In 2023, select members from Asian girl groups from Nagoya (SKE48), Jakarta (JKT48), Bangkok (BNK48), and Manila (MNL48) were invited to join a pioneering Asian cross-border unit, Quadlips which was launch last year. From the Philippines, 21-year-old Ashley Nicole Tanael Somera or Cole, as she is fondly called, talked to PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview about being handpicked for the group.
READ: MNL48 returns to music scene, collaborates with int'l group Quadlips
Even though she didn’t have to join any competition for a slot in Quadlips, Cole tiold PUSH ABS-CBN that there was never any open rivalry between her and the other members of MNL48.
“I didn’t need to beat anyone naman. I feel llke the choice was from the management rather than us fighting for the spot. I really thought it wasn’t true because MNL48 at that time already had stuff going on and I was a center for summer time so initially I was just focusing on that and suddenly this opportunity came up. i’m very, very grateful na I was chosen,” she said.
READ: EXCLUSIVE: MNL48 returns with new captain Jamie Alberto: ‘I really have big shoes to fill!’
With Quadlips currently headquartered in Bangkok, Cole admitted that moving to another country to fulfill her dreams was a challenge at the start. “It was. My parents at first were skeptical of course because I’m panganay and they didn’t know, like sino mag-aalaga sa iyo dun? Paano pag nagkasakit ka? Mga ganyan. True enough, it was very difficult because I was leaving behind my life, leaving behind my friends, my life I used to know. But putting that aside, I feel like I have no regrets. We’ll be going back to Thailand but hopefully we can come back soon to promote ourselves,” she shared.
Even though she is still learning the Thai language, Cole shared just how busy she and her fellow members Feni, Hina, and Fame, are with their rigorous training and workshops. “Our training is usually daily. We explore different genres of music so we try to explore din sa dance and singing,” she added.
When preparing for performances abroad, Cole said she gets a lot of courage from fellow Quadlips members as well as those from their management team who put PInoy talent in high regard. “Well, mataas ang tingin nila sa mga Filipino artists kasi we’re known for our voice. We’re known as really good singers so yung mga members lagi silang nagpapatulong sa akin and I’m pretty much willing to help them,” she admitted.
Having joined MNL48 during its second generation, Cole has often described herself in interviews as a goal-oriented, passionate, and doesn't give up easily. She also looks up to her fellow MNL48 members and mentors Shekinah Arzaga and Alice Margarita De Leon when it comes to being an idol.
Someday, Cole also hopes to be able to get the chance to perform or work with some of her singing idols in the industry like pop princess Sarah Geronimo. “Si Sarah G. number one ko, si Yeng Constantino din. Kasi laking OPM ako. I want to have a chance to collaborate with them,” she said.