Nathan Matthew David’s score for the upcoming film Forgotten Island is not simply background music for an animated adventure. For the Filipino-American composer, the project became an opportunity to connect with his heritage and bring the sounds, instruments and musical traditions of the Philippines to a global audience.
Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, Forgotten Island follows best friends Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, who find themselves transported to the magical island of Nakali. As they encounter creatures and stories rooted in Filipino mythology, the two friends begin to lose their memories of each other.
That cultural foundation also extends to the film’s music. David, who composed the score, drew on Filipino and Filipino-American musical influences while incorporating traditional Filipino instruments and sounds.
He said, “I told Joel and Januel at one point that I wanted this score to encompass everything I would want in a film score. I felt the immense weight of trying to live up to the responsibility of creating music for a film that showcases my culture on the big screen and on a global scale in a way that has not been done before.”
He continued, “I hope this music can honour our ancestors and Indigenous practitioners who have kept our roots alive, and I hope it can also be a simple musical love letter from me to my culture.”
The soundtrack brings together an impressive roster of Filipino and Filipino-American artists, including Lea Salonga, BINI, SB19, Ruby Ibarra and others. Universal Pictures India is set to bring a new emotional story about friendship to audiences across the country with Forgotten Island, releasing in cinemas on September 25, 2026.
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