Forgotten Island: A Joyous, Unapologetically Filipino Animated Adventure

Forgotten Island is a vibrant, culturally rich animated feature that marks a significant milestone for Filipino representation in mainstream Hollywood. Co-directed by Joel Crawford and Filipino-American Januel Mercado, the film follows best friends Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano) as they navigate a surreal world of fading memories on the mystical island of Nakali. Set in 1990s Philippines, the story explores themes of friendship and migration with genuine emotional depth.

What distinguishes the film is its unapologetic celebration of Filipino culture. The filmmakers drew heavily on the country’s rich folklore, populating Nakali with mythical creatures such as the manananggal, tiyanak, and kapre. These are not mere decorative elements but integral to the narrative. The animation style ingeniously blends traditional hand-drawn techniques with CG, even incorporating 2D anime sequences for flashback scenes, a visual language that reflects the directors’ formative influences. The vibrant colour palette and meticulous attention to detail—from the glossy lechon at a despedida party to the everyday presence of jeepneys—create a world that feels authentically lived-in rather than superficially exotic.

A significant highlight is the participation of Lea Salonga. She voices The Dreaded Manananggal, the film’s fearsome antagonist, bringing a formidable presence to the role. Her involvement extends to the film’s soundtrack, where she lends her vocals to several tracks composed by Nathan Matthew David, including “Ninakaw Sa Akin,” “Magnanakaw,” “Balik,” and “Bahagi Mo”. Salonga’s place in musical history is already assured: at eighteen, she originated the role of Kim in the West End production of Miss Saigon, becoming the first Filipina to win a Tony Award for her performance. She would later become the singing voice of two Disney princesses, Jasmine and Mulan, and in 2011 was named a Disney Legend.

A personal note: I have seen Salonga with her daughter and husband at Hong Kong Disneyland on more than one occasion when I was working in the theme park, a testament to her enduring relationship with the Disney legacy. Her involvement in Forgotten Island, alongside a predominantly Filipino principal cast including Dolly de Leon and Jo Koy, underscores the film’s commitment to authentic representation both in front of and behind the microphone.

The film’s emotional core rests on the chemistry between H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, whose performances convincingly depict a friendship strained by impending separation. While the overall narrative arc may follow a predictable path, the journey itself is frequently surprising, filled with imaginative set-pieces and visual invention.

Forgotten Island ultimately succeeds not just as a piece of entertainment, but as a cultural artefact. It demonstrates that a story rooted in specifically Filipino traditions—its myths, its food, its warmth—can resonate with universal themes of memory, identity, and the pain of letting go. It is an impressive achievement for DreamWorks Animation and a joyous, unapologetically Filipino adventure that deserves international audiences.

Elven Ho