Rachel Alejandro hopes to elevate women through film roles

March 12 ------ Rachel Alejandro hopes that portraying powerful women on screen will help push Filipino singers to the next level, as she takes on a new role that reflects both the empowering and dark sides of the music industry.

Fresh from winning Best Supporting Actress at the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Hollywood for the musical drama “Song of the Fireflies,” Alejandro returns to the big screen in “Songs for Selina,” which opens in local cinemas on March 18.

In the new music-themed film, Alejandro plays Emily Santos, a ruthless record producer whose influence can make or break rising artists. The role, she said, highlights how powerful women in the industry shape the careers of Filipino performers. “I play powerful, influential women whose support and influence can bring Filipino singers to the next level,” Alejandro said in a statement, comparing her role in the new film to her character in “Song of the Fireflies.”

The two projects, both centered on music in the Philippines, were developed around the same time. In “Song of the Fireflies,” Alejandro portrayed Equet Butalid, a real-life patron who supported the internationally acclaimed Loboc Children’s Choir. In contrast, “Songs for Selina” explores the more menacing side of the recording industry.

In the film, Alejandro reunites with writer-director Dean Rosen, who co-wrote the historical drama “Quezon’s Game,” where she portrayed former First Lady Aurora Quezon. Their professional relationship goes back years, including when they shared the stage in the musical “Monty Python’s Spamalot.”

“Songs for Selina” also attracted Alejandro because of the determination of its producers, singer-actors Mica Javier and Jay R, who pushed through with the independent project despite uncertainties about distribution. The film has already streamed in the United States through platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Tubi before its Philippine theatrical release.

The film follows Selina, a singer, and Maya, a composer, as they navigate ambition, friendship, and the pressures of the music business. Alejandro said the story highlights the importance of women supporting one another. “The theme of female friendship is very strong. The film shows how women have the power to raise each other up to our full potential,” she said.

However, the film also touches on the realities of show business, including how some artists are pressured to hide their identities or conform to marketable images, such as in the case of love teams. As the country marks Women’s History Month, Alejandro said stories about influential women — whether uplifting or flawed — can spark conversations about the role women play in shaping the entertainment industry. “Songs for Selina” stars Alejandro, Javier, Rachel Coates, Jay R, Audie Gemora, Nicole Laurel, Gian Magdangal, Gab Pangilinan, Bendeatha, Anne Guathier, Lean Mamonong, Tami Monsod, and George Schulze III.

Source: inquirer.net