MNL48 general captain Sheki Arzaga on Wednesday, April 6, pointed out that MNL48 being the first P-Pop group in the Philippines, opened up opportunities for other idol groups to emerge.
“Siguro dahil parang we are the first P-Pop group in the Philippines, and as seniors, naranasan namin lahat ng mga first. First achievements, first bashing, first lahat,” started Arzaga during the virtual media conference for their latest single, New Way Man.
The girl group was formed in 2018, with the country not totally in the process of accepting the Pinoy Pop genre. It caused MNL48 difficulty in establishing their sound.
Like role models, the group soon had others following their footsteps, making them proud that they pioneered P-Pop.
“I’m very proud na kahit papaano, ang MNL48 ay nakapagbigay ng help sa kanila and na-follow nila ang footsteps namin.”
Member Abby Trinidad even shared that being an influencer was just a dream.
“Alam niyo po dati pinapangarap lang namin. Lagi namin sinasabi na balang araw mamahalin din kami ng Pilipinas.”
Trinidad then expressed her joy that Filipinos have now accepted their culture.
“And now, as a center-girl po and as a Senbatsu, talagang nararamdaman namin na minamahal kami ng Pilipinas. Unti-unting na-accept ano ang culture talaga ng MNL48 at alam namin na nakaka-inspire din kami ng iba’t-ibang groups.”
She then promised, “ipagpapatuloy namin ang pag-inspire ng ibang tao.”
Arzaga also considered it a feat for the group.
“Yung ma-appreciate ng mga tao, pinaka-big achievement na sa akin yun.”
No Way Man is the seventh single of MNL48. It was launched on April 1 and is now available on various digital streaming platforms.
