Is Vivamax a porn platform? Here's what the company president has to say
During your casual Facebook scrolling, you've probably come across clips of Filipino starlets in titillating scenes with dark color grading. You may have spotted posters of women in revealing clothing serving "fierce" looks. Chances are they're from Vivamax, which has since been deemed as a (softcore) pornography platform. But the entertainment company's big boss has pointed out that, contrary to popular belief, it is not.
Vincent Del Rosario III, Viva Communications Inc. President and CEO, told Boy Abunda last February that no more than 80 of their films—out of over 900—are considered adult or risqué in nature.
"That did not even make up for 10% of the titles on the platform for mature audiences,” he said.
Rosario believes that with their emerging artists making much "noise" on social media for their "sexy image," many netizens have had the wrong impression that it's only what Viva offers.
Vivamax's stars include the then-relatively unknown AJ Raval and Angeli Khang, who are now dubbed as "Vivamax Queens." Others are Azi Acosta, Jela Cuenca, Cindy Miranda, Ayanna Misola, and Angela Morena.
Popular adult content creator Salome Salvi is also making her debut on Vivamax this March.
To reinforce that Vivamax isn't a porn platform, Rosario cited as examples the comedy film Revirginized starring Sharon Cuneta, live albums Tala: The Film Concert by Sarah Geronimo and Luvanne: The Comeback by Anne Curtis, and romantic drama 366 directed by Bela Padilla.
He also said they have a streaming platform other than Vivamax, i.e., Viva One (formerly Viva Prime), which offers wholesome and family-friendly shows.
It just so happens that Vivamax, which has over six million subscribers, have "edgier" content according to Rosario.
He also pointed out that Vivamax serves as an avenue for the country's finest directors to exercise their creative freedom, especially that the Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) won't allow it in cinemas. Among those who have directed movies for the platform include Brillante Mendoza, Joey Reyes, Mac Alejandre, and Joel Lamangan.
"I think the freedom of creating content na naiiba naman excites them, challenges them," Rosario said.
In any case, he assured the public that the streaming platform has safe parental controls. Users, whether they're 18 and up, will be required to provide a personal identification number or PIN to have access to adult contents.
"And then of course, we continue to adhere to the advocacy of MTRCB on responsible viewing."
The MTRCB, which has the mandate to regulate TV shows and cinemas but not streaming services, has launched the "Responsableng Panonood" campaign with Vivamax and Neflix to promote safeguards in their platforms.
"We respect our authorities kung ano ang limitations," Rosario said.
He's hoping for Viva One to become successful in the near future, especially that it will house mainstream artists and content, primarily series.
One of them is the upcoming adaptation of the popular Wattpad novel The Rain in España, whose cast members include Heaven Peralejo, Marco Gallo, Gab Lagman, and Bea Binene.
