Many Filipinos have probably lost count of how many times they have heard or read updates about P-pop groups.
One group that many Filipinos are certainly familiar with is P-pop megastar SB19. The phenomenal quintet has been making a buzz among international audiences with its recently-concluded world tour, foreign media guest appearances, its first international collaboration, and its GENTO dance challenge, which made K-pop idols jump on the craze.
When talking about conquering the global stage, one cannot forget about HORI7ON who recently debuted in South Korea and has shared the stage with a lot of K-pop idols during music shows.
Girl groups BINI and KAIA also entered MsMojo’s list of “Top 10 international girl groups to add to your playlist.”
Meanwhile, more P-pop groups continue to make their music known to many Filipinos, with the release of new P-pop group Bilib’s first single Kabanata. Boy group ALAMAT is also expected to perform in front of a huge crowd in their debut solo concert in December.
These developments are just a few of the many milestones that Filipinos, even non-fans, have heard about the P-pop scene; and this growing popularity is something that P-pop fans couldn’t be prouder of.
‘Proudly Pinoy moment’
College professor Betty Estrada, 27, has been a fan of P-pop since 2020. Thanks to the suggested videos on YouTube, she discovered SB19’s Go Up dance practice video.
The Go Up dance practice video went viral after it was posted by a netizen on X (previously Twitter) in 2019. The video garnered thousands of interactions from many netizens who were apparently captured by the quintet’s energetic and synchronized dance moves.
Estrada admitted that she was one of those individuals who were amused by SB19’s performance.
“I clicked the Go Up Dance Practice Video and fell in love right away with how synchronized their moves are! Then, I started watching vlogs, and I was easily caught by their unique personalities and humor,” she told republicasia.
“Like[what] A’tin always say, SB19’s vlogs are a trap! Once you start, you cannot stop,” she continued.
Estrada immersed herself more in the P-pop scene when she attended the Pinoy Pop Convention (PPOPCON) in 2022. The event gathers fans in one venue to celebrate Filipino pop culture with performances by different P-pop acts.
This event introduced her to many other P-pop groups, Estrada said.
As a P-pop fan for three years, the college professor has seen how these Filipino acts have worked hard to establish their names both on the local and international stage.
Seeing them attain milestones after milestones is definitely “a proud Pinoy moment” for her, she said.
“P-pop groups proved that our talent’s caliber is indeed world-class. The beauty of our culture deserves to be known across continents,” Estrada said.
College student Che-Che Boniao, 20, shared the sentiment and said that Filipino music deserves to be recognized worldwide.
“Hindi maikakaila na kaya palang labanan ng P-Pop idols natin yung mga international music.” Boniao, who has also been a P-pop fan since the Go Up viral video, said.
She also noted that this success is not something that can be achieved overnight.
“Nakaka-proud dahil nare-recognize na tayo ng buong mundo and deserve naman talaga dahil matagal and mahirap yung progress bago nila narating yung tuktok,” she said.
A win for Pinoy music
The milestones that the P-pop scene has notched are not only for P-pop idols and their fans. Students Blessy Borcillo, Russel Basa, and Tricia Saturnino said that this is also a big win for the whole Philippine music industry.
Unlike other fans, Borcillo and Basa admitted that they did not immediately become fans when they first learned about P-pop. But as they got more exposed to it, the two students discovered that these Filipino acts have so much more to bring to the table.
“For me, this is a huge achievement for our music and entertainment industry kasi it shows that Filipinos can also keep up with other countries, and that, actually, we could do more,” Borcillo said.
These achievements are not just about proving their talents to the world, but are also proof that dreams do come true with hard work and dedication, she stressed.
Basa, an SB19 fan, said that she is proud of how the quintet stood firm, despite the challenges and criticisms it has faced when it thrust into the local and global scene.
“For me, I think their success is my success too,” the 20-year-old student said, adding, “I’m proud of SB19 kasi they stood for the P-pop industry.”
For Saturnino, P-pop also opened a lot of doors of opportunity for Filipino artists to showcase their crafts and share their stories.
P-pop as inspiration, motivation
Sure, P-pop catches attention because of its trendy and visually appealing music. But more than these, it’s the songs’ relatable lyrics and the artists’ back stories that made them fall in love more with P-pop.
“The phrase ‘their music saved me’ is true, literally and figuratively. They brought comfort to my soul whenever I felt down, and they made my ordinary day a happy one,” Borcillo said.
Basa echoed this and said that P-pop “healed” her.
“Yes, their music motivated me, but their story as individuals saved and inspired me. I was like their pain is much more than mine, so if they could, then I would too,” she said.
Meanwhile, Saturnino said P-pop brought her dreams to life.
“I also dreamed back then that K-pop would have its own version in the Philippines, and I’m glad that our artists today in the P-pop industry have made it come true,” she said.
P-pop songs also bring joy into her life, Saturnino shared.
“P-pop songs make me happy and accompany me. They make my life not so boring and give me something to look forward to,” she added.
Boniao, on the other hand, said P-pop motivates her to pursue her dream of being an artist. She even uses SB19 songs whenever she auditions for a competition.
Hope for P-pop scene
If there is one thing that these five P-pop fans hope for the P-pop groups, it is that they want the artists to be widely recognized, especially the rising groups.
“As a fan, I would love to see more PPOP groups have nationwide and worldwide tours, as well as more Filipinos supporting our own talented groups para they can be known and recognized pa by more and more people,” Borcillo said.
Boniao shared that she wants people to notice how unique these P-pop groups are.
“Sana rin marecognize siya and ma observe nila ‘uniquely’ ang P-pop kasi most of the time naco-compare siya sa K-pop or J-pop,” she stressed.
Saturnino also hopes to see more aspiring artists become more confident in sharing their talents with the world.
“Many people recognize our potential, and I hope to see more P-pop singers rule the music industry globally,” she said.
In this way, Filipinos would be able to share with a wider audience their culture and heritage, she added.
