The Man in Selya's Life

The Man in Selya's Life
VCD cover of the film
Directed byCarlos Siguion-Reyna
Written byBibeth Orteza
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyYam Laranas
Edited byManet A. Dayrit
Music byRyan Cayabyab
Production
companies
Distributed byStar Pacific Cinema
Release dates
  • September 7, 1997 (1997-09-07) (TIFF)
  • February 11, 1998 (1998-02-11) (Philippines)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino

The Man in Selya's Life (Filipino: Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Selya) is a 1997 controversial Filipino drama film directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna and written by his wife, Bibeth Orteza. Starring Rosanna Roces, Ricky Davao, and Gardo Versoza, the story follows a woman who confronts her own prejudice among the community of intolerant, bigoted, and homophobic gossipers when she chooses between two men: a high school principal who is a closeted gay man and a man who wants more commitment with her. It is the second and last film of Rosanna Roces with Reyna Films and one of the films directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna that bravely features taboo topics in Philippine cinema.[1]

A co-production of Reyna Films and Star Cinema, via its Star Pacific Cinema label, it is the first film produced by the latter entity where its story and themes are aimed at adult audiences. It was first premiered overseas in Canada on September 7, 1997, at the 22nd Toronto International Film Festival, exhibited under the "Contemporary World Cinema" section, before it received a domestic commercial release. on February 11, 1998. Since then, it became a blockbuster and received accolades from international film festivals and controversy from the censors.[2]

In 2015, the film was digitally restored and remastered by ABS-CBN Film Restoration.

Synopsis

The story revolves around Selya, a schoolteacher. She wants more commitment from Bobby, with whom she has a sexual relationship, but Bobby refuses to give her what she wants, and he leaves her.

Selya runs away and ends up in a little town where she meets Piling, who is also a schoolteacher, and Ramon, a closeted gay man. The townspeople are homophobic, and she begins to hear vicious criticisms and unbridled gossip as she embarks on a relationship with Ramon. Selya realizes that things won't end well as Ramon does not want a sexual relationship with her, and she walks out on Ramon even as he proposes to her.

Selya returns to Bobby, only to regret her decision when he gets her pregnant and still doesn't change. Selya then decides to return to Ramon and raise her child with him. Eventually, she becomes happy with her decision to live in a civil union with Ramon, though their relationship remains platonic, and Selya realizes her worth as a woman.

In the end, as Bobby tries to take her and their child away from Ramon, Selya confronts her own irony, daringly exhibiting her strength of character as she conquers her physical desires and chooses the more emotionally rewarding bond.

Cast

Main cast
Supporting cast
  • Allan Paule as Ricardo "Carding" Santos
  • Eva Darren as Piling
  • Crispin Pineda as Imo
  • Gigi Locsin as Belen
  • Cednic Millado as Abet
  • Macky Villalon as Diday
  • John Nielsen Apilado as Ramoncito
  • Renato del Prado as Ambo
  • Virgie Lopez as Diding

Reception

Controversy

The scene where two men are having intercourse was deemed "offensive" by the censor board,[3] who initially gave an X rating before they reconsider it.[4]

Accolades

Award-giving organization Date Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
48th Berlin International Film Festival February 21, 1998 Teddy Award - Jury Prize The Man in Selya's Life
Directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna		 Won [5]
Newport Beach International Film Festival April 2, 1998 Best Asian Film Won
13th Turin International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival April 21, 1998 Special Jury Award - Feature Competition Won
47th FAMAS Awards April 8, 1999 Best Actress Rosanna Roces Nominated [6]
Best Child Actor John Nielson Apilado Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Tejero, Constantino (May 22, 2000). "Carlitos' way with "meaningful" cinema". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer Group of Companies. p. E6.
  2. ↑ Tiongson, Nicanor G. "Armida Siguion-Reyna: Film Actor, Producer, Industry Leader". Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  3. ↑ Enriquez, Marge C. (December 14, 2003). "'Glow' in the dark". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer Group of Companies. p. C5.
  4. ↑ Dionisio, Veron (April 7, 2001). "How the MTRCB does its work". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer Group of Companies. p. E5.
  5. ↑ Orteza, Bibeth (October 7, 2001). "RP film wins grand jury prize at US filmfest". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer Group of Companies. p. A26.
  6. ↑ "47th FAMAS Awards (1998)". Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on February 14, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2026.


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