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Dustin Celestino dedicated his film Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan to those who lost hope after the last national elections.

The film first premiered at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival in 2025 and will have its nationwide screening starting June 3.

During the film's press conference, Direk Dustin admitted that he was among those deeply affected by the results of the 2022 elections.

“Parang na-rattle ako noon na, 'Paano na? Ano na ang gagawin ko? Wala na bang pag-asa?'” he recalled.

But instead of staying in that sadness, he turned it into inspiration to create Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan.

“Over the years of contemplation, siyempre, pinag-iisipan natin 'to, nagdadagdagan ang mga karanasan, na-realize ko na it's a matter of perspective. Puwede maglugmok-lugmok, pero pwede rin natin itong tingnan as a challenge for all of us Filipinos to finally come together.

“Kasi, hindi naman natin ito matatalo kung side-side tayo. Dalawa lang naman talaga ang side—ang mga Pilipino at ang mga umaabuso sa mga Pilipino.”

Through the film, Direk Dustin said, “Ang invitation ko is to hold our leaders accountable, whatever surnames they may have. I will hold the people I support accountable kasi pinag-invest n'yo ako, gawin n'yo ang trabaho n'yo. Sana lahat ng side ganun with the leaders they've chosen.

“Inspirasyon ko talaga dito ay, una, kung paano ko ibabalik ang pag-asa sa sarili ko. Kailangan kong imagine-in o pag-isipan from a different perspective.”

Aside from what happened during the elections, the director also went through personal challenges.

“Madami rin kaming pinagdaanan ng wife ko this year. She was diagnosed with cancer, and now, she's finally in remission. It's a major miracle. So, parang magbabago talaga ang priorities mo—para saan ba yung buhay?

“Kumbaga, ano yung puwede kong pahalagahan sa naging buhay ko? It's something that I can be proud of, yung paninindigan ko o yung integrity ko.

“It's something I can be proud of and something that I can go to my grave, taas-noo kung sino man ang diyos na kaharap ko, 'Ginalingan ko, Lord. Pinaglaban ko yung paniniwala ko sa inyo, pinaglaban ko yung tama. So, anuman yung maging resulta ng buhay ko, at the end of it, taas-noo kong haharapin ang creator natin.”

The film stars Mylene Dizon, Zanjoe Marudo, Dolly de Leon, Jojit Lorenzo, Nanding Josef, and Anna Luna.

As the film prepares for its theatrical release next month, Direk Dustin said he hopes it reaches people like him who have lost hope.

“Gusto kong mapanood 'to ng mga tao, specifically yung mga nawawalan na ng pag-asa. Wala naman tayong universal answer kung paano aayusin ang lahat. Some things take time, some things take resilience, di ba? Pero paano tayo magkakaroon nun kung hindi na tayo naniniwala na may pag-asang bumangon ang bansa natin.

“So, gusto kong mapanood 'to ng mga taong nawawalan na ng pag-asa para mapaalala sa kanila na sa dulo ng lahat ng 'to, lahat tayo [ay] abo. Ang ilalaban natin ay kung paano natin bibigyan ng halaga yung mga buhay natin ngayon. Para sa akin, isang bagay na puwede nating gawin. Para mabigyan ng halaga ang mga buhay natin, lumaban sa kasamaan,” he said.

He added, “If people see corruption as the end-all and be-all, wala na tayong pag-asa, pero para sa ibang tao, it's an opportunity to expand or increase the meaning of their lives.

“May hydra, may dragon, and you're asked to conquer it, di ba? Parang iniimbitahan kang humarap sa halimaw, and that act of courage is an opportunity that's not available to everyone all the time. So, we are in a unique situation; we are given opportunities to battle with the greatest monsters of our time. Para sa akin, it's inspiring.”