BINI at the Philippines Premiere of Forgotten Island Instagram/@forgottenislandmovie
LOS ANGELES — Filipino music is central to DreamWorks Animation’s “Forgotten Island,” whose soundtrack brings together BINI, SB19, Lea Salonga and other Filipino and Filipino American performers alongside composer Nathan Matthew David’s Philippine-influenced score.
The film opened in U.S. theaters Friday, Sept. 25, after beginning its Philippine theatrical run Sept. 23. Back Lot Music released the 37-track soundtrack Sept. 18.
David, a Filipino American composer born to Filipino parents, said he hopes the DreamWorks production encourages audiences to explore Filipino artists and musical traditions beyond the film. In developing the score, he traveled to the Philippines and worked with Filipino artists and cultural advisers, incorporating instruments including kulintang, gandingan and agung.
BINI performs “A Parallel World,” written by David and Shawn Wasabi, with another version featuring Salonga. SB19 recorded “Mga Kababayan,” written by Francis Magalona and Jimmy Antiporda and produced for the group by RADKIDZ.
The soundtrack also includes “BRB,” performed by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano and co-written by H.E.R. and Ryan Tedder; Sophia Laforteza’s version of INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart”; Ruby Ibarra and Carl Angelo’s “Salbahe Ako”; and Guapdad 4000 and P-Lo’s “Double Up.” Salonga also appears as a featured vocalist throughout David’s score.
Written and directed by Joel Crawford and Filipino American filmmaker Januel Mercado, “Forgotten Island” follows longtime friends Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R. and Soberano, who enter Nakali, a fantasy world populated by creatures inspired by Philippine folklore. The cast also includes Dolly de Leon, Manny Jacinto and Jo Koy.
David has said he sees the film as an opportunity to introduce wider audiences to Filipino music and filmmaking while encouraging them to discover more work by Filipino artists beyond the production itself.
