The Man in Selya's Life (Filipino: Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Selya) is a controversial 1997 Filipino drama film directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna and written by his wife, Bibeth Orteza. The film stars Rosanna Roces, Ricky Davao, and Gardo Versoza. In the film, a woman 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. This film is the second and last film of Rosanna Roces with Reyna Films and one of the films directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna that features taboo topics in Philippine cinema.[1]
A co-production of Reyna Films, headed by the director's mother, Armida Siguion-Reyna, and ABS-CBN's film production arm, 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. The film was released on February 11, 1998, and it became a blockbuster and received accolades from international film festivals and controversy from the censors.[2]
Synopsis
The story revolves around Selya (Rosanna Roces), a schoolteacher. She wants more commitment from Bobby (Gardo Versoza), 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 (Eva Darren), who is also a schoolteacher, and Ramon (Ricky Davao), 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.
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