Dustin Yu’s breakthrough MMFF Year

Dustin Yu’s breakthrough MMFF Year | Daily Tribune

Dustin Yu is living the kind of breakthrough year that many young actors only dream of. With two major films in the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival lineup — the horror entry Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins and the multi-studio romance-drama Love You So Bad — he steps into the spotlight as one of the festival’s brightest rising stars. But for Dustin, the excitement goes far beyond festival buzz. This moment also marks a long-awaited reunion with friends who shaped his journey long before the red carpets and camera lights.

In Love You So Bad, co-produced by Star Cinema, GMA Pictures and Regal Entertainment, Dustin stars as LA, sharing top billing with fellow Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition Season 1 alumni Bianca De Vera and Will Ashley. For the young actor, the collaboration feels like destiny fulfilled.

“Working with Bianca… Si Bianca we formed a special relationship inside PBB. And now, that we’re working together, it makes it even more special,” he shared.

He remembered how they used to dream about this very moment: “It’s exciting because it’s our first time working together. Because in PBB we’re just talking about working together,’ and now it’s a dream come true for us.”

For Dustin, the realization of those conversations feels nothing short of a blessing. “It’s so fun. Now thinking about it, it really is a blessing. She had a big impact on me,” he said with a smile.

His reunion with Will Ashley holds just as much significance. Will, a seasoned actor despite his youth, brought a sense of grounded professionalism to the set — something Dustin deeply appreciated.

“We know Will has been in the industry for a long time. I’m super grateful and honored to work with him. For sure, he has a lot of experiences,” Dustin said. He also fondly remembered their earlier collaboration: “It’s also funny because we’ve worked together before at Mano Po.”

Return to the horror franchise that started it all

In addition to the romance-drama, Dustin continues to build his horror credentials in Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins, marking his return to the legendary franchise he first joined two years ago.

“I did Shake, Rattle & Roll two years ago. But this time around, it’s different — it’s MMFF. My character here is more detailed, people will like it more. I really worked harder. I would say it’s really special to me. After PBB, this is my first project,” he said.

In the film, Dustin plays Riel, a devoted brother willing to go to extraordinary lengths for his family — a role he carries with deep personal pride. He joins a powerhouse cast that includes JM Ibarra, Fyang Smith, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Richard Gutierrez and Karina Bautista.

Beyond MMFF: A momentum that keeps growing

Even after the festival season, Dustin’s schedule shows no signs of slowing. He’s part of the upcoming ABS-CBN and GMA Network collaboration The Secrets of Hotel 88 — a multi-genre series that reunites him with more PBB alumni, extending the spirit of shared beginnings and intertwined journeys.

What makes Dustin’s rise even more meaningful is how unexpected it was for him and his family. He entered showbiz with no certainty of when — or if — his big moment would come.

“Well, in showbiz, for me, you wouldn’t really know when you’re going to get a big break. So, I just waited for the right time. When PBB came along and after it, I said, ‘wow, it’s a good thing I waited’ [for] almost three years. Perfect timing,” he asserted.

New chapter filled with promise

From unexpected beginnings to back-to-back MMFF films and long-awaited collaborations with friends who feel like family, Yu’s year is nothing short of transformative. What shines through in all his stories — whether about Bianca, Will, or the roles he now steps into — is a journey shaped equally by patience, gratitude and the quiet certainty that dreams come true when the time is right.