MANILA — More than two decades after Francis Magalona introduced generations of Filipinos to the message of “Mga Kababayan,” the iconic song has found a new musical voice through SB19—this time as part of DreamWorks Animation’s Filipino-inspired feature film Forgotten Island.
The connection was highlighted by Maxene Magalona, daughter of the late Francis M., after watching the film ahead of its Philippine theatrical release.
Maxene expressed her pride in SB19’s rendition of her father’s song, saying she was especially moved when she heard it during one of the film’s scenes. She also described the film as a meaningful representation of Filipino culture on the global stage.
> “Mga Kababayan” is not an upcoming SB19 album single. It is part of the official 37-track Forgotten Island (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
The soundtrack was released on September 18, 2026, ahead of the film’s Philippine cinema release on September 23. The official Back Lot Music listing places “Mga Kababayan” at Track 14 and credits it to Francis Magalona and Jimmy Antiporda, with SB19 as the performers and RADKIDZ as producer.
FROM FRANCIS M. TO SB19
For SB19, recording “Mga Kababayan” meant taking a song strongly associated with an earlier generation of Filipino music and bringing it into a contemporary P-pop setting.
The group had already given audiences a glimpse of the recording during its historic Lollapalooza performance in Chicago in July 2026, where SB19 performed a sneak preview of “Mga Kababayan.” GMA News reported that the song was recorded specifically for the Forgotten Island soundtrack.
That performance gave fans an early look at what would later become the officially released soundtrack recording.
PART OF A MUCH BIGGER FILIPINO MUSICAL PROJECT
“Mga Kababayan” is only one piece of Forgotten Island’s extensive musical project.
The 37-track soundtrack brings together Filipino and Filipino-American artists including BINI, SB19, Lea Salonga, Ruby Ibarra, Carl Angelo, Sophia Laforteza of KATSEYE, H.E.R., Liza Soberano and others.
BINI contributes the original song “A Parallel World,” while Sophia Laforteza performs “Never Tear Us Apart.” Lea Salonga appears on several songs and score pieces, while H.E.R. and Liza Soberano perform original material connected to the film.
The soundtrack therefore functions as more than a conventional movie album. Its songs and score incorporate Filipino cultural references, mythology and musical elements, including instruments such as kulintang, gandingan, agung and bamboo pipe organ.
A CLASSIC SONG ENTERS A NEW WORLD
Forgotten Island follows childhood friends Jo and Raissa, who are transported to the mysterious island of Nakali, a fantastical world populated by creatures and elements drawn from Filipino stories and mythology.
That makes the inclusion of “Mga Kababayan” particularly significant from a cultural perspective.
Francis M.’s song, originally created during his career as one of Philippine hip-hop’s pioneering voices, is now being heard within an international animated production whose story itself draws heavily from Filipino culture.
And for Maxene, the experience is personal.
She said she was “jumping in my seat” when she heard her father’s song during one of the film’s scenes and expressed pride that one of his classic hits has become part of a global production.
NOT AN SB19 ALBUM—BUT AN OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK RECORDING
For clarity, “Mga Kababayan” should not be described as a forthcoming SB19 album release.
The current official listings identify it specifically as:
“Mga Kababayan” — SB19
Forgotten Island (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Written by: Francis Magalona, Jimmy Antiporda
Produced by: RADKIDZ
Released: September 18, 2026
Apple Music likewise lists “Mga Kababayan” under the Forgotten Island soundtrack rather than under an SB19 studio album.
So the story is ultimately about a classic Francis M. composition being passed from one generation of Filipino music to another—with SB19 providing the contemporary interpretation and Forgotten Island giving the song an international cinematic platform.
From Francis M. to SB19. From an iconic Filipino song to a new generation—and now, to a global animated film.
