The absent paternal figure is a central theme in Brillante Mendoza’s The Masseur (Masahista), which focuses on the plight of making a living independently and becoming gradually estranged from loved ones. Iliac (Coco Martin) is a handsome young man who struggles to remain financially secure and works in an all-male brothel. After being abandoned by his alcoholic father, the inexperienced masseur is forced to assume responsibility and provide for his family. He does this by joining a popular massage parlor in Manila, where both regulars and strangers tip according to the sexual bonuses they receive from the employees.