Vivamax's first theatrical release, "Unang Tikim," received a double X rating when initially screened by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

Cult director Roman Perez Jr. revealed this during an interview at the Black Entertainment Scriptwriting Awards 2024, held last Saturday at the B Hotel in Quezon City.

Perez believes this is the first time in recent years that a local movie has received a double X rating, but the director said he was prepared for it.

"Walang double X noon. First time. Nagulat nga raw ang mga taga MTRCB. Ano raw ang nangyayari? Pero ready ako sa ibang cuts (ng movie). Pag binawal nila ito, may iba akong ilalagay," Perez said. 

(There was no double X then — the first time. The MTRCB people were surprised. What is going on? But I am ready for other cuts (of the movie). If they ban it, I will put something else)

An X rating is a classification of motion pictures disapproved by the MTRCB for public viewing or for television broadcasts.

In the second screening, "Unang Tikim" received an R-rating, meaning the film may contain any of the following: themes, language, violence, nudity, sex, horror, and drugs whose treatment may not be suitable for children below eighteen (18) years of age.

"Unang Tikim" will be shown in cinemas beginning Aug. 7.

Perez said "Unang Tikim" would be the first girls' love (GL) movie to be shown in local theaters. "GL and Boys Love (BL) movies are very popular on the streaming platform especially in Thailand. Pero sa Pilipinas, wala pang pinapalabas na GL movie (sa sinehan). First time itong mangyayari sa Philippine movie industry."

(GL and Boys Love (BL) movies are very popular on streaming platforms, especially in Thailand. But in the Philippines, GL movies have not yet been released in theaters. This marks the first time this has happened in the Philippine movie industry.)

Perez said he was thankful for SM Cinemas, which allowed the screening of the erotic film. "Nagpalakpakan ang cinema owners after the screening. First time nila makapanood ng ganito. I know alam nila na may audience ito." (The cinema owners applauded after the screening. It was the first time they could watch something like this. I know they knew it had an audience.)

He added: "This is cinema. Who knows andoon pala ang audience? This time baka maintindihan na nila ito at bumalik na sila sa sinehan." (This is cinema. Will the audience show up? Maybe this time they'll understand and return to the movies.)

'Unang Tikim'

“Unang Tikim” stars Angeli Khang and Robb Guinto, with Matt Francisco to stir up the story. 

Yuna (Angeli Khang) and Becca (Robb Guinto) are madly in love. They are each other’s first touch, first kiss, and first sexual experience. It seems like nothing can break them apart until Becca is forced to migrate to the U.S. to be with her family. 

Between the two, Becca is the lipstick lesbian. She’s also an artist and an introvert. When she loves, she gives her all. Meanwhile, Yuna is bisexual. She looks innocent but aggressive when it comes to lovemaking. She is generally supportive and caring to the people she loves, but she cannot stand long-distance relationships.

Nicco (Matt Francisco), Yuna’s boss, likes her so much that he makes a way to get close to her while she is in a long-distance relationship with Becca. He eventually wins her heart when the girlfriends mutually decide to break up. 

Four years later, Yuna is now engaged to be married to Nicco. Becca, now a professional photographer in the U.S., returns to the Philippines to complete her dream photo exhibit. She has a new lover, Trisha (Christy Imperial). Destiny makes their paths cross again, and both realize they are still in love. 

They say first love never dies, but is it worth all the risk? Can Yuna turn her back on her stable and loving relationship with Nicco for a second chance with Becca?