'Forgotten Island': Upcoming animated epic Is a love letter to Filipino culture and music

"Forgotten Island" is premiering Sept. 25 by Universal Studios.

Anticipation is reaching a fever pitch for DreamWorks’ upcoming animated epic Forgotten Island, especially after early preview audiences—including a rapturous crowd at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival—met the film with a roaring five-minute standing ovation.

The buzz isn't just about the breathtaking animation or emotional storytelling; it’s about a historic moment for Filipino representation on the global screen.

         FYI: Click here to view trailer of 'Forgotten Island''

Produced by DreamWorks Animation, the movie serves as a high-profile celebration of Filipino identity, values, and precolonial history. For the first time on this scale, a major Hollywood studio feature film is putting the sights, folklore, and unmistakably vibrant sounds of the Philippines right at center stage.

“What's been thrilling for us all along is giving a voice to Filipino culture and Filipino stories, and seeing how that has translated into this freshness in the music... Many amazingly talented Filipino artists have come together to create this unified...” says Joel Crawford, who along with FilAm Januel Mercado.

A historic tapestry of sound

What sets Forgotten Island apart is its intentional, genre-spanning soundtrack engineered by composer Nathan Matthew David and Universal Pictures’ SVP of Film Music Angela Leus. The music acts as a cultural bridge: when the story begins in the human realm, the score hums with nostalgic '80s pop, '90s analog synths, and classic hip-hop.

With both H.E.R., left, and Liza Soberano born in the Bay Area, the voices
for the 'best friends" in Forgotten Island.

The moment the main characters step through a mystical portal into the world of Nakali, the musical palette undergoes a radical evolution. The soundtrack bursts open with deep cultural heritage, weaving together:

• Indigenous Tribal Instruments & Chanters: Rich, multi-layered rhythm arrangements that ground the fantasy world in real ancestral heritage.

• Traditional Gandingan: A southern Philippine talking gong utilized specifically for mythical character moments.

• The Las Piñas Bamboo Pipe Organ & Tagalog Choir: Sacred, historic sonic textures rarely heard in mainstream Western filmmaking.

Universal Pictures' film music team notes that the track captures an unforced, natural chemistry. The vocal delivery mirrors the growth of two strong Filipinas, serving as the musical heart of the film's transition into the magical world of adventure.

An all-star Filipino & FilAm musical lineup

R&B artist and Grammy winner H.E.R., aka Vallejo-born Gabby Sarmiento, was not asked to create a song for the film. However, it happened organically. After viewing  the feature onscreen, she was inspired to write "BRB" which stands out for seamlessly integrating Tagalog lyrics into modern pop structures. This design choice is meant to ground the upbeat track in authentic Filipino language and culture.

The song delivers a rich, dual-vocal dynamic featuring both H.E.R. and co-star Liza Soberano, who was born in Santa Clara, California. 

The P-pop group BINI made performed "Parallel World" part of Forgotten Island's soundrack
 at the recent ComicCon in San Diego.

To execute this ambitious sonic vision, the filmmakers assembled an unprecedented lineup of global Filipino powerhouses, delivering original tracks and reimagined anthems:

• H.E.R. & Liza Soberano: The lead voice actors team up on the title track "BRB," an original contemporary pop anthem written by Oscar and Grammy winner H.E.R. The track fuses Tagalog lyricism with upbeat pop energy to mirror the central bond between lead characters Jo and Raissa.

• BINI: The "Nation's Girl Group" brings their signature energy with "A Parallel World," a synth-pop original track produced alongside Shawn Wasabi and David.

• SB19: The undisputed kings of P-pop bring high-octane modern appeal to a classic, dropping a cover of Francis Magalona’s iconic nationalist hip-hop track "Mga Kababayan."

• Sophia Laforteza: The Filipina star from global girl group KATSEYE lends powerhouse vocals to a completely reimagined cover of INXS’s "Never Tear Us Apart."

• Lea Salonga: The Broadway legend provides haunting vocal textures across the score and chant work during key transformation scenes.

• Ruby Ibarra & Carl Angelo: Heavyweight FilAm hip-hop talent Ruby Ibarra joins Carl Angelo to deliver "Salbahae Ako," a fiery original track showcasing Pinoy rap at its finest.

The music reinforces the cultural significance of Forgotten Island. The movie it is the first major Hollywood-backed animated feature film deeply rooted in Philippine culture and folklore. 

The cast of Forgotten Island includes some prominent Filipino and FilAm talent, including H.E.R. as Jo, Liza Soberano as Raissa, alongside Lea Salonga, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, and Jo Koy.

By centering authentic language, native instrumentation, and an undeniable roster of talent, Forgotten Island is shaping up to be more than just a box-office event—it’s a major cultural celebration for the global Pinoy community.

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