Lance Joseph Martinez

Kai Montinola Says Performing “Hangganan Ko” for Moana Fulfills a Lifelong Dream

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<p>We all grew up with childhood dreams. Some imagined becoming doctors, engineers, or actors, while many secretly wished to live out a <strong>Disney</strong> fairy tale as a prince or princess. Singer-actress<strong> Kai Montinola</strong> shared that she was no different—but her dream went beyond the fairytale.</p><p>As a child, Kai dreamed of lending her voice to the iconic songs that defined generations of <strong></strong>Disney<strong></strong> princesses.</p><p>This year, that childhood wish finally became a reality after she was chosen to perform<strong> “Hangganan Ko,”</strong> the Filipino version of the beloved Disney anthem <strong>“How Far I’ll Go,”</strong> for the Philippine release of Disney’s live-action adaptation of <strong><em>Moana</em></strong>, which premieres in the country on July 8.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783152145402[image] - 4531019.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Kai Montinola for &quot;Hangganan Ko,&quot; Filipino version of &quot;How Far I&#x27;ll go&quot; | Photo courtesy of Disney</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>“It might sound crazy but when I was younger, I would daydream about working with Disney. So, I have already pretended to have worked with them at a young age,” Kai told <strong>METRO</strong>.</p><p>Fans were quick to resurface an old video of the singer performing “How Far I’ll Go” during a school event, making the milestone feel even more full circle.</p><p>Kai admitted that the magnitude of the opportunity did not immediately sink in when she first learned she had landed the project. It was only when her mother flew in from Cebu City to personally congratulate her that the moment truly became real.</p><p>“<em>Doon</em> <em>palang mas nag</em>-sink in<em> sa’kin na</em> I was doing [the project] because of my mom’s reaction, and <em>siyempre</em> I’m so grateful, I’m so honored because it could have been anybody but they trusted me enough to do this,” she said, reflecting on what she considers one of the biggest dream-come-true moments of her career.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaS6pEuAf08/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2190346%2C%22ls%22%3A2187173%2C%22le%22%3A2190333%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px" spellcheck="false"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Kai Is living her real-life <em>Moana</em> story<br/></strong></div><p>Kai Montinola’s journey to stardom mirrors Moana’s story in more ways than one.</p><p>Before becoming one of this generation’s fastest-rising young stars, Kai revealed that she once envisioned a simple life in Cebu. Like many, she thought she would stay in her hometown and follow a more conventional path.</p><p>Much like Moana, however, Kai eventually realized that her heart was calling her somewhere beyond the familiar. Reflecting on that life-changing decision, she shared, “<em>Bihira &#x27;yung hindi mags</em>-stay <em>sa</em> Cebu. I was like, should I just stay in Cebu or, you know, follow my heart as Moana did?”</p><p>Choosing to take that leap of faith proved to be the turning point in her life. After auditioning for<strong><em> Pinoy Big Brother</em></strong> and making a name for herself inside the iconic house, Kai has since blossomed into one of the industry’s most in-demand young stars, landing major brand endorsements, TV commercials, acting projects, and now, a milestone music opportunity.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaRrek9pjRM/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A2276654%2C%22ls%22%3A2187173%2C%22le%22%3A2190333%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px" spellcheck="false"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>The story behind why “Hangganan Ko” means so much to Kai <br/></strong></div><p>Hearing the Tagalog version of one of her favorite Disney songs was already a surreal moment for Kai Montinola. But discovering that she would be the one to sing it made the experience even more unforgettable.</p><p>As the voice behind “Hangganan Ko,” the Filipino version of the iconic Disney anthem “How Far I’ll Go,” Kai said she was immediately impressed by how carefully the song was adapted into Tagalog.</p><p>“When I first listened to it, I was like, props to the translator, the one who translated it, and the one who sent me the guide, who sang the guide, because it’s very technical <em>din talaga e</em>,” she shared.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783152313703[image] - 818080.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Kai Montinola at Tokyo Disneyland | Photo from @kaisha.aaa</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Kai admitted she initially had no idea how intricate the localization process was until the team explained the challenges behind it. She then added, “<em>Hindi ko siya na-r</em>ealize<em> na ganun pala ka-</em>technical until they told me about it. Every syllable has to match the English version, and I was like, ‘Oh, that’s really, that’s really interesting.’ So, I’m grateful to be doing this.”</p><p>Beyond the technicalities, Kai said what made “Hangganan Ko” even more meaningful was how the Filipino lyrics delivered the song’s emotions in a more direct and heartfelt way. Among her favorite lines is,<strong><em> “‘Pag umayon na makuntento ba? Kahit ang puso’y awit ay iba, ako ba’ng mali?”</em></strong></p><p>For Kai, those lyrics resonated deeply, reflecting her own journey of choosing to follow her dreams despite the uncertainties—a path that, much like Moana’s, was far from easy.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783152376583[image] - 2826475.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @kaisha.aaa</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>What makes <em>Moana</em>&#x27;s story so special</strong></div><p>Growing up, Kai Montinola always looked up to Moana as more than just a Disney princess. The 19-year-old Kapamilya star shared that what makes the beloved heroine’s journey so meaningful is its universal appeal, resonating with audiences of all ages. Whether for children discovering their own paths or adults pursuing their dreams, Moana’s story serves as a reminder to stay courageous, persevere through challenges, and never stop chasing one’s goals.</p><p>Now, Kai is even more excited to see Moana’s story come to life on the big screen through its live-action adaptation. For her, seeing a real actress portray the beloved heroine will allow audiences to connect with the character on an even deeper level.</p><p>“I think it will resonate; it will help people resonate more with her <em>kasi iba &#x27;yung</em> animation <em>sa</em> live action; <em>mas mararamdaman mo talaga</em>.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783152469566[image] - 6043159.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @kaisha.aaa</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>The opportunity to be part of the project also holds a deeply personal meaning for Kai. Much like Moana, she believes her journey is proof that dreaming big is never something to be afraid of. Looking back, she sees her own story reflecting the same message of trusting herself and following where her heart leads.</p><p>“Like Moana, she listened to her heart; she followed her heart, and there she goes. She was destined for greater things, as I think I am as well. I think that there are more things that I am meant to do, and therefore, all I have to do is just listen to my heart,” she highlighted.</p><p>Ending the interview on a truly Disney-worthy note, Kai reflected on how the experience has turned one of her biggest childhood dreams into reality. “Now that I’m doing this, I can definitely say that, you know, dreams do come true,” she concluded. From the broad skies in &quot;Kai&#x27;s the Limit&quot; to the deepest depths of the ocean with Disney&#x27;s <em>Moana</em>, her talent reaches far beyond the surface, making Kai the newest unstoppable force in the industry.<em></em></p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/4WmEveN1pEBJEMisWGM5qb?utm_source=generator&amp;si=b6d6579b717a474e" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Lead photo from<strong> Disney </strong>and<strong> @kaisha.aaa</strong></p>

<p>From dreaming of becoming the voice behind a Disney princess to finally singing her favorite Disney anthem in Filipino, Kai Montinola is living the dream she once thought was impossible. </p>

From dreaming of becoming the voice behind a Disney princess to finally singing her favorite Disney anthem in Filipino, Kai Montinola is living the dream she once thought was impossible.

The Story Behind Why 'Hangganan Ko' for Disney's 'Moana' Means So Much to Kai Montinola

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The Story Behind Why 'Hangganan Ko' for Disney's 'Moana' Means So Much to Kai Montinola

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published July 05, 2026 10:00 AM PHT

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Updated July 05, 2026 10:44 AM PHT

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