What a proud moment for the Philippines!
Broadway legend Lea Salonga and actress Liza Soberano have officially joined the stellar voice cast of DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming film ‘Forgotten Island’ — a major animated feature inspired by Philippine mythology.
The announcement, shared by DreamWorks on social media, quickly trended worldwide as Filipino fans celebrated the inclusion of not just one but two iconic Filipino voices in the same Hollywood project.
Also lending their voices to the film are H.E.R., Manny Jacinto, Dave Franco, and Jenny Slate.
Salonga, clearly overjoyed, couldn’t contain her excitement and posted in all caps: “AYAN NAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!”
This marks another international milestone for the ‘Miss Saigon’ and ‘Aladdin’ star, whose timeless voice continues to resonate in global productions.
For Liza Soberano, ‘Forgotten Island’ signals another breakthrough in her growing Hollywood career, following her debut in the 2024 romantic comedy Lisa Frankenstein. Fans flooded her social media with messages of pride and support.
Directed by Januel Mercado — the Filipino-American filmmaker behind ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ — and Joel Crawford, the animated adventure follows lifelong best friends Jo (voiced by H.E.R.) and Raissa (voiced by Soberano) who find themselves stranded on a mystical island called Nakali. As they explore its secrets, they discover that their only chance of returning home may come at a heartbreaking cost.
Produced by Mark Swift, Forgotten Island is described as a “broad, party comedy adventure” that pays homage to Filipino culture and folklore while showcasing a diverse, international cast.
Mercado took to Instagram to express his pride in the project: “It’s an honor to create alongside such extraordinary talent. We’ve poured our hearts into this story and we can’t wait for the world to experience it.”
‘Forgotten Island’ is set to hit theaters worldwide on September 25, 2026, under Universal Pictures — marking a landmark moment for Filipino representation in Hollywood animation.
