The Mythic Awakening: DreamWorks Dives into the Heart of the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The whispers of the diwata are no longer confined to the shadows of Mount Makiling—they are heading to the global big screen. DreamWorks Animation has officially pulled back the curtain on its next tentpole feature, "Forgotten Island," and the first trailer confirms what fans have long suspected: this is a love letter to Philippine mythology on a scale never before seen in Western animation.

Directed by Januel Mercado—the visionary co-director behind the Academy Award-nominated Puss in Boots: The Last Wish—the film looks to do for Filipino folklore what Coco did for Mexican tradition and Moana did for Polynesian culture.

A Journey Beyond the Veil

The story follows two high school graduates, Jo and Raissa, whose post-graduation summer takes a turn for the supernatural. What begins as a routine trip quickly spirals into a "comedy adventure" that transports the duo to a hidden realm where the ancient myths of the Philippines aren't just stories—they are breathing, living, and often dangerous realities.

The trailer teases a world lush with bioluminescent jungles and towering stone monuments that evoke the legendary Biringan City. We catch glimpses of creatures that have haunted Filipino dreams for centuries, reimagined with the trademark DreamWorks polish: majestic spirits, mischievous tricksters, and perhaps even the colossal Bakunawa moon-eater.

A Powerhouse Filipino Cast

Perhaps most compelling is the film’s commitment to authentic representation, assembling a "vocal Avengers" of Filipino talent:

H.E.R. (Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson) & Liza Soberano: Lending their voices to Jo and Raissa, the duo anchors the film’s emotional core. Their chemistry in the trailer suggests a grounded, relatable friendship set against an impossible backdrop.

The Icons: The supporting cast is a masterclass in Filipino excellence. Global theater legend Lea Salonga joins alongside BAFTA-nominated Dolly de Leon, bringing a gravitas that suggests we’ll be seeing the more regal and formidable side of Philippine deities.

The Comedic Relief: Jo Koy rounds out the lineup, likely providing the sharp-witted humor necessary to navigate the film’s high-stakes peril.

Why "Forgotten Island" Matters

For decades, Philippine mythology has remained one of the most untapped goldmines in the fantasy genre. With its blend of pre-colonial animism, Spanish-influenced gothic horror, and vibrant island biodiversity, it offers a visual palette unlike anything else.

By placing Mercado at the helm, DreamWorks is leaning into a director who knows how to balance high-octane action with genuine existential heart. If the trailer is any indication, "Forgotten Island" won't just be a journey for its protagonists—it will be a global introduction to the Tikbalangs, Sarimanoks, and ancient gods that have waited a long time to be remembered.

The archipelago is calling. Are you ready to find the island?

Bekët Panitikan: Para sa Katwiran at Kalikasan

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Kumukuha ng katutubong lakas ang tema ngayon ng Buwan ng Panitikan para itanghal ang kapangyarihan ng panitikan na pagkaisahin ang bayan. Hango ang “bekët” sa mga Agutaynë́n ng Palawan at nangangahulugan ito ng pagkakaisa at pagbibigkis.

Sa ganitong paraan, kinikilala ng “Bekët Panitikan” ang mahalagang ambag ng katutubong haraya sa pagbuo ng panitikang pambansa. Dahil ang bayan ay binubuo ng iba’t ibang pamayanan ng mambabasá’t manunulat na patuloy na yumayabong ang ugnayan. Itinatanghal din nito ang panitikan bilang mahalagang bigkis sa haraya, gunita, at intelektuwal na pag-unlad ng bayan.

Ang subtema

Mahalagang pinaglalaanan ng pokus ang pagkakaisa na itinataguyod ng panitikan. Sa pagdiriwang na ito binibigyang-pansin ang pangangailangan upang pagkaisahin ang lakas para sa katwiran at kalikasan. Ang katwiran, at ang pananaig nito sa bayan, ay noon at noon pa idinambana ng mga bayaning manunulat ng bayan para marating ang minimithing ginhawa at kalayaan. Mahalaga rin ang pagbibigkis para sa kalikasan upang maging maláy pa lalo ang mamamayan sa kanilang gampanin na pangalagaan ito. Dahil bahagi lamang sila nito at kailanma’y hindi makatataas sa kalikasan.

Bekët hindi?

Sa dulo, isang pang pamilyar na tanong ang aalingawngaw kapag binigkas ang katutubong pamana ng mga Agutaynë́n: Bakit hindi panitikan? Dahil nasa ikalawang dekada na ng implementasyon ang pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Panitikan mula nang ilabas ang Proklamasyon Blg. 968 noong 2015, patuloy ang panawagan para sa pagpapahalaga at patuloy na pagpapayaman pa ng tangkilik sa panitikan ng bansa. Dahil sa hulí, ang panitikang pambansa rin ang magpapakita ng ating malalim na ugnayan sa isa’t isa bilang kapuluan ng mga wika, bilang kapuluan ng mga tekstong patuloy na nabubuhay.

EcoWaste Coalition Urges Swift Action to Protect Children from Imitation Roblox Toys with Lead-Containing Parts

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

(Lead exposure early in life may contribute to irreversible damage to brain development, group warns)

26 March 2026, Quezon City. Amid ongoing safety reviews of Roblox and other online gaming platforms, the EcoWaste Coalition called on the government to also look into the proliferation of knock-off Roblox plastic figures in the market.

“As the authorities tighten their watch on Roblox and other online games amid child exploitation concerns, we also urge the authorities to block the entry of imitation Roblox figure toys with lead-containing parts, which may pose lead-poisoning risks,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition, noting “childhood lead exposure can irreparably damage the brain and nervous system, and is linked to aggressive and violent behavior later in life.”

“Because lead causes permanent, irreversible damage to a child’s developing brain and body, exposure prevention is the only solution. Since no amount of lead exposure is safe, we must strictly eliminate all sources, like contaminated toys, to protect children before harm occurs,” said Dr. Geminn Louis Apostol, Environmental Health and Global Health Security Flagship Program Head, Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health - Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI).

The toxics watchdog group sounded the alarm after conducting chemical screenings on imitation Roblox figures being sold in Binondo, Manila, particularly at toy stores in popular budget shopping malls.

As part of its advocacy to expose lead-containing products, inform consumers and regulators, and control, if not eliminate, the risks that such products pose, the EcoWaste Coalition bought 14 sets of Roblox figures, all made in China, which are sold for P100 to P250 per set. All in all, 60 assorted Roblox figures were collected.

Using an Olympus Vanta M Series X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, the EcoWaste Coalition screened the 60 Roblox figures for heavy metals, particularly lead, a toxic chemical associated with stunted growth, learning disabilities, lowered IQ, and behavioral problems, as well as juvenile delinquency and violent crime in later years.

While lead was not detected on the hard plastic parts, 28 out of the 60 Roblox figures analyzed had lead contamination in their PVC head accessories. These accessories, which can be easily detached, handled, or chewed by children, contain lead levels up to 1,602 parts per million (ppm), with 11 items exceeding 1,000 ppm.

US regulations, particularly the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, prohibit lead in children’s toys, limiting total lead content in accessible parts to 100 ppm and lead in paint to 90 ppm. The DENR-issued Chemical Control Order (CCO) for lead and its compounds also prohibits the use of lead in the manufacture of toys.

All samples provided small-parts choking warnings, but lacked any mention of lead hazards on the labels. The samples were all inadequately labeled, the EcoWaste Coalition observed.

While the labels identify China as the country of manufacture and provide for age grading and choking hazard alert, the other mandatory labeling requirements, as per RA 10620 or the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act, are missing such as the manufacturer’s markings, the License to Operate (LTO) number issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), instructional literature, and the item, model, stock keeping unit (SKU) number.

The EcoWaste Coalition will duly notify the FDA about its findings and reiterate the necessity of removing lead-contaminated Roblox toys from the market to protect children.