Story perspectives

DreamWorks' “Forgotten Island” Features Filipino Stars H.E.R., Salonga

6/20/2026

Summary

DreamWorks Features Filipinos

DreamWorks Animation announced Forgotten Island will feature Filipino artists H.E.R., Lea Salonga, BINI, SB19 and Sophia Laforteza.
Directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, with film-music VP Angela Leus, said the score will blend 1980s-90s and Filipino-American music.
H.E.R. will voice Jo and co-write “BRB” with Liza Soberano.
Lea Salonga will voice the Dreaded Manananggal.
BINI will debut “A Parallel World” while SB19 covers “Mga Kababayan.”

Summary

DreamWorks Debuts

DreamWorks announced that “Forgotten Island” will debut on Sept. 25 as its most prominent Filipino-themed animation.
The film, set in 1990s Philippines on the memory-fading island Nakali, follows friends Jo and Raissa.
Directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado cite Philippine mythology and their own childhood friendships as core inspirations.
Analysts predict the September release could spur additional studio investment in Southeast Asian animated projects.

Summary

BINI Scores Film

BINI will contribute the song “A Parallel World” to the film after their historic Coachella debut.
Nathan Matthew David and Shawn Wasabi produced the track, marking their first major animation credit.
Angela Leus, senior vice president of Film Music at Universal Pictures, chose BINI as a “no-brainer” after a deep dive into Filipino music creators, citing the group’s rising profile and cultural relevance.

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DreamWorks Features Filipinos

DreamWorks Animation announced Forgotten Island will feature Filipino artists H.E.R., Lea Salonga, BINI, SB19 and Sophia Laforteza.
Directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, with film-music VP Angela Leus, said the score will blend 1980s-90s and Filipino-American music.
H.E.R. will voice Jo and co-write “BRB” with Liza Soberano.
Lea Salonga will voice the Dreaded Manananggal.
BINI will debut “A Parallel World” while SB19 covers “Mga Kababayan.”

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