P-pop has come a long, long way.
When seated for the press con of an upcoming all-P-pop concert and convention, this is a pretty obvious conclusion to reach. PPOPCON, a two-day hybrid event happening on April 9 and 10, boasts a lineup that defines what Filipino pop is today. But a week or so before they hit the stage, these artists come together—both virtually and IRL—in one room, pondering on the genre that they’ve branded themselves with.
“This event will be very monumental since ito ’yung pinakaunang event ng P-pop sa history ng original Filipino music,” says Yukito of boy group Press Hit Play. “Sobrang pinangarap natin ’to, dahil dati sobrang hirap ma-recognize.”
(This event will be very monumental since this is the first P-pop event in the history of original Filipino music. This was something we really wished for because before, it was really difficult to get recognized.)
C13, leader of rookie group VXON, thinks that the event will help spark a “buzz” with P-pop on the international scene, rousing anyone curious enough. SB19, present in the room as well, echoes the thought.
“Sabi nga namin before na soon, makakaya din natin na ipakita sa lahat na tama tayo,” says member Josh. “Na kaya natin talaga [na ipalaganap ang P-pop] at matulungan natin [din] ’yung economy ng Philippines. Feeling ko mangyayari na ito very very soon.”
(As we said before, soon, we’ll be able to prove to people that we were right. That we can actually help promote P-pop, and that we can even help boost the economy in the Philippines through it. I feel like this can happen very very soon.)
1st.One. Photo from 1st.One’s official Facebook page
And towards their endgame of “P-pop rising”—a phrase that the groups cheer during several points—the artists have come to reflect on what the genre was like years before. For those who were fans of P-pop prior to their now-idol status, it was a drastic change.
“Ang dami nagsasabi nung start na P-pop was a copy of K-pop or whatever they may say,” Ace of 1st.One recounts. (During the beginning, a lot of people said that P-pop was a copy of K-pop or whatever they may say.)
“P-pop groups can only do so much to make P-pop rise,” says Ace. “But the ultimate weapon of [making it happen] will always be the fans.”
“But for us, P-pop was never a copy of K-pop or American pop. K-pop as well took their roots from American pop. So, it doesn’t really matter. Ang important po dun is ’yung sariling atin na ma-iincorporate natin dito through time.” (What’s important is that we incorporate [our own culture] through time.)
“As time progresses, sa paghihirap ng mga singers na hindi sumuko, it started the wave,” explains AJ of girl group G22. (As time progressed, with the hard work of these singers who didn’t give up, it started the wave.)
“And now, we were able to join the wave, and people are starting to love and support P-pop groups like us and our seniors.”
G22. Photo from G22’s official Facebook page
“Hard work” took on a more difficult meaning for a lot of these artists, given that some were formed during the pandemic, while others met their rise in the midst of it. To certain groups like Daydream, it’ll mark the first time they’ll see their fans in the flesh.
“We were locked up—not only us, but all the groups here—were locked up for about two years or more because of the pandemic,” tells Ace. “The fans and viewers can expect a blast because all of us are really ready to give our all.”
Kaia. Photo from Kaia’s official Facebook page
To prep for their upcoming performances, 1st.One recounts their daily regimen, while Kaia drops details of their rigorous dance run-throughs 50 times a day. “We live by the statement that practice will never betray you,” Sophia says.
The P-pop concert-convention is just one part of the genre’s trajectory in the music scene. A trajectory, by the looks of it and by the hopes of artists, that is an uphill route.
“In five years, I see the P-pop industry much bigger than it is now,” Nate of BGYO predicts, describing performances in the future as something much more advanced. “Way bigger, way better.”
Fans are the ‘ultimate weapon’
But with all the crystal clear work these artists are putting in, to them, they’re only one side of what makes P-pop, well, P-pop. Its vital ingredient? The fandoms.
“P-pop groups can only do so much to make P-pop rise,” says Ace. “But the ultimate weapon of [making it happen] will always be the fans.”
SB19. Photo from SB19’s official Facebook page
“Now, we have everyone here, and I believe there’s strength in numbers,” adds Pablo of SB19. “[With this PPOPCON], matutulungan talaga ’yung pagkakaisa ng mga fanbases. Kasi no matter what happens—kami talaga, ’yung mga grupo dito, magkakaibigan kami—we share one heart. Talagang buhay na buhay ’yung pusong Pinoy sa amin. And if our fans have that as well, then I think hindi talaga malabo na makilala ’yung kultura ng Pilipino sa buong mundo.”
(This PPOPCON can help unify fanbases. No matter what happens—the groups here are all friends—we share one heart. The heart of the Filipino is really alive within us. And if our fans have that as well, then I think it isn’t far-fetched that Filipino culture will be known across the world.)
The groups, alongside 4th Impact, Alamat, MNL48, BINI, PPOP Generation, R Rules, Calista, and Dione, are set to perform at the New Frontier Theater and Smart Araneta Coliseum, available on-site and on livestream. For tickets, check out www.ticketnet.com.ph and www.ktx.ph.
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Header art by Yel Sayo
Photos courtesy of groups’ Facebook pages