As anticipation builds for the Philippine premiere of DreamWorks Animation’s new film “Forgotten Island,” lead voice actors Liza Soberano and H.E.R. have opened up about their deep connection to the project and its cultural significance.
In a recent interview, Soberano shared that when she read the script for Raissa, she saw striking parallels between the role and her own life.
“I was like, wait, did they write this for me? I knew they didn’t write it for me. I was auditioning,” Soberano said.
“There were so many parallels between what’s going on with Raissa’s life in the movie and what was going on in my life. So, I immediately connected to the character, and I understood her struggles.”
Personal parallels: Lisa sees herself in Raissa
According to her, that personal resonance shaped her performance throughout production.
“It just came so naturally for me to pull emotion for the emotional sequences, because I was living through exactly what Raissa was going through,” she explained.
Beyond her character work, Soberano emphasized the film’s broader cultural impact, saying it gives Filipino children something they can watch and see themselves in.
The actress expressed hope that the film inspires Filipino kids to dream big, enjoy life, and cherish the time spent with their loved ones.
H.E.R. reconnects to heritage through music and role
Meanwhile, Grammy-winning artist H.E.R., who voices the character Jo, shared her own journey of cultural rediscovery through the film.
Raised in the United States with Filipino roots, she revealed that her connection to her heritage runs deeper than many fans may realize.
“A lot of people don’t know that I sing Tagalog songs. My mom listened to a lot of Tagalog songs, and I still remember them,” she said.
H.E.R. shared that seeing Filipino culture portrayed so prominently on screen moved her deeply.
“This is the first time you’re seeing Filipino culture on the big screen in this way, and how emotional it was to see the Filipino sun in the movie and for that to be so prominent and so Filipino in the film,” she remarked.
One particular casting choice that felt especially meaningful for the young artist was the legendary Lea Salonga, who voices Manang – the manananggal – a mythical creature from Philippine folklore.
“And it’s Lea Salonga playing Manang. That was crazy. There’s a crazy connection and full-circle moment because I grew up loving Lea Salonga,” H.E.R. said.
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All-star cast and soundtrack celebrate Filipino talent
The film features a remarkable ensemble cast that highlights Filipino and Filipino-American talent.
Alongside Soberano and H.E.R., the cast includes Lea Salonga, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Manny Jacinto, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, and Ronny Chieng.
The soundtrack is equally impressive, bringing together BINI, SB19, Sophia Laforteza of Katseye, Lea Salonga, Liza Soberano, H.E.R., and more.
The Filipino experience on screen
Set in the 1990s, the film follows Jo and Raissa, two young friends whose bond leads them into the mystical realm of Nakali.
But before the magic begins, the film grounds itself in the familiar: the karaoke machine that never goes silent at family parties, the way food is shared and offered, the warmth of elders, and the natural integration of Tagalog into everyday speech.
According to the directors, these details are not added for “local color,” as they considered the most significant language of the film.
They make the world feel lived-in, authentic, and deeply personal.
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A new era of storytelling
For Filipino audiences, Forgotten Island is not just a film but a huge milestone when it comes to local storytelling.
It is a chance to see themselves, their traditions, their language, and their myths treated with the grandeur and wonder they have always deserved.
For everyone else, it is an invitation to step into a world where family, memory, and magic are the same regardless of race and culture.
Forgotten Island opens in cinemas nationwide across the Philippines on September 23, with sneak screenings scheduled for September 19 and 20.
The Philippines will be the first country in the world to premiere the animated feature.
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Bobbie Matias 
Geoffrey H. Latayan 
Eleni Poulios