DreamWorks Animation’s “Forgotten Island,” which features Filipino stars Liza Soberano and H.E.R., saw a sharp rise in Google search interest in the Philippines during its premiere week, as the film also drew attention to the Filipino folklore that inspired parts of its story.
Google Trends data for the past week showed search interest for “Forgotten Island” reaching a score of 100 on Sept. 23, representing the term’s peak popularity during the period. Search interest also climbed above 90 at several other points.
A Google Trends score of 100 represents peak search interest for a term relative to its highest point within the selected location and time period. It does not mean that the term dominated all other Google searches by volume, as claimed in promotional material for the film.
The movie incorporates elements drawn from Philippine mythology and folklore, including creatures such as the manananggal, tiyanak, kapre and batibat.
Google said interest surrounding the film could also lead viewers to search for information about the mythology, traditions and cultural concepts depicted or referenced in the movie.
“Whether you’re a lifelong lore enthusiast or a movie fan curious about what inspired the story, here are four simple ways to use Google Search to explore authentic Pinoy mythology,” Google said.
The company suggested searching for specific creatures together with terms such as “Filipino mythology” or “regional folklore.” It also recommended using quotation marks for exact phrases when looking for information about particular myths or traditions.
Google said users could also search for broader cultural topics, including Philippine animist traditions and spirit offerings, or use image and video searches to find documentaries, accounts from local storytellers and illustrations by Filipino artists.
“Forgotten Island” draws on Filipino cultural references as part of its fantasy setting, putting elements of Philippine folklore before an international movie audience.
The search spike provides an indication of heightened online interest surrounding the film’s release in the Philippines, although Google Trends data measures relative search interest rather than ticket sales, audience size or the commercial performance of the movie.
