Not exactly a Filipino Disney Princess, Raya of Kumandra
Recently, Disney’s new Princess Raya made rounds she is a Filipina princess. The assumption was that Raya, her sword, the Maguindanao Kris, and Salakot, are culturally Pinoy, but not exactly. Raya could well be an Indonesian or Vietnamese princess.
What is true is that Princess Raya and the Last Dragon is situated in South Asia. This includes the Philippines and six other countries, claimants of “the Ramayana,” her namesake.
Princess Raya could well be an Indonesian or Vietnamese princess.
The epic story of Princess Rama began in India and spread among many countries throughout Asia
- Cambodia – Reamker
- Java, Indonesia – Ramayana Jawa
- Laos – Phra Lak Phra Ram
- Malaysia – Hikayat Seri Rama
- Myanmar (Burma) – Yama Zatdaw (Yamayana)
- Mindanao, Philippines – Darangen, Singkil
- Thailand – Ramakien
Disney’s new Asian princess is “all of South East Asia,” not just a princess from Mindanao
Princess Rama was written by Vietnamese playwright Qui Nguyen and Malaysian-born Adele Lim. Raya was dubbed by American-born Kelly Marie Tran of Vietnamese descent.
Ironically, the rest of the main characters are of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Korean heritage, none from South East Asia where Ramayana is part of its heritage.
Filipinos are not part of the main production. However, 8 out of 42 additional voices were dubbed by Filipino-Americans.
Reggie De Leon
Liza Del Mundo
Vincent Rodriguez III
JB Tadena
Jennie Kwan
Deuce Basco
Ben Hisoler
Isabella Abiera
Disney’s new Asian princess is “all of South East Asia.”
In a way, Filipinos were bamboozled into thinking Raya was a Filipino Disney Princess after “From our Family to Yours” Christmas video
Philippine history major Jason from the Philippines told Filam Tribune that he’d hope more “east Asians” were on the main cast. It felt like Disney bamboozled him into thinking Princess Raya is Filipino.
Last year, Disney UK released a Christmas ad that featured “parol” and the “mano po,” which are uniquely Pinoy. Jason thought they were feelers for the upcoming animation, but none of these elements were in the film.
FILIPINO BOY BAND SB19 TOPS BILLBOARD SOCIAL.
Disney’s first: KZ Tandigan, proudly Pinoy!
Pinoys can be proud to have Filipina singer KZ Tandingan sings Disney’s first-ever Filipino-language song. “Gabay” is the Filipino version of “Lead the Way,” which’s part of the film’s soundtrack. Jhené Aiko sang the main soundtrack.
KZ Tandingan sings Disney’s first-ever Filipino-language song.
Watch Princess Raya and the Last Dragon for FREE on Disney+
Raya and the Last Dragon was released in the United States on March 5, 2021, and will become free to subscribers on June 4. The film received positive reviews from critics.
