Is Belle Mariano singing the Filipino version of the 'Moana 2' theme song?
As the sequel to Disney's hit film Moana sails near, the studio intrigued Filipino fans after they teased the singer behind the Filipino version of the film's theme song Beyond.
On their Instagram account, Disney Studios Philippines posted a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the actress lending her vocals for the song, which is titled "Anong Daratnan" in Filipino.
Fan were also given the chance to hear a snippet of the lyrics, which go, "Ako si Moana. Lupa at karagatan, sa sarili, ay tapat, sumpa ko man. Hahayo, lalayo, nang puso. May madatnan."
While the video did not reveal the full face of the singer, many social media users took to the comments section to point out that it was Belle Mariano.
"Graveh goosebumps. Super proud, parang ako ang nanay ng batang ito. Belle Mariano, ikaw na talaga," one user praised.
"That’s our Belle Mariano. So proud of you! You really are a Disney Princess," another wrote.
Beyond will be originally sung by American actress Auliʻi Cravalho, who plays the titular sea-sailing princess. The song was written by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, who took over songwriting duties from the first film's composer Lin-Manuel Miranda.
"During the process of writing this, we spoke to a lot of people who come from Oceania and the Polynesian Islands, and what rings true to all of them is their deep connection to their heritage and how they honor their ancestors," Barlow and Bear said in a statement.
"No matter how daunting this journey is to Moana, she can’t refuse it. It scares her but also exhilarates her because it’s a call from the ancestors. And the idea that the ocean connects us all is a very big part of Pacific Island culture and wayfinding culture," they added.
Cravalho meanwhile said that Beyond "really impacted" her as it's about "going beyond what you’re capable of, beyond your comfort zone, and not doing it just for yourself, doing it for your people."
Moana 2 will reunite the strong-willed heroine with the shapeshifting demigod Maui three years after the first film for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers.
After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.
Apart from Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson will also return to reprise his role as Maui.
The film will open in theaters on Nov. 27 this year.
