RA 9211 allows tobacco
promotions with restrictions. On the other hand, tobacco sponsorship is not
allowed," noted Gomez.
The statement further
added, "Aside from the provisions on promotion that clearly allows us to stage
the performance, we are not making a contribution to a third party. We are
organizing the event ourselves and the event will not take place without the
support given to it by PMPMI.
"The Eraserheads performance
is not a form of sponsorship. PMPMI's participation in the event is not as a
sponsor, but as a promoter. And this promotional event is open only to persons
18 years old and above. If any person will present or try to present a
falsified or fake invite or government ID, PMPMI will not hesitate to
criminally prosecute the offender to the full extent of the law."
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