BINI and Lea Salonga are joining forces for a new version of “A Parallel World,” with the song set to be released as part of the official soundtrack for DreamWorks Animation’s first Filipino film, Forgotten Island.
The full track list for the animated film was recently unveiled, revealing that BINI’s “A Parallel World” will appear in two versions on the soundtrack. The original track, which the Nation's Girl Group released last July, will be followed by “A Parallel World (Amping Mix),” featuring Lea Salonga.
READ: BINI on how their 'sisterhood' brought 'A Parallel World’ to life: 'It was relatable to us'
Set in the 1990s, Forgotten Island follows best friends Jo and Raissa, voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, whose plans after high school threaten to pull them in different directions. Their ordinary night of karaoke and food takes a magical turn when they discover a mysterious portal leading to Nakali, an enchanted island filled with magical and mythological creatures.
The film’s soundtrack mirrors its nostalgic setting, drawing from the sounds of the 1980s and 1990s while incorporating elements of Filipino and Filipino-American music.
Composer Nathan Matthew David created the film’s score with strong influences from the era, including analog synthesizers, ’80s pop, and hip-hop. “There are elements of ’80s pop and hip-hop. But when the girls stumble into the mystical portal and end up on the island of Nakali, the story evolves, and so does the sound,” Nathan told Variety.
He also incorporated indigenous Filipino sounds into the score, using traditional instruments including the chanters and the Las Piñas bamboo pipe organ, alongside a Filipino choir singing Tagalog phrases.
READ: AJ Rafael sings 'A Parallel World' with BINI at Comic-Con in San Diego
Nathan and co-composer Shawn Wasabi also shared the exciting news of BINI and Lea's song on Instagram, which was later reposted by the Broadway icon herself.
Apart from "A Parallel World (Amping Mix)”, Lea is also prominently featured throughout the soundtrack, lending her vocals to “Ninakaw Sa Akin,” “Magnanakaw,” “Balik,” “Bahagi Mo,” and the “Ang Manananggal Suite.”
The Broadway icon voices the film’s dreaded manananggal, with Nathan using the talking gong or gandingan, a traditional instrument from the southern Philippines, in creating the creature’s musical identity.
Directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado revealed that Lea immediately expressed interest after their team sent her a pitch for the role.
“We heard from her team right away,” Joel recalled.
READ: BTS V likes Lea Salonga's Instagram reel
Although Lea agreed to play the character, the filmmakers initially worried that the role might not offer enough material for an actress of her caliber. Januel said Lea understood that the manananggal did not need many lines to make an impact.
“She was already on the same page as us, understanding that the Manananggal didn’t need to speak a lot to be scary,” Januel said. “She elevated the material,” he added.
Lea also developed a distinct voice for the character after listening to H.E.R. and Liza’s performances.
“She said, ‘I’ll change my voice so that it complements theirs. If they’re a little higher, then I’ll make the Manananggal deeper and speak from the gut,’” Januel shared.
Aside from BINI and Lea, the soundtrack features an impressive lineup of Filipino and Filipino-American artists.
H.E.R. and Liza perform the film’s title track “BRB,” while KATSEYE’s Sophia Laforteza appears on a remixed version of INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart.”
P-pop group SB19 also takes on Francis Magalona’s iconic “Mga Kababayan,” while Ruby Ibarra collaborates with Carl Angelo on “Salbahe Ako.”
The soundtrack further celebrates Filipino culture through titles inspired by local mythology, including “Kapre,” “Sarimanok,” and and “Batiba".
READ: BINI’s Sarimanok-inspired ‘Summer Sonic’ outfits win praise for showcasing Filipino culture
Check out the full list of the Forgotten Island soundtrack below:
- “BRB” – H.E.R. & Liza Soberano
- “Pasakalye”
- “Tayo Na”
- “A Parallel World” – BINI
- “Lola”
- “Tadhana”
- “Never Tear Us Apart (Performed by Sophia of KATSEYE)” – Sophia Laforteza
- “Nakalimutan”
- “Susmaryosep! Hay Naku! Maanghang!”
- “Salbahe Ako” – Carl Angelo & Ruby Ibarra
- “Ninakaw Sa Akin” – Nathan Matthew David feat. Lea Salonga
- “Batiba”
- “Sarimanok”
- “Mga Kababayan” – SB19
- “Bungi”
- “King Truffle Wuffle”
- “Prince Mermahn” – Nathan Matthew David feat. Nico Santos
- “Jerk in the Box” – H.E.R. & Liza Soberano
- “Double Up” – Guapdad 4000 feat. P-Lo
- “Kapre”
- “If We Remember”
- “Magnanakaw” – Nathan Matthew David feat. Lea Salonga
- “Hulihin”
- “It Was You”
- “Balik” – Nathan Matthew David feat. Lea Salonga
- “All of Them”
- “One Last Deal”
- “Forgotten Friendship”
- “I’m So Sorry, Apo”
- “Without You”
- “Memories Are Magic”
- “Bahagi Mo” – Nathan Matthew David feat. Lea Salonga
- “Paalam, Nakali”
- “Jo and Raissa Suite”
- “Ang Manananggal Suite” – Nathan Matthew David feat. Lea Salonga
- “Batiba Suite”
- “A Parallel World (Amping Mix)” – BINI feat. Lea Salonga
Fans can now pre-order the soundtrack on vinyl, CD, and cassette through this website.
The Forgotten Island soundtrack will be released on digital streaming platforms on September 18, days before the film opens in Philippine cinemas on September 23.