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After years of earning acclaim for her powerful performances on screen and stage, Dolly de Leon is embracing a different kind of acting challenge by bringing a character to life using only her voice.

The internationally acclaimed actress is part of DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island, an animated adventure inspired by Philippine mythology.

For Dolly, accepting the project was never a difficult decision. In fact, she didn't even ask to read the script first—something she usually does before committing to any role.

“Noong nalaman ko na the role was being offered to me, I didn't even ask to read the script. Kasi personally, when I'm offered a job, the first thing I ask is to read the script.

“Pero dito, hindi importante kung ano ang role ko, kung ano ang kuwento, basta it's about us Filipinos, it's DreamWorks, I'm in. Sobra akong excited noong nalaman ko na they were interested in getting me.”

Although she is no stranger to acting, Dolly admitted that voice acting offered a completely different experience from performing in front of the camera.

“Ang laking difference! Kasi kapag voice acting, hindi ka na mag-aayos, hindi ka na magme-makeup, hindi ka na magme-memorize ng lines dahil nasa harap mo na yung script. So, in a way it's kind of easier. Pero may sarili rin siyang challenge.”

Fortunately, she was able to draw from her previous experience as a dubber, allowing her to approach the role with confidence while enjoying the creative process.

“I guess, noong ginawa ko ito, may experience na ako sa dubbing. Dubber din kasi ako dati, so medyo ano siya… pinaglaruan lang namin. Enjoy lang talaga ako.”

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Dolly also said that Forgotten Island is more than just another career milestone—it is an opportunity to help bring Filipino stories to a global audience.

The actress expressed pride over the growing international recognition of Filipino culture, saying the film represents an important step toward greater visibility for Filipinos and their stories.

“Ang sarap ng feeling na yung istorya natin, na tayong mga Pilipino, naa-appreciate tayo ngayon sa buong mundo. Kasi, I've always said this na we are a minority within a minority group. Kumbaga, may minority group and tayo na yung pinaka-minority sa grupo na yun.

“Pero ngayon, that's changing because of Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford. That's changing now because nakikita na nila tayo because our stories are worth telling. We are very interesting people. We're funny, we're talented, and we have so many stories to tell.

“Kaya nga nakaka-proud to be a part of this animated film. I can't wait for everyone to watch it.”

Joining De Leon in the film are fellow Filipino and Filipino-American talents Liza Soberano, H.E.R., Lea Salonga, Manny Jacinto, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, and Amielynn Abellera, making Forgotten Island a celebration of Filipino representation on the global stage.

Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island opens in theaters on September 25.