'Ruthless' Rachel Alejandro reunites with Dean Rosen for 'Songs for Selina'
MANILA, Philippines — Rachel Alejandro is following up her 2025 Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) Best Supporting Actress win with a big screen return playing her most ruthless movie character yet in “Songs for Selina."
The music-themed film marks Rachel's reunion with director Dean Rosen who co-wrote the 2018 historical film "Quezon's Game" where Rachel played the former First Lady Aurora Quezon.
Rachel and Dean's friendship dates back to when the two shared a hilarious duet in the musical "Monty Python's Spamalot."
Both "Songs for Selina" and "Song of the Fireflies," for which Rachel won her MIFF trophy, are about music — the first explores the menacing side of the recording industry, the second tells the inspiring story of the world-famous Loboc Children's Choir.
"I began work on both films around the same time. Not only are the titles of the two projects similar, they both focus on music in the Philippines," Rachel said.
In "Song of the Fireflies," Rachel portrays a gracious real-life patron of the arts Equet Butalid, while in "Songs for Selina" she's a cunning record producer in the person of Emily Santos.
"I play powerful, influential women in both, whose support and influence can bring Filipino singers to the next level. But one uses her power to uplift while the other uses it for personal gain," she said.
Related: Jay R helps bring 'Songs for Selina' to Philippine cinemas
Aside from the meaty role and the chance to work again with writer-director Dean, Rachel was also drawn to the project because of the courage of her producer friends, couple Mica Javier (who plays the titular character) and Jay R.
"Songs for Selina" dares to show the dark side of the music industry through the friendship of the singer Selina and a composer Maya (played by Rachel Coates) and what they go through to pursue their dreams.
"The theme of female friendship is very strong. The film shows how women have the power to raise each other up to our full potentials," Rachel said.
As the story unravels, Emily challenges Selina to go to great lengths for fame and fortune— a situation that really happens in showbiz.
"Many actors and performers are forced by management to pretend to be this and that, hide their true selves or even who they love — as in the case with love teams — just to be marketable," the actress ended.
Co-starring with Rachel, Mica, and Rachel are Audie Gemora, Nicole Laurel, Gian Magdangal, Gab Pangilinan, Bendeatha, Anne Guathier, Lean Mamonong, Tami Monsod, George Schulze III, and Jay R.
"Songs for Selina" premieres in Philippines cinemas beginning March 18.
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