Artists elevate P-pop through PPOPCON
There is no stopping P-pop from rising as the number of Filipino pop groups continues to grow. Hence, Black Star Entertainment Production and Araneta Coliseum’s Pinoy Pop Convention (PPOPCON) aims to “connect the fans and the artists, and to build a strong global P-pop community” through this year’s two-day affair of fan gathering, exhibit and music show. It is also a celebration of Filipino pop culture and music.
The ongoing PPOPCON 2023 at the Quantum Skyview will culminate with a musical event this Sunday, July 16, at the Araneta Coliseum to be headlined by P-pop acts SB19, MNL48, BINI, Alamat, PPop Generation, G22, VXON, Yes My Love and Hori7on. Dione, Press Hit Play, VER5US, KAIA, 1st.One, Calista and MONA will join them on stage.
Prior to the concert, The STAR had the chance to interview some of the P-pop artists at the New Frontier Theater and they shared how their respective groups would elevate the P-pop music in local events like PPOPCON and the international stage amid the more popular K-pop.
Press Hit Play members Sev, Chrls, Yuuki and JP are “very happy and excited” to grace the PPOPCON stage again.
“We’ve been preparing for more than a month and the songs that we are going to perform this time have a twist. It’s not our usual performance that’s why we’re very excited,” remarked Sev.
“OPM (Original Pilipino Music) is the root of all P-pop (sounds),” Chrls asserted and added that they always try to inject the OPM element in churning out songs.
“It (P-pop) is a subgenre of OPM. So, kung ano yung ma-o-offer ng OPM na would be appreciated sa ibang bansa (we also do that). Because we see in other OPM artists who get the spotlight abroad, like our fellow (P-pop group) SB19, they did it which is really possible na magawa rin po ng ibang groups.”
He stressed the importance of making great music that would truly represent OPM. “It is really possible and I hope soon it will be really possible if the support will come from the Philippines (here in the country). Kasi if matanggap po tayo dito, it will be easier to introduce it to other countries,” he added.
First time to participate in the convention is the five-member VER5US, composed of Kheene, Josh, Gab, Joerell and Ken. They have been rehearsing every day for the show.
Through the PPOPCON, the quintet hopes to inspire the fans with the songs that they will render on the culminating night. “When we are writing songs, the first thing that comes to mind is we want this song to give the fans energy and inspiration,” said Kheene.
“So every time we write, we make sure that each song has a purpose,” he shared and cited their first single is about “motivation and victory,” while their second track is more of “laidback and chill” tune.
Josh chimed in, “We plan to elevate our music or the pop music through penning songs based on the experience of pusong Pinoy. It’s like a song that was written by a Filipino or has that pusong Pinoy, talagang lalabas po siya duon sa song, especially if you are that passionate.”
“That’s our aim for our future P-pop tracks na talagang mapapakinggan ng iba’t ibang bansa yung pinanggalingan ng mga Filipinos. It’s not just about the genre but also the art of music,” he added.
They also want to promote the “world-class talent of Filipinos” through the P-pop groups, offered Kheene.
VER5US won TV5’s idol search competition PoPinoy and is set to compete in GMA’s talent competition Battle of the Judges, which will premiere tonight.
Meanwhile, girl group KAIA, composed of Alexa, Charlotte, Angela, Sophia and Charice, admitted that they are “nervous” for their upcoming gig as they only have limited time to practice. Nevertheless, they are glad for the “big opportunity” that came their way and be part of the PPOPCON 2023.
The girls want to showcase their brand of music through the convention, stated Angela. “In this event, since P-pop groups and P-pop fans are coming together, mas makikilala po ng other P-pop fans ang KAIA. And we are excited for that, to show the updated versions of our songs and our good performance.”
She also added that the members plan to “keep on releasing and making new songs” to gain more listeners and fans. “And from that, I hope it will open doors for international fans and also local fans. I also hope that mag-start po siya dito sa country yung pagtanggap sa P-pop po so that other countries will also accept our music.”
On the other hand, Dione just dropped the new single Pangako. Although the girl group made up of Ella, DK, Joyden and Clara are quite “nervous,” they are at the same time “happy and overwhelmed” for their first Araneta Coliseum experience.
DK believes that they can boost P-pop through their music. “When we make songs, we make sure that everyone could relate to the song and once na naka-relate lahat, of course, they will listen to it over and over again. Mas makikilala (kami) and more people will patronize it… So, it’s possible that the global audience will (also) recognize it.”
One of their main goals is to tap the worldwide audience, said Clara. “That’s why we keep doing what we do because ‘P-pop rise’ na po talaga. And that’s the dream. We are already gradually achieving it, which is a good scenario. We’ve been trying our best and we are (reaping) the rewards.”
1st. One members Jayson, Ace, J, Joker, Alpha and Max made sure to prepare well in spite of their tight schedule. They just released the track titled Oras.
The boy band felt “very blessed” to be included in the lineup of PPOPCON and to perform alongside other P-pop groups.
Ace acknowledged that they are influenced by K-pop artists. “Of course, we’ve picked up a lot from K-pop. Undeniably, we’re influenced by K-pop. Like the synchronization itself of the P-pop groups now, it was heavily influenced by K-pop groups, such as Shinee, BigBang, BTS.”
“But music-wise, it’s all the same,” he continued. “For me, wala pong matatawag ngayon na purely this type of music, purely Filipino-concentrated music. Because even K-pop, you can’t label it as purely Korean music. Why? Kasi po andami ng lumipas na oras na lahat po yun dumaan na sa evolution from Backstreet Boys to Nsync. All of those na-pick-up-an na ng buong mundo ng influence. Kanya-kanyang influence.”
“K-pop is not just K-pop. It’s more actually of a culture. It’s not (just) music, for me. P-pop is also not just music, it’s more than music. P-pop is more of a culture and movement. I think of it as a movement. We should still make P-pop continuously evolve no matter what happens,” he explained.
On behalf of the group Calista, Olive shared that they “love to try different genres.” “So we are hoping someday, in the future, like in the genres that we want to try, mag-click siya para sa mga fans na magustuhan nila. If that will happen, na-elevate na natin kumbaga (ang P-pop music). And this is what we are good at and this is what they want. So, we will further push it. The growth is consistent.”
The other Calista members are Denise, Elle, Anne and Dain.
Lastly, solo artist Mona Gonzales (MONA) has been looking forward to the PPOPCON event. “For me, it’s a very, very (good) opportunity because finally, I’m able to perform my original songs with a great crowd.”
On how she could contribute to the spread of P-pop, she said, “There are a lot of ways for me to like endorse or para maipalaganap sa iba-ibang tao, especially internationally. Before I even became an artist, I was a content creator. I used to sing cover of songs in different languages, so I used that as an advantage to release my music.”
“Not just my music but also other P-pop artists’ music,” she added. “I share it to the fans I have internationally and I will do my best that my music will be the way na ma-discover din nila yung (other) P-pop songs and P-pop artists.”
“So for me, like para mas maging known, there should be collaboration or like teamwork among P-pop artists so that we can make P-pop known not just locally but also internationally,” she concluded.
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