IT was an all-or-nothing decision for the members of the newest P-pop group ECLYPSE to hold on to their dreams as P-pop idols.  

Composed of Lex, Dean, Gilly, Clyde, Gab, Joshuel, and Rave, the septet faced many bumps in the road for two years before finally debuting in the P-pop scene in April this year. 

Emboldened by years of struggling together, the members have become too close with each other, calling themselves “siblings.” 

As siblings in music, they hope to create songs that can resonate with many people and bring pride to the country. 

In an exclusive interview with republicasia, ECLYPSE shared their journey from their pre-debut era until now that they are gaining traction in the P-pop industry, and why their music is also a “movement disguised as entertainment.” 

From ‘YAMA’ to ‘ECLYSPE’

Formed under KUMU, the group was originally composed of Gilly, Lex, and Dean in 2022. They won the reality survival show “Top Class” and became part of the trainee group “Top Class Five.” 

Later, Clyde, Gab, Joshuel, and Rave were added and formed the seven-member group called YAMA. 

In 2023, five months after YAMA was formed, KUMU announced that it would no longer handle the group and transferred them to Merlion Entertainment under the new group ECLIPSE. 

The septet underwent another rebranding in November after they were transferred under the supervision of GKD Labels. They also changed their name to ECLYPSE and the fandom name to MOONLYTES. 

But why ECLYPSE? 

According to Dean, the term ‘eclipse’ means “new beginnings,” which best represents their journey as a group that underwent a couple of rebranding. 

Replacing ‘i’ with a ‘y’ in the name also bears meaning to the group. 

“Yung ‘Y’ po, first meaning po niya is ‘yung pinanggalingan nga po namin na name before which is Yama so it’s like us looking back po sa pinanggalingan namin, and also it means you, Moonlytes, na kasama po namin all throughout our journey,” Dean said. 

Gilly added that the name is also connected to their concept of light and dark in music. They can explore light themes, exuding bubbly and cute vibes, and dark themes, showing their ‘angas’ and cool side. 

This light-and-dark concept was very apparent in the group discography. 

Music as a movement 

Last April, ECLYPSE finally made its official debut with the release of “MASCOT” and “Shake It Down.” 

The two debut singles encapsulate the “contrasting forces of light and rebellion,” capturing the complex stories about the group. MASCOT, for instance, is a song dedicated to their fans. 

“As individuals, we have different stories, different points of views. Nag-start actually ‘yung MASCOT, meron na kasi kami na parang supporters nung journey pa lang namin hanggang bago kami mag-debut. So basically, [it] is our song for our fans, thanking them for their support,” Lex shared. 

Meanwhile, Shake It Down is a song dedicated to themselves and what they want to achieve and fight for. 

It is delivered through symbolism in the music video, depicting the social norms that hinder people from dreaming of greater things and being content with what society dictates them to be. 

The people wearing masks and face paint, according to the group, are those who conform to these societal stereotypes and norms, but ECLYPSE chose to deviate from them. 

“Nagdi-differ siya samin kasi kami ‘yung walang face paint or kami ‘yung hindi naka-mask so parang meron kaming big dreams and we wanna achieve it,” Lex said. 

“Ang goal is not just to comply kung ano lang ‘yung basta sinasabi or basta nakasanayan but really [to] dig deep kung ano ‘yung individuality mo and to be who you really are,” he added. 

This is what the group meant when they said they create “music that is also a movement disguised as entertainment.” 

“Like our music, we want to advocate individuality and somehow challenge the status quo and make a better future for all of us,” Gab said. 

But creating a movement must require breaking many walls and overcoming many hurdles, which the group has already been doing for the past two years. 

Group journey and struggles 

For Rave and Gilly, one challenge the group encountered during the pre-debut days was to create a strong connection among the members, given their different skills and backgrounds. 

Rave mentioned that some members had prior dancing or singing experience while others did not, which made it hard for the group to match each other’s skills at first. 

It was all thanks to the humility and willingness of each member to learn that allowed them to resolve the issue. For instance, in terms of singing, Dean shared that the members would not stop practicing unless they achieved perfect harmony. 

“Meron po kaming mga kanya-kanyang assigned harmony or assigned melody… and ‘pag kakanta po kami as a group, iru-run po namin nang iru-run hangga’t meron pa po kaming naririnig na parang ‘di pa okay parang may kulang pa, ‘di pa nagma-match hanggang sa mag-match na po talaga,” Dean said. 

When it comes to dancing, Gilly said that they would help each other out by identifying each member’s weaknesses so the group would know what strategies to apply for improvements. 

“Parang ngayon gamay na gamay na namin ‘yung isa’t isa so kahit we still have a lot to improve din, feeling ko gagaling kami together,” Gilly shared. 

Like a family, the group also had some misunderstandings in the past, which they called “away kapatid.” 

“Syempre, hindi po namin maiwasan na magkaroon ng misunderstandings. Nagkakaroon din po ng times na nag-schedule kami ng open forum and dun po sa time na ‘yun, nagiging open po kami sa isa’t isa and pinag-uusapan po namin ‘yung problems,” Joshuel shared. 

“Matagal-tagal na rin po kaming magkakasama. Meron na pong natural bond talaga na nabuo na we don’t have to force anything ta’s meron po [kaming] mga maliliit lang po na asaran sa umaga tapos sa gabi bati na ulit,” Clyde said. 

But as a group who have been through a lot, the hardest hurdle was when they were having doubts about whether to pursue their dreams or choose another path. 

“Marami na rin pong times na talagang pinaghihiwalay kami ng tadhana, and ang dami pong pumapasok sa isip mo na baka di ‘to para sayo,” Gilly said. 

“Meron din kasing time talaga na parang masasabi mo talaga na ang hirap-hirap na, lumalabo na habang tinutuloy. Nagkakaroon talaga na ganoong experience,” Dean added. 

Yet no one even attempted to give up as each member could not even dare leave their so-called “kapatid.” 

“Yung hinihintay mo silang sumuko pero wala talagang sumusuko so parang anong karapatan kong sumuko. Di mo maiwan ‘yung bonding niyo e parang nanghihinayang ka kasi alam mong may potential ‘yung group,” Gilly said. 

For Clyde, the good thing about having seven members is that “when one member gets weak, six of us are gonna be strong for them.” 

If there is one important lesson that Rave learned in the past two years of being together with his co-members, it is to always look back on your “why.” 

“Isipin mo lagi kung bakit ka nag-start, kung bakit ka nag-simula, babalik ka doon sa sinabi mong ‘yun… ‘Yun po ‘yung important lesson sakin na ‘di ko lang po i-consider sarili ko, dapat i-consider ko rin po sila since as a family na po talaga kami dito,” he said. 

Change starts from ‘real conversations’

As a P-pop group that seeks to create music that also makes a movement, ECLYPSE believes that “real conversations” initiate change. Thus, the group aims to produce music that can speak for the people. 

“Gusto po namin na mag-iwan kami ng magandang message to the people. Gusto po namin na makapag-speak out for those people also na afraid to speak out for themselves,” Dean said. 

The group also wants to be an “icon of hope.” As products of “second and third chances,” according to Clyde, he hopes they will serve as an inspiration with all the struggles they have faced as a group. 

Moreover, Gilly said that they also want to be a “safe space” for people, particularly their queer fans. 

“We believe that everyone deserves to be loved and appreciated. Everyone deserves to love who they want to love and kami sa ECLYPSE, asahan niyo na ipaglalaban ka namin anytime, anywhere,” he said. 

Dean added that they stand with their LGBTQIA+ fans and the rainbow community, saying their support is “long-lasting” and does not end on the last day of Pride month. 

As one of the rising P-pop groups in the country, ECLYPSE hopes to produce “classic” songs.

They also want to leave a legacy in the local music scene, revolutionizing the ever-expanding P-pop industry with their music that is not afraid to tackle present issues and themes—and people will soon see more of this in their future discography. 

This article is part of the May RA Spotlight. Follow republicasia on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get the latest.