A ruthless Rachel Alejandro in 'Songs for Selina'
Published Mar 9, 2026 05:19 pm
After winning Best Supporting Actress at the 2025 Manila International Film Festival in Hollywood for the film “Song of the Fireflies”, Rachel Alejandro returns to the big screen playing her most ruthless movie character yet in “Songs for Selina,” which opens in Ayala cinemas on March 18.
Rachel Alejandro
The music-themed film marks Rachel’s reunion with Dean Rosen, who co-wrote the acclaimed historical blockbuster, “Quezon’s Game”, where she played former First Lady Aurora Quezon. Their friendship dates back to when they shared a hilarious duet in the musical “Monty Python’s Spamalot”.
Both “Songs for Selina” and “Song of the Fireflies” are about music. The first explores the menacing side of the recording industry, while the second tells the inspiring story of the world-famous Loboc Children’s Choir.
Rachel reveals, “I began work on both films around the same time. Not only are the titles of the two projects similar, but they also both focus on music in the Philippines.” 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, Emily Santos. Rachel expounds, “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.”
Aside from the meaty role and the chance to work again with writer-director Dean, Rachel was drawn to the project because of the courage of her producer friends, couple Mica Javier (who plays the title character Selina) and Jay R. The singer-actress explains, “They decided to tell this story bravely, with no idea how they could get this indie project finished and released. Because of their determination, it’s streaming on Amazon Prime and Tubi in the US market and will now have an exclusive release in Ayala cinemas.”
“Songs for Selina” dares to show the dark side of the music industry through the friendship between Selina, a singer, and Maya, a composer, and the challenges they face in pursuing 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 potential,” Rachel elaborates.
As the story unravels, Emily challenges Selina to go to great lengths for fame and fortune— a situation that really happens in showbiz. Rachel says, “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.”
“Songs for Selina” stars an exceptional ensemble cast, including Rachel Alejandro, Mica Javier, Rachel Coates, Jay R, Audie Gemora, Nicole Laurel, Gian Magdangal, Gab Pangilinan, Bendeatha, Anne Guathier, Lean Mamonong, Tami Monsod, and George Schulze III.
The movie is presented by HomeWorkZ Entertainment and distributed in the Philippines by Black Cap Pictures. The film features music by Dean Rosen and Jay R. For updates, follow Songs for Selina on Instagram. (Robert Requintina)