Forgotten Island star Liza Soberano took to social media to express how proud she is of the first Filipino-centred film from DreamWorks Animation, dedicating the Hollywood milestone to all her compatriots around the world.
In an Instagram post following the world premiere of Forgotten Island on Wednesday, September 23, at the George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, Liza described the action-adventure flick as “joyful, funny and heartfelt”, one that captures the essence of “friendship, family and finding the courage to chase something bigger for yourself”.
“I’ve loved this film from the moment I became a part of it, and knowing that it finally belongs to audiences feels so surreal,” the 28-year-old Filipino-American actress wrote.
“I’m so proud and excited that Forgotten Island is finally out in the world.”
Forgotten Island marks Liza’s second major project in the United States since she moved from the Philippines in 2022 in pursuit of a bigger career in acting.
She made her Hollywood debut in 2024 when she starred alongside Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse in Lisa Frankenstein.
Liza as Raissa
In the 2026 animation, she voices the character of Raissa, an adventurous, academically inclined young woman who gets trapped on the mystical, folklore-inspired Philippine island of Nakali with her lifelong, equally bubbly best friend Jo, voiced by another half-Filipino artist in H.E.R.
The magical turn of events happens as the two are about to part ways, with Raissa going to the US to study, while parentless Jo remains in the Philippines, where she works at a fast-food chain for a living.
Aiming to get back to the real world before Raissa’s flight to America, the two get themselves entangled with Filipino mythological creatures they only heard of as kids – all while battling tests of friendship, loyalty and defective memories.
Set in Manila during the 1990s, Forgotten Island brings to international viewers the Philippines’ very own fantastical universe and creative narratives passed down through generations.
‘This one’s ours’
For Liza, the film means so much more than just another multi-million-dollar animated project that kids at heart across the world will line up for at theatres.
It is a testament to evolving inclusivity in Hollywood and cultural representation that matters.
“Growing up, we didn’t get to see ourselves very often in films of this scale,” Liza said.
“Knowing that Filipino kids will get to walk into a theatre, see pieces of their culture and families on the big screen and recognise themselves in these characters means more to me than I can put into words.”
The actress said she hopes Forgotten Island will make Filipinos proud and help “create a future where the next generation grows up knowing that our stories belong everywhere – especially on the biggest screens in the world”.
Soberano added: “FILIPINOS, THIS ONE’S OURS!!!”
Message of gratitude
Liza also took the chance to thank her co-stars and the creators of the film, with special mention of its writers and directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, whom she characterised as “the heart of this film”.
On H.E.R., Liza stated that she “couldn’t have asked for a better bestie to experience this with”.
The actress also thanked DreamWorks Animation “for trusting a girl with big dreams from Quezon City, Manila, to give life to Raissa”.
READ NEXT: Music news: Seventeen’s Jeonghan and Joshua form JxJ, debut with ‘Dreamscape’
