Forgotten Island follows Jo and Raissa on an adventure that becomes a story about friendship, growing up, and the memories that stay with us long after childhood ends. Set in the ’90s, the film is filled with details that feel instantly familiar to Filipino audiences, from karaoke and classrooms to the little anik-aniks and abubots that somehow became treasures when we were kids.

The film does nostalgia really well, especially in the way it captures the little things that made growing up Filipino in the ’90s feel so distinct.

What I loved most is how it captures the imagination of Filipino kids. Those random things we collected or simply kept around could mean so much to us, even when they had no real value. As children, we had this ability to turn almost anything into something special, and Forgotten Island brings that magic back.

And it never feels cringey or like Filipino baiting. Instead, it presents Filipino culture in a way that makes you genuinely appreciate it. We’re so used to watching movies like Encanto or Coco and seeing other cultures represented so beautifully that sometimes we end up thinking, sana ganito rin yung culture natin.

But Forgotten Island doesn’t really give you the chance to compare because you get to relate. You recognize yourself in the jokes, the memories, the ridiculous moments, and even the little things you never realized were uniquely Filipino until you saw them on screen. Somehow, seeing all of that reflected back makes you appreciate your own culture a little more.

The cast adds to that feeling too. H.E.R. and Liza Soberano bring fun energy to Jo and Raissa, making their friendship feel natural and easy to root for. Dave Franco brings a lot of humor and personality to Raww, while Dolly de Leon gives Lola Fatima that familiar warmth that instantly reminds you of your own lola. More than just a star-studded cast, having these voices behind the characters made me feel like the Filipino side of the film was in good hands.

Personally, Forgotten Island feels special to me because I felt seen watching it. There were so many moments that made me laugh because they felt so specifically Filipino, but more than that, I left the theater reminded to appreciate my own culture, my own memories, and the little things that make them meaningful.

It’s funny, nostalgic, heartfelt, and unapologetically Filipino without ever trying too hard to be any of those things. And I think that’s what makes Forgotten Island so special.