Miguel/Michelle (1998)

• 57%
• 1998
• Drama
• Gil Portes
• Romnick Sarmenta
• Cris Villanueva
• Mylene Dizon

Miguel, a young trans woman from Quezon province, leaves the Philippines for the U.S. After seven years, she returns home, and her family discovers she had a gender affirmation operation and is now Michelle. She declares she will stay until her family accepts her. This proves iffy: mom is embarrassed by the scandal; dad is angry and rejecting, feeling his own manhood undermined. In a sub-plot, Michelle's best friend Julio, whom Michelle knows is gay, announces his engagement to Sonja. Michelle tries to talk Julio out of the marriage. Julio and Sonja's decisions, Michelle's changing relationship with her tatay, and her own need to confront anew the nature of her sexuality complete the film.