Disney fans are in for a treat as Moana 2 officially hits cinemas this November 27, 2024. Prior to this, a Philippine premiere was held on November 23 at the Imax Theater of SM Mall of Asia where celebrities gathered to see the highly-anticipated sequel.
READ: Disney announces ‘Moana 2’ to be released this November
In an interview with PUSH, content creator and former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Baninay Bautista shared her love for Moana, saying it’s one of her favorite Disney films alongside Frozen. Recalling her favorite moments from the first movie, which premiered in 2016, she said, “I think ‘yung journey niya para makapunta doon sa [island of] Te Fiti. Tapos, ‘yung nakilala niya si Maui. ‘Yung nagkukulitan, magkaaway pa sila ‘nun una, ‘yun ‘yung favorite ko.”
Highlighting her favorite lesson from the said film, Baninay said, “Hindi mo kailangan ng love team. Hindi mo kailangan ng jowa para maging Disney princess. ‘Yun ‘yung pinakagusto ko ‘dun. And sa Frozen din, kaya ko rin siya bet kasi wala rin siyang [referring to Elsa] kapartner dun last time. Si Anna lang ‘yun meron so ‘yun. Kasi ‘yung iba, parang solely naka-rely sila sa mga Prince Charming, hahalikan, ganyan. Sila strong independent [women].”
Having seen the sequel, Baninay felt emotional, saying, “Nakaka-touch. Parang gusto ko rin puntahan mga kapatid ko ngayon.”
Her partner, content creator Bont Bryan also attended the screening, and praised the experience watching Moana 2 in an Imax theater. “Ibang experience siya lalo na ‘pag parang pwede mong hawakan ‘yung screen, gano’n level,” he said.
The sequel features a new soundtrack, including the Filipino version of its theme song, "Anong Daratnan," performed by actress Belle Mariano during the end credits. Bont and Baninay said that it was their favorite song in the movie.
READ: Disney announces ‘Moana 2’ to be released this November
Other attendees included actress and former Sexbomb dancer Rochelle Pangilinan, who came with her family. She described the film as heartwarming and family-oriented. “Masarap sa pakiramdam kasi pang-pamilya pa rin siya. Siyempre may konting iyakan... Naramdaman ang courage, ang katapangan and I love it, pati ‘yung music, sobrang nagustuhan ko rin siya.
“Ang pinakagusto ko ‘yung love sa family; ‘yung connection niya sa family. Sobrang gustong gusto ko ‘yun,” she said when asked about the movie’s values she hopes to impart to her family.
Meanwhile, actress Eliza Pineda expressed her admiration for the film. As a fan of the first Moana, she said the sequel exceeded her high expectations. “I love the first Moana. Talagang sabi ko, my expectations for this movie are so big... Happily, na-exceed niya pa ‘yung expectations ko. I love the movie, no plastikan. No joke. I love the movie,” she relayed.
Without giving away spoilers, she teased her favorite part, “Basta may part ‘dun sa movie na si Moana, she reaches just like another level and grabe, sobrang nakaka-emotional ‘yung part na ‘yun.”
“I think both the first and the second movies have the same lesson na if you’re determined and you know what you have to do, you can do it kahit na mahirap, maraming obstacles, maraming challenges. You can do it,” she added.
Likewise, she praised the soundtrack, particularly the song ‘Beyond’, saying, “I love the songs. Siyempre ‘yung favorite ko is ‘Beyond’ but as usual, ang laki ng expectations ko kasi nga ang ganda ng music dun sa [first] Moana. But this movie has amazing songs, ‘yung lang masasabi ko.”