Forgotten Island has finally arrived in cinemas, bringing Filipino folklore, fantastical creatures, and a magical adventure to the big screen. Even more exciting is the Filipino talent behind and in front of the film. Liza Soberano and H.E.R. star as the protagonists, alongside Filipino actors Manny Jacinto, Dolly De Leon, Jo Koy, and Lea Salonga, who lend their voices to the project.
Photo: Fully Booked
At the helm are directors Januel Mercado, who is Filipino, and Joel Crawford, whose wife is Filipino. Mercado and Crawford previously worked as story artists on the popular animated films The Croods: A New Age and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. With Forgotten Island, they take on full co-directing duties for the first time to bring a distinctly Filipino story to life—and we are ecstatic.
Set during the 1990s in the Philippines, Forgotten Island follows childhood best friends Raissa (voiced by Liza Soberano) and Jo (voiced by H.E.R.), who become trapped in the mystical world of Nakali, a place filled with the magical and mythological creatures they grew up hearing stories about. They soon discover that the island feeds on the memories of those within—and they must find a way out before they forget each other forever.
If Forgotten Island has you craving more Filipino folklore, fantastical creatures, and stories steeped in local mythology, here are eight books to add to your reading list:
1. Ilustra Daybreaker Book 01 by Tori Tadiar
Genre: Graphic novel / middle grade
Photo: Fully Booked/Instagram
If you love a fun adventure and enjoy graphic novels, Ilustra by Tori Tadiar is a must-read. It tells the story of Mika, a junior high misfit who grew up believing in legendary beings thanks to her Lola. Years after her Lola passes away, Mika is visited by a talking moth that gives her a burst of power and binds her to two classmates. Together, they set off on a quest across the Philippine islands to unlock hidden myths, navigate their clashing personalities, and race against time to save the world from a sun-devouring beast—all before detention ends.
2. Song of the Mango and Other New Myths by Vida Cruz Borja
Genre: Short fiction / literary
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For lovers of short fiction, Vida Cruz Borja’s 15 stories serve up characters and elements from Filipino myths in contemporary settings. Two writers write their ideal lovers into existence using ink from a mangkukulam. A kapre and a farm girl play out a tale as old as time in Spanish colonial Philippines. And if Maria Makiling opens a pop-up café, will you order human heartbreak off the menu? In each richly imagined tale, ordinary humans and magical creatures strive for a just and equitable world.
3. The Bathala Games by E. Manawari
Genre: Young adult / fantasy
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Manawari’s young adult fantasy novel follows Michelle Macabebe, a teenager desperate to escape her quiet island life on Luna Asul. When a talking cat selects her for The Bathala Games, she is thrust into a deadly competition run by bickering deities, not-so-gentle giants, and overworked gods. As Chi navigates the world of Neithers and competes against four rivals, her real-life problems pile up—from her strict mother to a one-sided crush and a secret that broke her heart. Read this book if you want to learn more about Filipino folklore while exploring coming-of-age themes like self-discovery, teenage angst, and belonging.
4. The Amazing Beasts of Philippine Mythology by Ilustrador ng Kabataan
Genre: Children’s literature / compendium
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Visit the vast realm of Philippine mythology with this fun, tongue-in-cheek compendium brought to life by INK (Ilustrador ng Kabataan). Each artist brings a unique creative take on the creatures within, and with 56 beasts featured, this is one hefty, richly illustrated book to savor. Meet the mandurugos, busos, tiktiks, batibats, and many more creatures you may not have heard of yet. Be forewarned, though: these beasts live among us. Should you encounter one, don’t forget to say, “Tabi-tabi po.”
5. Mga Nilalang na Kagila-gilalas by Edgar Calabia Samar
Genre: Compendium
Photo: Fully Booked/Instagram
Here’s another compendium to say “Tabi-tabi po” to Mga Nilalang na Kagila-gilalas is a beautifully illustrated encyclopedia, with every page dedicated to a mystical being—from the fierce aswang to the wily mambabarang. Collected and written by award-winning author Edgar Calabia Samar (who penned the Janus Silang series), this is far from a drab encyclopedia. Each entry comes to life with captivating illustrations by some of the country’s esteemed artists, including Leo Kempis Ang and Sergio Bumatay III. This gem of a book deserves a spot on any bookworm’s shelf.
6. The Boy, the Mountain, and the Serpent Who Ate the Moon by Caris Avendano Cruz
Genre: Young adult / fiction
Photo: Fully Booked/Instagram
During a town fiesta in Sto. Niño, three kids—headstrong Bayani, stubborn Isay, and anxious Aaron—wander off. They cross a bridge that suddenly grows legs and carries them to the “Land Beyond,” a mysterious place where nights are endless. Armed with only flickering candles, they venture deeper into the night and encounter kapres, manananggals, and other creatures. They also meet “Losts”—kids who have disappeared from Sto. Niño over the years. Can they find their way home before becoming permanent residents? Cruz seamlessly weaves Filipino folklore into this atmospheric, charming adventure, balancing darker elements with humor and themes of friendship.
7. Nest of Tongues by Randy Ribay
Genre: Young adult / fiction
Photo: Fully Booked/Instagram
Young adult author Randy Ribay’s newest story centers on manananggal siblings Lily and Caleb. By day, they are ordinary students at an American school; by night, they shed their human forms and fly through the California skies. Their family is part of a hidden group of Filipinos known as the Tawong Lipod (or Ta’Li). Their common enemy is the Bayani—a once-in-a-generation hero blessed by the gods to exterminate the Ta’Li. Ribay turns traditional folklore on its head by recasting the manananggal as sympathetic protagonists navigating identity, belonging, and survival.
8. Squalo and Mage: The Rage of the Bakunawa by Kara Bodegon-Hikino
Genre: Middle grade / graphic novel
Photo: Fully Booked/Instagram
Squalo and Mage is a whimsical graphic novel series about Mage, a young sorceress, and Squalo, her talking stuffed companion, who set off on an epic, RPG-inspired quest across Mundo. After Mage’s father is killed by a tikbalang, his dying wish is for her to find Bakunawa, the guardian of the sea. The journey won’t be easy: Ventrolio, an evil nightmare-maker, is hunting Mage, while monsters await at every turn. Along the way, the pair must complete side quests, slay monsters, obtain weapons, and collect points to save Mundo from plunging into chaos.
Loved this list? Discover more books featuring Philippine folklore and mythology at Fully Booked Online.
ALSO READ: The “Forgotten Island” Soundtrack Is a Star-studded Masterpiece—Here’s Why We’re All Hooked
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