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MANILA, Philippines — Lea Salonga can deliver on any performance she is tasked with, say “Forgotten Island” co-stars Liza Soberano and H.E.R., even voicing a demon that can tear its body in two.
The Filipino-American actresses voice the lead characters of DreamWorks Animation’s newest movie inspired by Filipino culture, mythology, and folklore.
Raissa and Jo (Liza and H.E.R., respectively) are stranded in the mystical world of the forgotten island of Nakali, where the only way home may mean losing a lifetime of memories and emotions.
Lea — who recently became the first Filipina to receive a Hollywood Walk of Fame star — is the voice of Manang, the island’s feared Dreaded Manananggal.
In an exclusive interview, Philstar.com asked H.E.R. (whose real name is Gabrielle Sarmiento Wilson) what new Filipino themes she learned while working on “Forgotten Island.”
The Grammy winner shared learning about other local evil creatures or aswang that she had never heard of before.
H.E.R. grew up familiar with the Manananggal, an aswang capable of separating the upper half of its body that flies with bat-like wings, preying on vulnerable victims before the sun rises.
The singer-actress was fascinated to know more about other creatures like the Dwende or dwarves, which she found cute.
Liza pointed out that “Forgotten Island” depicted the Dwende as cute, but they may not be as adorable in reality if they indeed exist.
Both agree that viewers should watch out for how Lea voices Manang, with H.E.R. reiterating again what she knew about Manananggal growing up alongside her love for the award-winning thespian.
“[Lea] really killed it, you know. Did we expect anything less? No, but it’s very special. She’s awesome in this film and it’s really cool,” H.E.R. said.
So much that both H.E.R. and Liza want another “Forgotten Island” project revolving around Manang because of Lea’s performance.
Liza similarly praised how incredible Lea is in the movie, adding how the Manananggal is a great representative creature for Filipino culture.
She pointed out how other cultures have scary figures like vampires and werewolves, but the Manananggal is so unique to the Philippines.
“I haven’t heard of a creature like [the Manananggal] anywhere else in the world,” Liza ended.
“Forgotten Island” also features the voices of Dolly de Leon, Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy, Filipino-Canadian actor Manny Jacinto, Filipino-American actress Amielynn Abellera, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, and Ronny Chieng. It hits Philippine theaters on September 23. — Kristofer Purnell
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Credit belongs to: www.philstar.com
