MNL48 collaborates with Quadlips. Photos by Josh Mercado

When P-pop was not yet a thing, MNL48 was already on the music scene, releasing songs and winning fans with their charm and authentic Pinoy flair. 

Dubbed the "first ever idol group in the Philippines," they have appeared in numerous Japanese magazines and in Asian music festivals under the AKB48 Group.

After years of absence, MNL48 has decided to return to the stage, this time with new members and new ambitions to prove, as the landscape of P-pop evolves, including trends, fan culture, and marketing.

The group, which includes Jamie Alberto, Andi Garcia, Dana Brual, Lara Mae Layar, Klaire Presno, Klaryle Mercado, Mechelle Abrio, Joey Ira Panganiban, Caroline Antero, Bhrianna Chua, Rhea Mae Lopez, Christine Joyce Dela Cruz, Rachel Suazo, Kathlene Apduhan, and Charmaine Tosoc, recently appeared before the press to promote their comeback, upcoming songs and events, and collaboration with international idol group Quadlips.

“We’re pleased to make this comeback. Our fans have been waiting and cheering for this. Yes, we are here. The goal of this comeback is to rekindle the fire that burns within us. We want to ignite that, and perhaps we will deliver better performances in the future,” MNL48 leader Jamie Alberto told ABS-CBN News.

When asked about the challenges or other activities they undertook as a group during their break, Alberto shared with ABS-CBN News, “Some of us are students, including myself. I go to college. However, the passion continues. We are about to release new projects. We hope they'll give us another chance. We still have that fire going.”

“In those quiet moments, we rehearsed, improved our performance skills, and connected more with one another to get to know each other better,” she added.

Despite the dominance of other idol groups, they do not regard them as competitors, and while fans continue to draw comparisons, they think that music should bring people together.

“As a group, we demonstrate to everyone that we do not perceive other groups as competitors, but rather as extended families. Since the P-pop industry is flourishing, we are very proud to be dubbed pioneers of P-pop in the Philippines. We are quite pleased with the new p-pop groups' success because we all share the same goal of bringing Filipino music and entertainment to the masses,” Alberto told ABS-CBN News. 

Sharing a message for fans, she continued, “We want fans to support all of the P-pop groups and put an end to the conflicts amongst them. I'm grateful that we have fans that continue to believe in us.”

Some of their most popular songs are "Pag-ibig Fortune Cookie," "Palusot Ko'y Maybe," "Talulot ng Sakura," "First Rabbit," "Ikaw Ang Melody," and "High Tension."

During MNL48's press conference, international group Quadlips also appeared to express their support for the group and announce their collaboration.

Quadlips visits Manila

The international all-female ensemble includes Hina from Japan, Feni from Indonesia, Fame from Thailand, and Cole from the Philippines.

As the group's newest member, Cole expressed gratitude for the support she has received since joining, describing it as a true sisterhood.

“I'm very grateful to be a member of Quadlips. It has been challenging since Filipinos are family-oriented. I'm quite close with my family. The shift was challenging at first, but fortunately, I had supportive sisters (group mates). They have been supportive, as has the management. I'm grateful that they gave me opportunity to return home whenever possible,” she told ABS-CBN News.

Talking about the adjustments she took to blend in with the group, she continued, “Marami. We’re based in Thailand. In Thailand, may gestures sila. We have to learn the languages and each other’s cultures and languages para hindi ma-disrespect ‘yung isa’t isa. Bukod dun, ‘yung time. Iba ‘yung time sa Thailand na nakasanayan ko sa Philippines. ‘Yung trainings as well — mas mabigat, mas strict. I got to grow more and learn more.”

Quadlips and MNL48 will collaborate and perform at various music festivals. They all concurred that female groups' rise is unstoppable and aimed to smash records and bring fans together both inside and outside of Asia.