MANILA, Philippines — The cast and filmmakers of DreamWorks Animation’s "Forgotten Island" are heading to Manila on Aug. 25, giving Filipino fans a chance to meet the voices and creatives behind the new animated film.
Lead voice actors Liza Soberano and H.E.R., directors Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford, and producer Mark Swift will visit the Philippines for the “Tayo Na, Philippines!” celebration at the SM Mall of Asia Main Atrium at 7 p.m.
The Philippines will be the first international stop for the cast and filmmakers of their global promotional journey.
The Manila visit also serves as a homecoming for members of the team with personal ties to the country. Soberano and H.E.R. will return to celebrate the film with local audiences, while Mercado is Filipino-American. Crawford’s wife and family are Filipino, and Swift made several trips to the Philippines during the film’s development to immerse himself in the culture that helped shape its world.
H.E.R. teased the upcoming visit on her Instagram Story, writing, “see you soon” alongside a Philippine flag emoji.
Soberano also shared her excitement about returning home.
“Aghhhhh!!! I’m so excited to be back home sharing this incredibly beautiful movie with my favorite people in the whole wide world!!” she wrote.
“See everyone at the SM Mall of Asia on August 25th!!” she added.
In "Forgotten Island," Soberano and H.E.R. voice Jo and Raissa, two best friends who have been inseparable since grade school but are preparing to take different paths after high school.
While celebrating their final night together, the two stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to Nakali, a fantastical island populated by magical and mythological creatures inspired by stories they grew up hearing from their Filipino families.
Their adventure becomes a fight to preserve their friendship after they discover that their memories of each other are the price for returning home.
Jo and Raissa must find a way off the island before they forget their years together, aided by a group of unlikely companions, including Raww, a well-meaning but hapless weredog voiced by Dave Franco.
Tony Award winner Lea Salonga voices the Dreaded Manananggal, the island’s most feared creature.
The all-star voice cast also includes Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy and Ronny Chieng.
Written and directed by Crawford and Mercado, and produced by Swift, "Forgotten Island" reunites the filmmaking team behind "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish."
The film builds its story around friendship while drawing from Filipino mythology and cultural influences, introducing international audiences to creatures and legends familiar to many Filipino families.
DreamWorks Animation’s "Forgotten Island" is distributed by Universal Pictures.
