Abrahan then questioned why the same political families continue to dominate different positions of power.

“What is the real reason for the rise of the political dynasties?” he asked. “This is the repetition of what is happening in real life. The repetition of the names that are taking over the power. The political dynasties.”

He went further, pointing to relatives repeatedly occupying different government positions.

“Magkakapatid sa Senado, magkakamag-anak sa ibang-ibang posisyon, iisang angkan sa ibang-ibang upuan,” Abrahan said. “Itong walang katapusang pagpapalit-palit ng asawa, anak, kapatid, meron pa bang mas incestuous diyan?”

He urged audiences not to become desensitized to what is happening beyond the cinema.

“Marami pa tayong dapat kasuklaman at ikagalit sa labas ng sinehan,” he said. “Dahil ang totoong horror story ng bansang ito ay hindi ang nangyayari sa aming pelikula. Nangyayari ito sa Malacañang, sa Kongreso, sa Senado.”

“This rot, this corruption is our true intergenerational drama,” he added. “At dapat hindi tayo maging manhid sa mga nangyayari.”

Speaking to this writer after the awards ceremony, Abrahan admitted that the recognition was overwhelming.

“I’m very, very proud of the work that we’ve done,” he said. “When we saw it in the cinemas and people were reacting, it’s really a love-it-or-hate-it film, and I’m so glad that the jury enjoyed it.”

“For us, on top of making a great film that we’re very proud of, we get to be recognized,” he added.

Abrahan also recalled the unusual position of having a theater company involved in producing a film that eventually won major cinematic awards.

“One of the producers is Scene Change. We are a theater company,” he explained. “Kung hindi kami nire-recognize na legit sa teatro, sa pelikula meron na kaming award.”

For audiences who have yet to see “Mag-Iina,” Abrahan offered a deliberately cryptic description.

“Sana po mapanood niyo ang Mag-Iina. It is, to at least to some audiences, a mind**** of a film. Nakakabaliw po siya,” he said. “So be prepared to have a rollercoaster ride when you watch it.”

The filmmaker hopes the film's unsettling experience encourages viewers to confront their own emotions rather than simply consume the story and move on.

“Sana po maramdaman niyo yung gusto naming maramdaman, and that is na mabaliw kayo para mapatunayan hindi tayo manhid,” Abrahan said.

For Abrahan, the film's impact should ultimately extend beyond cinema.

“Marami pa tayong pwedeng maramdaman at kasuklaman bukod sa pelikula,” he said.

Despite "Mag-Iina" not being a traditional family film, Abrahan made sure to acknowledge one person who remained particularly important to him throughout the project.