Following its run at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan is set for a nationwide theatrical release beginning June 3, bringing its timely exploration of memory, truth, and disinformation to a wider audience. Directed and written by acclaimed filmmaker Dustin Celestino, the film stars Dolly de Leon, Jojit Lorenzo, Zanjoe Marudo, and Mylene Dizon as four Filipinos grappling with the aftermath of a painful political defeat in a society where facts are increasingly contested and history is slowly fading from public consciousness.
The film follows Kiko, a political strategist questioning the value of a lifetime of advocacy; Bea, a history professor determined to preserve a past many would rather forget; David, a disillusioned speechwriter caught in the very narratives he seeks to challenge; and Mela, an election lawyer forced to confront long-buried family secrets. As truths blur and memories become vulnerable to erasure, each character embarks on a deeply personal journey to reclaim meaning and hold on to what matters.
Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan marks the latest work from Celestino, whose previous feature Ang Duyan ng Magiting earned the Special Jury Prize and Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble Acting at the 2023 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival and received seven Gawad Urian nominations, including Best Picture. A multi-awarded playwright and educator, Celestino is known for creating works that examine Philippine history, identity, and social realities through compelling and socially relevant storytelling.
Featuring cinematography by Kara Moreno and led by a powerhouse ensemble cast, Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan offers a poignant reflection on the importance of remembering in an age of disinformation. As memory itself becomes an act of defiance, the film challenges audiences to confront difficult questions about truth, history, and responsibility when it opens in cinemas nationwide starting June 3.
