DreamWorks’ Filipino-inspired adventure brought back the stories I grew up hearing and the people I’ve shared my life with.
I grew up watching Shrek, Puss in Boots, and Rise of the Guardians. So seeing DreamWorks make an animated film inspired by Filipino culture already felt personal. I followed the screenings and guest appearances, excited that the studio behind so many of my childhood favorites was telling a story that looked and sounded like home.
I’ll admit I came in a little biased watching Forgotten Island yesterday. I wanted to love it. But beyond the pride of seeing Filipino talent and folklore on that scale, the film brought back things I wasn’t expecting, like my parents’ stories, my college best friend, and a friendship that recently just slipped away.
Showing in Philippine cinemas since September 23, the film follows Jo, voiced by H.E.R., and Raissa, voiced by Liza Soberano. Their lives are about to take different directions when they enter Nakali, a mythical island where getting home could cost them their memories of each other.
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The stories that kept us up at night
I grew up hearing relatives talk about kapre, tiyanak, and manananggal, especially those who lived in the province. Add Shake, Rattle & Roll, the Halloween specials of Magandang Gabi, Bayan, and later, books and comics like Trese, and these creatures have occupied my imagination for years.
My mama and papa even told me that when my mother was pregnant with me, they believed a tiktik had taken an interest in her. In their telling, it could smell pregnant women and would come for their unborn children. Similar beliefs appear in recorded Filipino folklore. I don’t know what happened, but imagine hearing that as a child. Of course, I grew up afraid of the manananggal.
Seeing these creatures in Forgotten Island brought back the voices of the people who first described them to me. The animation is vivid, colorful, and joyful, even when the beings themselves are frightening. I loved seeing that world come alive. And yes, the manananggal still scares me, even with Lea Salonga voicing her.
We know what it means to say goodbye
The 1990s setting makes Jo and Raissa’s impending separation feel especially heavy. Staying close wasn’t as simple as opening a group chat. For Filipino families with loved ones overseas, that uncertainty feels so familiar. Wanting someone to build a better future while wishing they could stay.
Jo and Raissa reminded me of my college best friend. We grew up together, traveled together, and exchanged bracelets. Those little things hold entire chapters of our lives. I’ve also lost a friendship through silence, without one big argument or a proper goodbye. Watching the film reminded me that distance isn’t always what separates people. Sometimes we simply stop reaching out.
That’s what kind of moved me the most. Memories matter because of the people who made them with us. A bracelet or photograph can mean very little to someone else and everything to you. The friendship here made me want to take better care of my own.
Even the portrait of Jesus felt like home
The karaoke, lechon, accents, and beach gatherings all sparked recognition. Then there was the portrait of Jesus, the same kind I’ve seen in so many Filipino households. Such a small detail, but it immediately brought back the homes I knew growing up.
Here’s a special clip from the movie that screams very Pinoy:
I also loved Lola’s place in the story and how she introduces the girls to Nakali. So many of our earliest stories come from older relatives. We remember the creatures, but we also remember who told us about them.
That personal connection runs behind the scenes, too. Writer-directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado drew inspiration from the women in their families, while Mercado’s visits to the Philippines and his mother’s photo albums helped shape the setting. Knowing that made the familiar details feel even warmer.
So much Filipino talent to be proud of
Alongside H.E.R. and Soberano, the cast includes Lea Salonga, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, and Jo Koy. Dave Franco’s weredog Raww was another highlight for me, a character I enjoyed in this strange, beautiful world.
Hearing Katseye’s Sophia Laforteza and P-pop groups Bini and SB19 on the soundtrack added another layer of pride. Filipino voices, music, and stories coming together for a worldwide audience. I’m happy we get to have this.
I’d love for younger Filipino viewers to discover these stories through Forgotten Island, and for the adults watching with them to share the versions they remember. For millennials who grew up with family tales and televised Halloween specials, there is plenty here to bring back. For me, it became a beautiful love letter to our culture, with friendship and family giving all that folklore its weight.
I went in excited to see something Filipino from a studio I grew up loving. I came out thinking about my parents, my best friend, and the people whose memories I still carry. The manananggal can stay in the theaters. The rest, I’m glad I brought home.
Watch the full trailer:
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