Belle Mariano tapped to sing Pinoy version of ‘Moana 2’ theme song

FOR the past few days, several Filipino fans have been wondering if actress Belle Mariano would participate in the forthcoming Philippine release of Disney’s “Moana 2.” 

This is after Disney Studios Philippines dropped a hint on the artist behind “Anong Daratnan,” the Filipino version of the movie’s end credit single titled “Beyond.” It showed the behind-the-scenes clip of the singer, without showing her face entirely, recording “Anong Daratnan” in a studio.  

Some social media users quickly pointed out that it was Mariano, and they guessed it right. 

The Gen Z star said she felt honored to collaborate with Disney for the sequel of its hit animated musical fantasy film “Moana” in 2016, making history as the singer who performed the first-ever Filipino song to be played in a Walt Disney Animation Studios Film.

“Sobrang grateful ko kasi dream ko maka-work ang Disney. Moana is one of my favorite Disney characters, and I’m really emulating her fearlessness in my rendition of this song,” the 22-year-old actress said in a press statement.

Originally written by Grammy award-winning songwriters Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, “Beyond” expresses Moana’s “fearless sense of adventure and connecting her island beyond its shores.”

Rachel Fong, The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia’s Studio General Manager and Integrated Marketing Director, hopes Filipino fans will “resonate deeply” with the song’s lyrics and experience the titular character’s excitement for her new journey to the far seas of Oceania.

While the English version of the song is now available on all streaming platforms, Mariano’s “Anong Daratnan” will be released on November 22, along with a music video.

About ‘Moana 2’

In the forthcoming musical adventure film, Moana, the daughter of a village chief, will navigate the far seas of Oceania with shapeshifting demigod Maui to break the curse on an ancient island by setting foot on its sands. But their journey will not be smooth sailing as they encounter old and new enemies: Kakamora, or the coconut pirates, and the mysterious character Matangi.

Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson remain to be the voices of Moana and Maui, respectively. “Moana 2” will also feature the voices of Awhimai Fraser and Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda for the characters of Matangi and Moana’s younger sister Simea.

In an Instagram post, Fraser said she felt honored and surreal to join the cast of “Moana 2.”

Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller,  “Moana 2” will sail into Philippine theaters on November 27.