After a triumphant run at the 2025 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, the deeply resonant film Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan is finally set for its wide theatrical release on June 3.
What began as a personal meditation on political heartbreak has evolved into a cinematic beacon for a nation still grappling with its identity and the ever-shifting landscape of truth.
During the talkback after the film’s private screening, writer and director Dustin Celestino shares that the film’s origins are rooted in the raw, lived experience of its creator. Speaking on the inspiration behind the project, the director reveals that the story came from the “disillusionment” of supporting a losing candidate—a feeling shared by millions of Filipinos.
“Nagsimuala siya from a disillusion na may sinuportahan akong kandidato tapos hindi siya nanalo. And ‘yung paniniwala ako nun, parang na-rattle ako, na-shatter na paano na? Paano na, ano na ang gagawin ko? Wala na bang pag-asa? Tapos over the years of contemplation, siyempre pinag-iisipan natin ‘to, nadadagdagan ‘yung karanasan natin, na-realize ko na it’s a matter of perspective na pwede tayong maglugmok pero pwede din natin siyang tignan as a challenge for all of us Filipinos to finally come together. Kasi hindi naman natin ‘to matatalo kung side-side tayo. Kasi dalawa lang naman talaga ang side, ang mga Pilipino at ang mga umaabuso sa mga Pilipino. So, siguro ‘yung invitation ko is to hold our leaders accountable whatever surname they may have. Kung ako, I will hold the people I support accountable, kasi pinag-invest ninyo ako kaya gawin ninyo trabaho ninyo. Sana lahat ng side ganun ‘yung attitude towards the leaders they select. So, inspirasyon ko talaga dito is, una, kung paano ko ibabalik ‘yung pag-asa sa sarili ko. Kailangan kong i-imagine or pag-isipan from a different perspective. Also, madami kaming pinagdaanan ng wife ko this year. She was diagnosed last year of non-gestational choriocarcinoma and now, she’s finally in remission. It’s a major miracle, so parang magbabago talaga ‘yung priorities mo kung para saan ang buhay. Kumbaga, ano ba ‘yung pwede naming pahalagahan, for example, mawala ako bukas, makalawa, ano ‘yung pwede kong pahalagahan sa buhay ko? And it’s something that I can be proud of na ‘yung paninindigan ko, ‘yung integrity ko, it’s something I can be proud of that I can go to my grave na taas noo na kung sino mang Diyos ang kaharap ko, ginalingan ko, Lord. Lumaban ako. Pinaglaban ko ang paniniwala ko sa inyo, pinaglaban ko ang tama. So kung ano man ‘yung maging resulta ng buhay ko, kahit malungkot ‘yan or masaya, mahirap man o mayaman, at the end of the it, taas noo kong haharapin ang creator natin.”
This raw honesty served as the foundation for a project that would eventually won at the local awards scene. Since its debut at Cinemalaya 2025, the film has garnered immense recognition, sweeping the acting categories with wins for Jojit Lorenzo, Mylene Dizon, and Nanding Josef. It further solidified its status at the Pinoy Rebyu Awards, where Dolly de Leon and Mylene Dizon tied for Best Lead Performance. Ranked 4th on Pelikula Mania’s Top 10 Picks for 2025, the film is widely praised for its unflinching and realistic portrayal of a nation processing the aftermath of a hopeful but polarizing election campaign.
On successfully mounting an award-winning film
“At the end of the day, ang inspirasyon natin as artist is number one, hindi lang naman para magpadala ng mensahe kasi pwede mo naman isulat as an essay, pwede naman siyang propaganda, pero ang pangarap kasi ng artist talaga is makagawa ng craft, ‘yung material that they can be proud of because of excellence of the craft, kaya siyempre, ang inimbitahan naming mga collaborators ‘yung mga pinakapinangarap naming makatrabaho. Ang PD namin, BenCar, sound designer ko si Nicole Rosacay, genius! Magagaling silang lahat. That’s why for me, it was a dream project enabled by the support of Nathan Studios, Ms. Nessa Valdellon, and sir Kayan, ‘yung mga investors. Para sa akin, regalo talaga, isang malaking privilege na we can finally afford to work with so many talented people.”
Beyond the technical brilliance and the accolades, the film carries a heavy social weight that feels more relevant than ever. As the calendar turns to 2026, the discussion surrounding the film has shifted from its artistic merits to its necessity in a landscape still plagued by the same issues it portrays. This leads to the ultimate goal of the project: reaching a wider audience through its nationwide release.
How important it is for you that the film will have a wider release on June 3?
“Ako, honestly nangarap ako na hindi siya kailanganin or maging irrelevant siya. Kasi, gusto ko, by the time na 2026, hindi na importante ang disinformation kasi natalo na natin pero hindi pala ‘yun ang sitwasyon. Of course, fulfilling for me na nabigyan ako ng platform to voice out a general idea of how we should or how we can, isang option to confront what’s going on. We can confront it not as, hindi kasi win-lose ‘to, hindi kasi ako outcome oriented na tao. Sa akin, basta ginawa ko ang best ko, kahit ano ‘yung outcome, pwede kong bitawan. Parang minsan may gagawin akong pelikula, hindi ninyo magugustuhan, pero pag ginawa ko naman ‘yung best ko, nandun pa din sa akin ‘yung fulfillment na there was this period of my life when I was operating at my optimum level because of a dream, because of a hope. So, ngayon nandun pa din ako, ginagalingan ko kasi nandun ‘yung pangarap ko na baka makapag-contribute, maaring hindi, pero the mere fact that I’m trying, makes my life beautiful. Na ang sarap mag-try, guys. Para kayong against all odds, parang napaka-romantic nung idea na may kalaban kang dragon tapos pangkaraniwang tao ka lang. ‘Yung metapora ng kaibigan ko, para siyang ang paglaban daw o ang pagtindig laban sa kapangyarihan ay parang pagkalmost sa pader. ‘Yung metaphor ng tunnel, sa kanya nanggaling ‘yun. Basta makita mo lang na may maliit kang marka, minsan enought na ‘yun.”
‘Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan’ will be out in more cinemas nationwide starting June 3, 2026. The film stars Dolly de Leon, Jojit Lorenzo, Zanjoe Marudo, Nanding Josef, Anna Luna and Mylene Dizon. Produced by Sine Metu, Kayan Productions and Nathan Studios, Inc.
Watch our video coverage of the talk back after the screening of ‘Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan.’