MASAHISTA

The urban area of Manila accommodates many prostitution establishments. Iliac is a migrant from Pampanga and works in one of these establishments as a masseur who tends homosexual customers. One night, Iliac meets a homosexual romance novelist. As their session progresses, his customer gradually grows fond of him and eventually it lead to consummation.

The title refers to the job of the main character, Iliac, played by Coco Martin. Their workplace was actually a male prostitution den. Since Iliac was uneducated, being a masseur was his only means of survival after moving to Manila from Pampanga to find a job.

Iliac’s willingness to lay himself bare for his customer, even going far as having sexual intercourse with him, are also points of concern. This shows just how much people are prepared to do anything for money. The gradual development of Iliac’s relationship with his customer reflects the degradation of morals and values of the people.

The death of Iliac’s father is one of the key points in the film. His father was bed-ridden due to liver complications and it drove Iliac to go to Manila to find a job even if it means prostitution. After his father’s death, his reason for being a masseur was gone and yet it was implied that he still continued to be a prostitute.Another is the development of Iliac’s relationship with his customer. At first, the customer was displeased with the selection of his masseur because Iliac was not the one he chose. After several sessions with Iliac, he grew fond of him and their relationship developed, and eventually lead to a sexual relationship.

The sequence reflects the situation of the present day Philippine society. At first, people may seem to be against unlawful activities but as these activities continue, people slowly become accustomed to them and eventually, these are absorbed by the society, staining it permanently.

The film had a loose end. Since there was no remedy to Iliac’s situation and it was implicated that he continued being a masseur for homosexual customers. It mirrors the present Philippine society, that people are indifferent towards an illicit lifestyle. 

The film “Masahista” presents a clear picture of how hard life is for rural migrants who engage in prostitution just to survive in Metro Manila. It also displays how people in the present Filipino society are willing to do almost anything for money whatever the consequences may be.

The dominant themes in the film Masahista are: (1) Resorting to prostitution as a last resort. Iliac was a migrant from the rural province of Pampanga. It was implied that he does not have high educational attainment. Therefore, he resorted to prostitution for him to help his bed-ridden father and;(2) Rural-Urban migration due to poverty. Rural poverty is the main reason why people from rural areas go to urban areas in search of a higher income.

The prostitution industry in the Philippines has been widely known. Most of the time, the poor people are the victims of this societal illness. Since they lack money to spend for education, they are unable to attain enough educational background that could have granted them the opportunity for decent job. As a result, they get involved in prostitution – they earn while selling a piece of their moral and dignity. The society may judge them but they are left with no other option but to stick to what keeps them sustained and alive.

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