Theatrical poster for Forgotten Island, now playing in theatres. Photo: Universal Pictures / DreamWorks Animation.

Filipino folklore meets Hollywood animation in a new adventure featuring some of the biggest names in Filipino entertainment.

What do you get when you put Lea Salonga, Liza Soberano, H.E.R., Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, BINI and SB19 into a DreamWorks animated film? A magical Filipino adventure called Forgotten Island.

Set in the Philippines in the 1990s, the film follows best friends Jo and Raissa, whose lives take an unexpected turn when a mysterious sand dollar opens a portal to Nakali, a forgotten magical island. There, the two encounter creatures drawn from Philippine mythology, including the Manananggal, Batibat, Tiyanak, Duwende, Kapre and Kataw.

But beneath the fantasy and adventure is a very human story about friendship, growing up, memories and the fear of being left behind.

Leading the impressive Filipino cast is international theatre and recording star Lea Salonga, who voices Manang, the formidable Manananggal. Liza Soberano voices Raissa, while Filipino-American Grammy winner H.E.R. voices Jo. The cast also includes Filipino-American actor Manny Jacinto, acclaimed actress Dolly de Leon and comedian Jo Koy.

The Filipino connection doesn’t stop with the voice cast.

Filipino-American animator Januel Mercado co-directed the film with Joel Crawford, while Filipino artists played a significant role in bringing the magical world of Nakali to life. Quezon City-based Snipple Animation Studios also contributed hand-drawn 2D animation to the production.

And Filipino music lovers have even more reason to watch. The soundtrack features an impressive lineup of homegrown and Filipino talent, including BINI, SB19, Sophia Laforteza of KATSEYE, Ruby Ibarra and Carl Angelo. BINI performs the original song A Parallel World, while SB19 takes on a new version of Francis M.’s beloved Mga Kababayan.

For Filipino audiences, Forgotten Island offers something special: familiar mythical creatures and Filipino traditions presented on a global animated stage, backed by an extraordinary lineup of Filipino talent.

It is fantasy, friendship and Filipino folklore rolled into one colourful Hollywood adventure and one that Filipino audiences can proudly call their own.

Forgotten Island is now showing in Winnipeg movie theatres.

– Pilipino Express