| Separada | |
| Director: | Chito S. Roño |
| Starring: | |
| Music: | Nonong Buencamino |
| Cinematography: | Jose Batac Jr. |
| Editing: | Joe Solo |
| Studio: | Star Cinema |
| Distributor: | Star Cinema |
| Runtime: | 118 minutes |
| Country: | Philippines |
| Language: | Filipino |
Separada (English: A Separated Woman) is a 1994 Philippine melodrama film directed by Chito S. Roño from a screenplay written by Ricky Lee and Tessie Tomas. The film stars Maricel Soriano and Edu Manzano, who were separated in real life in 1991, as the married couple whose marriage became dysfunctional when the husband committed an affair with another woman, leaving his wife to take care their two children single-handedly.[1] It also includes the special participation of Eddie Rodriguez, Liza Lorena, and Lani Mercado, and the introduction of then-child stars Patrick Garcia and Angelica Panganiban in cinema.
Produced and distributed by Star Cinema, the film was theatrically released on 12 October 1994 and became successful at the box office and critical reception.[2] In 2018, the film was digitally restored and remastered by ABS-CBN Film Restoration, in partnership with Central Digital Lab.[3]
Melissa became a single parent to their two children, Vincent and Jenny, when she discovered that her husband Dodie committed an affair with another woman.
Director Chito S. Roño directed many films of different genres including family dramas and romance and when it comes to directing films about "separation", he decided to make Separada unique from most films about the said subject. He said that he wanted to direct a film "that is sophisticated, something different from the usual domestic melodrama" and departs the idea of a woman going into a state of sadness and despair when her husband ditches her for the mistress.[4]
Sharmaine Arnaiz, who was cast as Sandy in the film, said that she is not concerned and worried about typecasting her as the "mistress" and she admitted that the film relates to her because the separation between Maricel and Edu's respective characters are reminiscent to her parents' separation.[5]
Chantal Ramos, a reviewer for Sinegang.PH, gave the film four out of five stars, praising its plot, direction, acting performances, and emotional impact to the audience. According to Ramos, the film is described as "a querida movie that, for once, prizes authenticity over sensationalism" and "a stark contrast" to the other film also helmed by Roño, Lee, and Soriano, Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin.[6]