Directors Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford on the Filipino Roots of ‘Forgotten Island’

March 30, 2026 Mike Manalo

What a week it has been for Filipino representation! Last Wednesday, we got our first glimpse of Dreamworks Animation’s Forgotten Island. On Friday, we unveiled our intimate interview with superstars H.E.R and Liza Soberano. And today, we’re continuing the streak with our conversation with the directors of Forgotten Island and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford!

Animation, Interview, Movies

Feeling the Filipino Pride with H.E.R and Liza Soberano from ‘Forgotten Island’

March 27, 2026 Mike Manalo

This week, Dreamworks Animation and Universal dropped a historic trailer for Filipino film fans everywhere. They revealed the first official look at their latest feature, Forgotten Island; Hollywood’s first Filipino-centric animated feature.

Animation, Movies2 Comments

How Dreamworks’ ‘Forgotten Island’ Fosters Filipino Culture and Folklore

March 25, 2026March 25, 2026 Mike Manalo

I am a proud Filipino American nerd. As such, I grew up here in the US searching for, but never quite finding, mainstream Hollywood movies that propelled the voice of the Filipino community strongly.

Fantasy, Interview, Movies

Director Dean DeBlois and The Riders of Berk Discuss ‘How to Train Your Dragon’

June 12, 2025 Mike Manalo

We are soaring ever so close to the debut of How To Train Your Dragon! We have been fortunate all week to bring you interviews with stars Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, and Nick Frost. However, we’re not done yet! We’re proud to present to everyone our interviews with franchise mastermind, Dean DeBlois, and the Riders of Berk themselves, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Gabriel Howell, and Julian Dennison!

Fantasy, Interview, Movies

Berk’s Best Buds Gerard Butler and Nick Frost on ‘How to Train Your Dragon’

June 11, 2025 Mike Manalo

Being the Chieftain of Berk is a tough job. While other islands have pests like rats or mice, they have dragons. Which is why if you’re going to rule this sturdy Viking isle, you’re going to need the best right-hand man available (so to speak and pun intended). Enter How To Train Your Dragon stars, Gerard Butler’s Stoic the Vast and his most trusted friend, Nick Frost’s Gobber!

Fantasy, Interview, Movies1 Comment

Flying High with ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ Stars Mason Thames and Nico Parker

June 9, 2025 Mike Manalo

Remaking a classic can be incredibly risky. However, when you’re Vikings, that’s just an occupational hazard! One that the cast and filmmakers of How to Train Your Dragon absolutely nailed, in one of this summer’s best blockbusters! All this week, we’ll be bringing you the most incredible interviews from all of them, starting with Hiccup and Astrid themselves, stars Mason Thames and Nico Parker!

Animation, Movies

Dreamworks Unveils Filipino Animated Film ‘Forgotten Island’ for September 2026

April 16, 2025April 16, 2025 Mike Manalo

Okay, this one is close to the heart for me. To date, there hasn’t been a single (long-form) animated film centered around Filipino mythology from any of the major Hollywood animation studios. However, as of today, Dreamworks Animation has finally announced, we have one coming!

Fantasy, Interview, Movies

Taking Flight at the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Trailer Event with Dean DeBlois

February 12, 2025February 12, 2025 Mike Manalo

How timeless is How to Train Your Dragon? The first film debuted almost 15 years ago, and the themes of prejudice and misjudgment could not be more relevant today than ever.

Animation, Movies

Filming Wraps on Dreamworks’ Live-Action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’

May 16, 2024May 17, 2024 Mike Manalo

It’s time to once again take flight to The Isle of Berk! As Dreamworks and Universal bring the magic of the classic How to Train Your Dragon trilogy to life in stunning live action next year!