This Is What the ‘Forgotten Island’ Cast Loves Most About Being Filipino
The mainstream Filipino representation we have been craving for DECADES is finally here in the form of Universal and DreamWorks brand-new, action-packed, uproariously funny animated film Forgotten Island!
Written and directed by the duo of Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the film takes place in ‘90s Philippines and tells the story of childhood besties Jo (HER) and Raissa (Liza Soberano) and the adventures they face when they come across a portal that leads them to the mythical land of Nakali Island. Filled with all sorts of creatures, like a well-meaning but goofy weredog named Raww (Dave Franco), a overgrown, blue, baby-like vampire named Bungi (Manny Jacinto), and the terrifying yet fierce diva The Mananangal (Lea Salonga), Nakli seems like a picture-perfect tropical paradise, but when Jo and Raissa realize they have no recollection of what happened after the portal transported them there and they must retrace their steps to get their memories back, all sorts of antics ensue, and the result is a heartfelt film that combines friendship, coming-of-age, and Filipino culture into a modern classic that is sure to be beloved for generations to come.
At a special Los Angeles screening and celebration event in honor of the groundbreaking animated film that was hosted by TikTok and Universal/DreamWorks, Episode Ever After writer and Bumping Purses host Raffy Ermac got to chat with the four main Filipino stars of Forgotten Island, and they each dished on what they love most about being Proudly Pinoy! (Spoiler alert: food was a very common denominator!)
“My favorite thing about being Filipino… the food!” Oscar- and Grammy-winning vocalist HER said when asked the question. “And the talent! The talent that we have!” “No matter where I go, if there’s another Filipino, we instantly have a connection!” Soberano adds. “Always cousins, always family.”
“The food! When people come out and come to the Filipino cookout, I think they become family,” Jacinto, who plays Bungi in the film, said before adding that his favorite Filipino dish of all time is kare-kare.
Echoing both HER and Jacinto’s sentiments, Salonga, a screen and theater legend who was the first Asian actress to win a Tony , said her fave thing about being a member of the Filipino community is absolutely the food. So much so, that no matter where she is, she doesn’t have to go far to get her fix when she needs some good, old-fashioned Pinoy comfort.
“I have my mother’s adobo, chicken curry, and afritada recipes memorized, so when I’m feeling homesick, I just cook!”
Watch our full video with the stars of the film in the video above! Forgotten Island hits theaters on September 25!
FORGOTTEN ISLAND TRAILER HERE:
