H.E.R., Liza Soberano talk aswangs, Filipino roots at the ‘Forgotten Island’ Manila press conference

Actress Liza Soberano and singer H.E.R. opened up about their Filipino roots and the mythical creatures featured in the upcoming DreamWorks Animation film during their Forgotten Island fan meet in Manila on Aug. 25.

The event brought H.E.R., Soberano, Filipino-American director Januel Mercado, American director Joel Crawford, and producer Mark Swift together with Filipino fans ahead of the film’s local release.  

H.E.R., who voices Jo in the animated film and whose real name is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, said she grew up hearing stories about the manananggal, one of the most recognizable creatures in Philippine folklore. But working on Forgotten Island also introduced her to other mythical beings she had never encountered before. 

“Honestly, there were new aswang that I had never heard of,” H.E.R. said. “Because I grew up hearing stories about the manananggal. And so, I was very surprised that, like, more of the creatures I had never heard of.” 

Talking more about the film, H.E.R. also found a personal connection with her character Jo, an artistic high school graduate.

“I feel like I relate to Jo so much,” she said. “I think she just brought out my inner child and my inner playfulness and chaos.” 

Playing Jo also reminded H.E.R. to embrace that side of herself, saying, "It was so much fun. I think I just learned more so to have fun and be exactly who I am, you know, at all times and be unapologetic about it."

For Soberano, who voices Jo's best friend Raissa, being part of Forgotten Island carries a larger significance. The actress said she does not necessarily see herself as being at the center of the growing movement to bring Filipino stories and talent to international audiences. Instead, she sees herself as benefiting from the work of Filipino artists who came before her. 

“I just feel very proud. I don't necessarily feel like I'm at the center of it,” Soberano said. 

“When I think about where I'm at right now, I'm just so grateful for the likes of people like Miss Dolly (de Leon), Miss Lea (Salonga), all of the people that have been paving the way for the longest time so that I could be able to get access to these types of auditions, to these types of projects, and these rooms,” she added. “It's all the work that they did during the times that it wasn't as easy.”

Forgotten Island follows best friends Jo and Raissa as they are transported to the mysterious island of Nakali, a fantastical world inspired by Philippine mythology. H.E.R. voices Jo, while Soberano lends her voice to Raissa. 

The film also features a star-studded Filipino and Filipino-American voice cast, including Lea Salonga, Manny Jacinto, and Jo Koy. Salonga voices a manananggal, bringing one of the Philippines' most recognizable mythical creatures into the DreamWorks world.

Forgotten Island is set to premiere in Philippine cinemas on Sept. 25.