Philippines gives "Da Vinci Code" film 18s cert

MANILA, May 16 (Reuters) The Philippine censor gave ''The Da Vinci Code'' film an ''adults only'' certificate today, banning under-18s in the Catholic country from seeing the controversial religious thriller.

Consoliza Laguardia told reporters the film, based on the best-selling fiction novel of the same title, required mature viewers because of a plot that involves Jesus Christ siring a child by Mary Magdalene.

SM cinemas, the Philippines' largest cinema chain, does not show R18 films.

But many Filipinos, under and over 18, are likely to catch the movie, starring Tom Hanks, on pirated DVDs.

Manila's hawkers have already started flogging a documentary on ''The Da Vinci Code'' as the real movie to cash in on public interest in the film, which will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in France on May 17.

The move will open in the Philippines on May 18.

Last week, the Philippines' powerful Catholic bishops gave priests guidelines on how to refute the book's plot and reminded parishioners that the novel was fictitious.

REUTERS SI BST1232