MANILA, Philippines—To celebrate the rise of Pinoy pop and music culture, fans are now on the cusp of witnessing P-Pop history with a one-of-a-kind event bringing together both esteemed and rising Pinoy Pop artists for an exciting live concert and fun-filled convention, at the Pinoy Pop Convention. Here are idol groups coming to PPOPCON this weekend.
Over the years, more and more people are starting to recognize and gravitate towards the rising talents of the Pinoy Pop (P-Pop) music scene, ultimately becoming a phenomenon in and of itself. Artists and groups have been making a name for themselves, proving to the Filipino audience on why their music and art deserve to be heard.
To celebrate the rise of Pinoy pop and music culture, fans are now on the cusp of witnessing P-Pop history with a one-of-a-kind event bringing together both esteemed and rising Pinoy Pop artists for an exciting live concert and fun-filled convention, at the Pinoy Pop Convention.
“Indeed, the 2022 PPOPCON is a celebration not just for the fans, but for the richness and diversity of Pinoy Pop culture music. I am so thrilled that together we will create memories to remember in this monumental event,” Project Head Andhie Salutin says.
With this, the biggest names in the Pinoy Pop music scene come together to provide an exciting tease of the much-awaited PPOPCON happening on April 9-10, 2022 at the New Frontier Theater and Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In a hybrid media conference held at Novotel Manila Araneta City, 16 of the country’s most-celebrated pop groups united to share their preparations and thoughts as the country’s first and biggest collaboration of highly-anticipated P-Pop acts comes near.
SB19
Image courtesy of PPOPCON
A global chart-topping Pinoy group, SB19 is a quintet under Sony Music and ShowBT Entertainment which consists of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken and Justin.
The “SB” in SB19 stands for “Sound Break” which represents their goal to break and uplift the Filipino music and culture to the global scene. On talking about how they have always wanted an event like this that celebrates and brings together the talents of P-Pop and how it has been made a reality by PPOPCON, the group shares, “ We’re actually very proud, kasi they have joined us with this battle, ang battle na para i-prove sa buong mundo na kaya ng mga Pilipino makipagsabayan. At siyempre para maipalaganap ang culture natin.”
4th Impact
Image courtesy of PPOPCON
An internationally renowned girl group, 4th Impact is composed of sisters Almira, Irene, Mylene and Celina. The group rose to popularity after competing in the twelfth season of the British singing contest The X Factor.
They participated in several Philippine and international talent competitions, including the World Championships of Performing Arts, which they won in 2006 and 2013 as Vocal Group of the World and the South Korean talent search Superstar K6.
The group talks about their experiences during the pandemic, saying, “yung pag li-livestream namin was a blessing in disguise during the pandemic. Ang dami pong mga struggles na naranasan namin pero ang faith naming magkakapatid siguro yun yung nagpatatag samin.”
Alamat
Image courtesy of PPOPCON
Alamat is a six-member multilingual boy group composed of Taneo, Mo, Jao, Tomas, R-Ji, and Alas who are all managed by Viva Artist Agency and Ninuno Media. The group distinguishes itself as a sing-rap-dance boy band that sings in several Philippine languages and fuses international and local elements in its music and visuals.
“Feeling ko kasi tadhana talaga. Pina-experience sakin sa group kung paano bigyan ng sagot ang mga problema,” Tomas shares talking about how his experience in Pinoy Big Brother helped him become the P-Pop star he is today.
Press Hit Play
Image courtesy of PPOPCON
A six-member boy group, Press Hit Play consists of Yukito, Sev, JP, Zi.O, Yuuki, and CHRLS, under Evosound. PHP started as an independent group writing, arranging and producing their own songs and music videos. The members were previously part of cover groups and contest winners in the Filipino Kpop community—a group of friends who share the same passion and dream to be an artist. With this, PHP shares they want to inspire more artists to rise from the local scene.
“Actually hindi kami makatulog these days. Talagang excited na kaming makasama ‘yung mga co-PPOP groups na nandidito ngayon,” they share.
1st.One
Image courtesy of PPOPCON
A group of fiery and talented performers who want to inspire the whole P-Pop community through their talents. 1st.One is a 6-member Filipino boy group under FirstOne Entertainment. ACE, Max, Alpha, J, Joker and Jason debuted on July 31, 2020 with their song “You Are The One“.
VXON
Image courtesy of PPOPCON
Managed by Cornerstone Entertainment, the five-piece boy group VXON consists of C13, Sam, Patrick, Vince, and Franz. They will be kicking off with their debut revolutionary track “The Beast” that’s going to hit the airwaves exclusively by CS Music tagged as P-Pop Rookie Monster of 2022.
Speaking on the rising global attraction and recognition of PPOP, the group, through group leader C13, shares, “We want people to know na ang P-Pop, galing sa different genres. Kinuha natin siya and pinakita natin, nilagyan natin ng Pinoy touch, so nagpapakita tayo ng different flavors.”
MNL48
Image courtesy of PPOPCON
An all-girl group with 48 members, MNL48 was formed by Star Music, Hallo Hallo Entertainment Inc, and Vernalossom Co. Ltd. The 1st generation members have been selected in a noontime show through live auditions. MNL48 currently consists of 30 official members divided into 3 teams.
“We are so excited and happy na makakasama na namin ang aming ka- P-Pop groups and finally mami-meet namin kayo in person. We are so happy because dumadami na tayo,” the group says.
BGYO
Image courtesy of PPOPCON
BGYO (pronounced as B-G-Y-O) is a five-member Filipino boy group that was formed in 2018 through ABS-CBN Star Hunt Academy that debuted in 2021 under ABS-CBN’s Star Magic. The group acclaimed as the “Aces of P-Pop” Akira, Gelo, JL, Mikki, and Nate co-writes several of their songs.
On the connection that PPOPCON brings and the impact of fans, BGYO shares, “Malaki talaga ang contribution ng fanbases, fandoms sa PPOP movement. Sila yung nakikinig ng musika natin at pumupunta sa mga events natin. And through their efforts mas nakikilala ang PPOP sa ibang bansa hindi lang sa Pilipinas, slowly but surely.”
BINI
Image courtesy of PPOPCON
BINI is an eight-member Filipino girl group under ABS-CBN’s Star Magic. Formed through the Star Hunt Academy (SHA), the group is composed of members Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena.
On their experiences helping them become the P-Pop stars today, they talk about how teamwork and pakikisama when they were in Pinoy Big Brother helped them learn various skills and overcome many challenges that really helped shape them into the stars they are today.
KAIA
Image courtesy of PPOPCON
KAlA is an upcoming five-member girl group from ShowBT PH, the members as of the moment consists of Sophia, Angela, Charice, Charlotte, and Alexa.
The group shares their excitement for the return of live music and events saying, “Of course, we are very excited for this one [PPOPCON]. This is an opportunity that we cannot pass by. With preparation, we live by the statement ‘practice will never betray you.’”
PPOP Generation
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PPop Generation is composed of 45 young performing artists with powerful voices and exemplary dancing skills. Merged together in 2019, the group was mentored by the choreographer of the stars, Ms. Geleen Eugenio and trained by top vocal coaches Ms. Sushi Reyes and Zebedee Zuniga.
“We are so grateful that with 2022 PPOPCON we can finally meet with our friends again. And we can also meet new groups. We are super thrilled and eager to show you guys what we have been working on for the past few years behind the scenes,” the group says.
DAYDREAM
Image courtesy of PPOPCON
Daydream, composed of multi-talented and multi-hyphenate members Kiara, Jom, Awie, and Denise, is a new pop girl group from the Philippines. Produced by Nino Alejandro of Rebel Records, the group launches a unique and fresh new sound to the OPM scene through the talent, hard work, and diverse backgrounds of its members.
On the rise of PPOP internationally, the group says, “I feel like P-Pop in general is getting a lot of attention globally because we do have a lot of world-class talent here in the Philippines. It has just yet to be discovered. And I feel like platforms such as this – PPOPCON’s continuous promotion of PPOP in general will all help us in terms of PPOP rising.”
R Rules
Image courtesy of PPOPCON
R Rules (formerly known as Japh Dolls) are composed of RIYO, RURI, REINA, RISA—all four of them, fluent in Filipino, English, and Japanese and are currently undergoing de rigeur trainee development program to hone their skills. The girls are now set to make an impact on the Philippine pop scene and, hopefully, the global music market.
The group talks about performing live once again, saying “Of course we are nervous because it’s been a long time. But at the same time we can finally perform in front of people so we are also excited.”
G22
Image courtesy of PPOPCON
Dubbed as “P-Pop’s Newest Caliber”, G22 is Cornerstone Entertainment’s very own P-Pop Girl Group made up of four young, beautiful, individually unique, and very talented ladies, namely: AJ (Leader/Main Rapper), Jaz, Bianca, and Alfea (Visual/Lead Vocal). As of recently, the girls have released their debut single entitled “Bang” to the delight of excited P-Pop fans.
On being PPOP fans first becoming idols themselves, G22 talks about the evolution of P-Pop before into what it is now today, the group talks about how their P-Pop seniors started the whole movement and how a lot more people are starting to join the wave. They share how their fellow artists helped pave the way for P-Pop to grow and become more recognized all over.
Calista
Image courtesy of PPOPCON
Calista, which means “most beautiful and feminine”, is also the name of the P-Pop girl group produced by Merlion Events Production Inc. and managed by Tyronne Escalante Artist Management (TEAM) composed of six talented newcomers, Olive, Laiza, Anne, Denise, Elle, and Dain. Homegrown and prepared for the challenge ahead, these girls have put their hearts and minds on the line to put the Philippines on the global pop music map.
On their debut single and music video, “Racecar,” the group talks about how it is all about the journey, with all of its ups and downs. “The goal of Calista is to inspire more people and to create more experiences,” the group says.
DIONE
Image courtesy of PPOPCON
Dione consists of four members Joyden, DK, Clara and Ella under FirstOne Entertainment. The label shared a sneak peak last March 9, 2022 and the girls were revealed last March 13. They have yet to debut, but are already making waves in the P-Pop community.
While not officially debuting, DIONE talks about themselves and what we can expect from them in the future saying, “Lahat naman po ng sumusubok mangarap mahirap talaga ang nadadaanan. Sobrang hirap talaga pero kailangan mo’ng kayanin.”
Official event poster courtesy of PPOPCON
All 16 groups talked about their latest releases, their fans, and their excitement for the return of live music entertainment.
Apart from the media conference, the 2022 PPOP CON kicked off with a series of live-ticket selling events, mall shows, artist activities, and Wish Bus performances that further ignited the excitement of the PPOP community. It is billed as the first and largest event that celebrates Pinoy Pop music, and is set to elevate PPOP in the international music scene.
Images courtesy of PPOPCON
Tickets for the April 9-10 convention at the New Frontier Theater and the April 10 concert at the Araneta Coliseum are still on sale via www.ticketnet.com.ph and www.ktx.ph.