Bituin Escalante ‘claims’ third Dustin Celestino film

Actress says she’d play a ‘dog handler’ just to work with Celestino again.

Bituin Escalante confessed that even though the character in “A.ni.mál,” which is getting her rave reviews from Cinemalaya patrons, wasn’t written for her, she would still insist on joining director Dustin Celestino’s film.

“I’m claiming it,” she said when asked whether she and Celestino are already working on their third project. They also collaborated on “Ang Duyan ng Magiting” in 2023.

“Dahil sinabi ko na sa kanila wala akong pakialam kung wala kayong nasulat na character para sa akin [for ‘A.ni.mál’]. Pwede akong maging dog handler. Pwede akong maging newscaster. Lahat gagawin ko para lang mapabilang sa proseso na ‘yon.”

Escalante said working with Celestino and his wife and producer Janelle Celestino has been refreshing because they practice what they preach, particularly in how people in the industry should be treated.

Made on a shoestring budget, “A.ni.mál” was shot in just four days using iPhones. Escalante believes it proves quality filmmaking is possible despite limited resources.

“So, we realize, it can be done. And I’m thankful na tinuloy nila because a script like that, hindi magagawa ang pelikulang ganyan dahil walang budget. Work on iPhones, limit the time, but the quality ang iakyat, it can be done.” Last year, Celestino’s “Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan” also got into Cinemalaya.

Escalante said she was willing to take on practically any role because she was genuinely interested in the story.

“Kaya akong bumitaw na kasali ako sa ‘A.ni.mál’ dahil genuinely interested ako doon sa kwento. Ang dami namang magagaling na artista sa Pilipinas pero ilan ang script, ilan ang pagkakataon na mabigyan ng gano’n kagandang character?” she said.

One of the most memorable parts of the experience was working opposite her real-life husband, Mano Domingo.

“I’m surprised how much I enjoyed the scene with my husband. Kasi, I suppose it’s hard to fake pero you’re also conscious of doing it because you’re real-life partners,” she said. “When the moment started, we got lost in it and I genuinely enjoyed how it felt.”

The actors had around four readings and one camera rehearsal, spread out over two years as the project took shape.

“Mas kilala namin yung mga character kasi ang tagal na namin silang binabasa,” Escalante said. “Doon kami sinuerte na hindi sila fake na mga tao. We didn’t have to act them, they were just there.”

Perhaps what surprised her most was how relatable the characters became despite the terrible decisions they make.

“When you watch people like this, parang feeling mo you cannot relate to them, that you won’t make the same decisions. Pero ‘yon ang nakakatakot eh. They are just people like us,” she said.

The film’s painful ending, meanwhile, left Escalante seeing a pointed critique of Filipino voters and the choices they continue to make.

“Totoo eh. We’re still here. We’re still voting for the same people,” she said.

“We make excuses for them because we love them. When are we going to own up to the decisions we make? Kailan tayo aamin sa pagkakamali. Pwede naman magkamali eh. Boto ka ng boto ng mali. Yon ang malaking takeaway.”

“A.ni.mál” is an entry to the 2026 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, which runs until Aug. 16.

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