MANILA — Grammy- and Oscar-winning Filipino-American artist H.E.R. is putting the Filipino spirit of family and bayanihan in the spotlight, saying Filipinos are known for going all out for the people they love.
The singer-actress, whose real name is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, made the remarks during her appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on September 16, where she promoted the upcoming animated adventure “Forgotten Island.”
The film, produced by DreamWorks Animation, draws heavily from Filipino culture, mythology and folklore and features a predominantly Filipino or Filipino-American creative and voice cast. H.E.R. voices one of the film’s two central friends, while Liza Soberano voices the other.
H.E.R.: Filipinos “Go Hard for Their People”
During the late-night interview, host Jimmy Kimmel pointed out how Filipinos often strongly support fellow Filipinos who achieve success.
H.E.R. agreed, responding that Filipinos “go hard for their people.”
Her comments echoed a theme she and Soberano had discussed in an earlier interview: the Filipino tendency to welcome people into the family and support them even when they are not related by blood.
Soberano previously described this as part of the Filipino bayanihan spirit—the idea that people come together to help and support one another.
That same idea is central to “Forgotten Island,” which explores friendship, family and the bonds people create with one another.
Her Filipino Roots Run Deep
H.E.R. also opened up about her personal connection to the Philippines.
She recalled visiting the country as a young girl and returning in 2019 with her family so her mother, Agnes, who was born in the Philippines, could reunite with her sister after roughly a decade apart.
The family has since tried to visit the Philippines more frequently, with H.E.R.’s most recent trip coming about a month before her Jimmy Kimmel Live! appearance as part of promotional activities for “Forgotten Island.”
For H.E.R., the reunion became particularly meaningful because she felt she played a role in helping bring members of her family together again.
She described the experience as a beautiful reunion and expressed happiness that she was able to be part of it.
H.E.R. Reveals Her Favorite Filipino Dessert
The conversation also turned to Filipino food, with H.E.R. revealing that halo-halo is among her favorite local treats.
She attempted to explain the colorful dessert to Kimmel and the studio audience, while joking that she herself could be considered “halo-halo” because of her Filipino mix.
The moment offered a lighter glimpse into how H.E.R. connects her Filipino heritage with her identity and everyday experiences.
“Forgotten Island” Brings Filipino Mythology to a Global Audience
H.E.R.’s comments come as “Forgotten Island” prepares for its Philippine theatrical release.
The animated film follows two best friends who become stranded on the mysterious island of Nakali, where they encounter creatures inspired by Philippine mythology, including the aswang.
The story combines adventure with themes of friendship, family, memory and belonging—elements that H.E.R. and Soberano have connected to Filipino culture.
The film is directed by Joel Crawford and Filipino-American filmmaker Januel Mercado.
Its voice cast also includes Filipino and Filipino-American talents such as Lea Salonga, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Manny Jacinto and Amielynn Abellera, alongside H.E.R. and Soberano.
GMA News likewise highlighted the personal significance of the project for Soberano, who said she immediately connected with her character because of parallels between the character’s experiences and her own.
H.E.R. Wants to Represent Filipino Culture
The project represents another major opportunity for H.E.R. to showcase her Filipino heritage to an international audience.
In a separate interview reported by The Times of India, H.E.R. described the project in terms of her pride in being Filipino and representing her culture.
Her involvement is particularly notable because “Forgotten Island” does not simply use Filipino imagery as a backdrop. Its story, mythology and characters are rooted in elements of Philippine culture.
A New Album Is Also on the Way
While promoting the film, H.E.R. also gave fans a glimpse into her music plans.
She said she was working on her next album, which would be her first since 2021.
That means H.E.R. is entering a busy period across both acting and music, with “Forgotten Island” bringing her Filipino heritage to the forefront while she continues work on her next musical project.
“Forgotten Island” Arrives in Philippine Cinemas
“Forgotten Island” is scheduled to open in Philippine cinemas on September 23, 2026.
For H.E.R., the movie is more than another acting credit. It gives her an opportunity to celebrate the culture connected to her family while introducing Filipino mythology and values to audiences around the world.
And her message about Filipinos “going hard” for their people may resonate most because it connects directly to the film’s central themes: family, belonging, friendship and the willingness to show up for the people who matter.
