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This July, audiences will have the chance to return to the world of Moana with the live-action remake of the 2016 original releasing in cinemas. And for Filipino fans, adding a local touch to this reimagined version of the modern Disney animated classic will be a Tagalog version of the movie’s seminal track, How Far I’ll Go, sung by Gen Z actress, singer, and rising star Kai Montinola.
RELATED: MEGA Women to Watch: Kai Montinola
Kai Montinola Joins the World of Moana
Recently, Disney announced that Montinola is voicing a Filipino rendition of How Far I’ll Go for the Philippine release of the live-action adaptation of Moana. Titled Hangganan Ko, the localized version of the film’s memorable anthem was released on July 3 along with an official music video. How Far I’ll Go isn’t just one of the movie’s best songs but also a pivotal track that encapsulates Moana’s fearless spirit of adventure and determination as she sets out on her journey. So, having Montinola sing the Tagalog version makes sense when you consider that she’s also another young woman who is bravely committed to her dreams.
“My favorite part of Moana’s journey is that she didn’t think she was perfect, she doubted at first, but she chose that fear. She chose to seize that fear, and there she was destined to do greater things,” Montinola shared in a statement, adding that being part of this special project is a dream come true.
With the achievement, Montinola continues the line of young Filipinas who have been tapped to voice covers for the Moana franchise. In 2016, Janella Salvador famously sang an official cover of How Far I’ll Go for the original animated film, while Belle Mariano was the voice behind Anong Daratnan, the Filipino version of Moana 2’s end-credit single Beyond. She also joins a select list of Filipino artists who have had the honor of singing in Disney movies.
There is, of course, Lea Salonga as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and of Mulan in Mulan. In more recent years, we’ve had, among other examples, Darren Espanto and Morissette for the live-action adaptation of Aladdin, Inigo Pascual for Coco, KZ Tandingan for Raya and the Last Dragon (which made history as the first local artist to sing an original song in Filipino for a Disney film), and, for the OGs out there, Nikki Gil for High School Musical.
Also, Montinola isn’t the only Filipino having a hand in the live-action adaptation of Moana, as Bretman Rock, who campaigned for the role of the chicken Hei-Hei in the remake given his status as a certified mother hen to so many of his pet chickens, got to interview the movie’s lead stars Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Lagaʻaia in Hawaii.
Since she finished her run on Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 as a finalist, Kai Montinola has been on a steady climb in both acting and music. Now, this early into her career, the Gen Z artist can say she’s worked on a Disney movie singing an iconic track. Beyond showbiz, Montinola is also celebrating after she graduated from senior high school last April, completing the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) strand at St. Paul Learning Center in Cebu City. You could say that Montinola is living the Disney Princess life herself.
Moana opens in Philippine cinemas on July 8.
Featured Image: MEGA Archives, Photographed by CENON AT MAV, Creative Direction by PATRICK TY, Art Direction by CLARE MAGNO, assisted by TROY NONATO, Fashion Direction and Styling by ROKO ARCEO, Beauty Direction by AGOO AZCUNA-BENGZON and MARA GO, Produced by THESSMAR LECTURA, Sittings Editor PEEWEE REYES-ISIDRO, Makeup by MICKEY SEE, Hair by BRENT SALES. Nails by CATHERINE BALINGASA, GENEVIEV PIOQUINTO, JENNIFER PASCUAL, and OGIE RODRIGUEZ of TRIPLE LUCK NAIL SALON, Production Design TIPPING POINT, Fashion Assistant KRISSIE TERUEL, Producer for CaM LOUGIE DELA CRUZ, Lighting Assistants MIGHT MERCADO, RUEL CONSTANTINO, GABRIEL JEFFERSON OLMILLO, SAMUEL PILLON, and ANTONIO BAYLON, Written by LAURD SALEN. Shot on location at RED APPLE STUDIO.
Photos: Courtesy of Disney
Frequently Asked Questions
Kai Montinola performs “Hangganan Ko,” the Tagalog-language version of “How Far I’ll Go,” for the Philippine release of Disney’s live-action Moana remake. The track and its official music video were released on July 3, ahead of the film’s July 8 Philippine cinema opening.
Kai Montinola gained recognition as a finalist on Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 before building a career in acting and music. She completed the STEM strand at St. Paul Learning Center in Cebu City in April, continuing her education alongside her entertainment career.
Janella Salvador sang the Tagalog cover of “How Far I’ll Go” for the original 2016 animated film, while Belle Mariano voiced “Anong Daratnan,” the Filipino version of Moana 2’s end-credit single “Beyond.” Kai Montinola continues this lineage with her rendition for the live-action remake.
Lea Salonga voiced Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Mulan in Mulan. More recently, Darren Espanto and Morissette performed for the live-action Aladdin, Inigo Pascual contributed to Coco, and KZ Tandingan became the first local artist to sing an original Filipino-language song for a Disney film in Raya and the Last Dragon.
No — Bretman Rock, known for his chicken-keeping online persona, campaigned for the role of Hei-Hei and interviewed lead stars Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga’aia in Hawaii as part of the film’s promotional rollout, alongside Montinola’s involvement in the Tagalog soundtrack.
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