MANILA, PHILIPPINES - AUGUST 25: Lyn Pascual moderates Q&A with H.E.R. and Liza Soberano at DreamWorks Animations' FORGOTTEN ISLAND Tayo Na Tour on August 25, 2026 in Manila, Philippines. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images for DreamWorks Animation)

Liza Soberano may be making her own mark internationally, but she is quick to acknowledge the Filipino artists who paved the way for talents like her to dream of making it big on the global stage.

During a special media conference for her upcoming animated film "Forgotten Island" in Manila on Aug. 25, Liza expressed her gratitude to artists such as Lea Salonga and Dolly de Leon, whom she considers among those who helped open doors for the next generation of Filipino talent.

"I feel very honored and proud. I don't necessarily feel I'm at the center of it. When I think about where I'm at right now, I'm just so grateful to be in the likes of Ms. Dolly and Ms. Lea, all of the people that've been paving the way for the longest time, so that I could be able to have this opportunity," Liza said.

For Liza, the achievements of Lea and Dolly go beyond their individual careers. 

"All the work that they did in those times when it wasn't as easy made it easier for us to be here. I also like to honor those people who really tried to push the Filipino movement and culture forward," she added.

Meanwhile, Liza, who made her Hollywood debut in the 2024 film "Lisa Frankenstein," said she never imagined in her wildest dreams that she would get the opportunity to work alongside talents such as Grammy-winning singer and actress H.E.R., "Forgotten Island" directors Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford, and fellow Filipino artists Lea and Dolly.

"It feels like such a blessing to be part, even a small part, of that movement of bringing Filipino culture to the whole world," she said.

The actress also sees "Forgotten Island" as another opportunity to bring Filipino culture and talent to a global audience.

Directed by Mercado and Crawford, the DreamWorks Animation film follows high school graduates Jo and Raisa, best friends since grade school, who are transported to the magical island of Nakali, where they encounter creatures from Filipino mythology.

Liza voices Raisa, a "Type A" friend who likes to stay organized.

"I think finding the right balance between being a child and being mature," Liza said when asked about the challenge of playing Raisa.

"But also, just in terms of the emotional depth, too, because I've done a lot of dramatic acting here in the Philippines, and when it came to the drama of this film, I wanted to make sure that it was still rooted in light-hearted, almost childlike tampuhan and everything," she said.

Liza also found a personal connection to Raisa's family dynamic, particularly her relationship with her grandmother.

"The aspect of having Lola raise Jo and Liza is one of the things that instantly drew me to the project. I'm also a Lola and a Lola's girl. I grew up with my grandparents—they raised me. So I felt that family dynamic was very accurate. But almost every single scene has some sort of Easter egg," she shared.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - AUGUST 25: Joel Crawford, Januel P. Mercado, H.E.R. and Liza Soberano attends Q&A with audience at DreamWorks Animations' FORGOTTEN ISLAND Tayo Na Tour on August 25, 2026 in Manila, Philippines. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images for DreamWorks Animation)