MANILA — Queer film "Marupok AF" director Quark Henares shared the challenges of getting an R-18 rating for the movie from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, which initially was rated X.

"Marupok AF," which is now called "Marupok A+", centers on the life of transgender woman Janzen Torres (EJ Jallorina) and her struggles to find love.

Movie review: Maris Racal charms her way in disturbing 'Marupok AF'

In a lengthy post on Wednesday, Henares admitted that the film first got an X rating.

"This all started when the MTRCB asked us to revise all our marketing materials (poster and trailer) to remove 'AF', which, of course, is inherently inane. What if AF meant 'Always, Forever?' But fine. Iwas gulo. I present to you, 'Marupok A+'," the director said.

"We were shocked to learn that the film review itself resulted in an X. It did show at Cinemalaya after all, and didn't warrant an X IMHO. The reason? Because the title appears as 'Marupok AF' in the film. This is where we start wading into f**ked up territory (don't x this x, MTRCB!)" he added.

Henares felt like there was double standards compared to Hollywood films, coupled with "discrimination" against the trans community due to the intimate scene of the lead star.

"This is also where the Hollywood double standard comes in. If you watch a movie like 'Deadpool' the F-bomb is dropped every 10 minutes. Why should that get an R-16 while we get an X for not even showing the word 'F**k' in the opening title?" Henares said.

"Even more absurd is that we were allowed to show the title 'Marupok As F**k' in full during the end credits. SHAKING. MY. GODDAMN. HEAD.

"Of course, there could be a darker, more discriminatory reason for this. There is a love scene involving a trans actress in the film, very tastefully directed by @iamrodafrog, with no nudity whatsoever. And maybe the use of 'Marupok AF' in the opening titles is just misdirection."

Determined to show the film to the public, Henares appealed for the film's rating stressing the relevance of the themes of the movie.

He noted how expensive it was to comply with the requirements of the board hoping that they would be "fairer and transparent" in the future.

"Replacing 'Marupok AF' w 'Marupok A+' involves hiring a graphic artist and an editor, plus putting it through DCP processing again. That's 100K for the most insane reason ever. This in a year when not a single Pinoy movie has made a profit and producers are suffering," he said.

"I really just wish there was more transparency and fairness to how the MTRCB rates films. We don't even deserve an R18. 'Marupok AF' is the only film I've worked on that has gotten an X. And I directed 'Gamitan' and wrote 'Sex Drive' and 'Hibla.'"

Starring EJ Jallorina, Maris Racal, and Royce Cabrera, "Marupok AF" will be available in Ayala Malls Cinemas starting July 10.