As they begin their journey in the fast-growing P-pop industry, rookie girl group OONA isn't trying to be the same as everyone else but believes their biggest strength lies in the members' individuality.
Speaking with PUSH ABS-CBN, members Coleen, Isaki, Bella, Kari and Jaylou shared that embracing those differences has become the group's identity.
“Asahan niyo po na marami po kayong makukuha sa amin kasi ang pinaka-pinopromote namin as OONA, 'yung differences po namin, and kahit po as as one group kami pag pinagsama-sama, may differences po kami na talagang makikita niyo,” member Coleen said.
She explained that while each member has her own personality, they complement one another, allowing more people to see themselves in the group.
“Marami pong tao na, you know, kasi ma-re-relate po sila sa isang members, tapos sa isang member naman. So, ayun po 'yung pinaka-gusto naming makilala ang OONA, 'yung differences po namin, pero pag pinagsama-sama, united po kami as one,” she added.
That message is reflected in the group's name itself as “OONA” means “being one.”
“OONA simply means 'Be One' from our differences and we hope to inspire people to love and accept who we really are and to celebrate our differences that create balance and harmony,” Isaki explained.
Before officially debuting, the group underwent a year of training under Aguila Entertainment and Islah Entertainment. While some members had previous experience in girl groups and talent competitions, they said their different journeys brought them together.
“Halos po lahat kami, same same ng naranasan and yung journey na pinagdaanan namin, we shared that to each other. Sobrang grateful na nandito po kami,” Coleen said.
The group's bond, however, was built not only through training but also through personal struggles. During their launch, the members became emotional as they reflected on the sacrifices they’d made before officially entering the P-pop scene.
“Sobrang grateful po ako sa girls na ito kasi sila po yung nandiyan. Sobrang hirap po maging P-pop idol, hindi siya biro. Maraming sacrifices — like studies, sa family, sa friends, time na kailangan po magfocus for being an artist. Thank you, girls! Sobrang proud ako,” Jaylou expressed.
Coleen also revealed that joining OONA came at a time when she needed hope the most: “Blessing po talaga sa akin ang OONA. Before OONA, I was in a dark place and sila yung binigay sa akin ni Lord na isa sa needs ko kaya super blessed ako sa girls na ito kasi isa sila sa nag-angat sa akin aside from my family and friends po.”
Isaki also shared, “Sobrang surreal po nito after ng pinagdaanan namin and hindi namin expected na magiging group kami and surprisingly nagclick kami ng sobra. Masasabi ko po talaga no one created this group, but God did. I’m very very grateful. Hindi po namin sasayangin lahat ng opportunity na ibinigay niyo po sa amin.”
Beyond performing, OONA is also taking an active role in creating their own music. The group recently released their debut single, "DARAMA," which the members helped write, and said collaboration has become one of their greatest strengths.
“Actually, mas madali po siya. Like, surprisingly, kahit magkakaiba yung type, style, pero kapag pinagsama-sama, nagwowork po,” Isaki told PUSH ABS-CBN.
Coleen added that, while Isaki and Kari usually take the lead in developing songs, every member participates in shaping the final output.
“Gusto lang din po namin i-acknowledge, grabe po 'yung pagsulat ng kanta, mostly po kina Isaki and Kari, sila po talaga 'yung pinaka-utak. Actually, lahat naman po kami nag-input, pero sila po talaga. Sila po 'yung parang binibigay po namin sa kanila 'yung ideas, sila po 'yung nag-u-unite,” she said.
Kari echoed the sentiment, saying the group values every opinion: “I just want to add na 'yung mga difficulties, it's more like we want to consider everyone, like sinasabi sila, ’Ay, gusto namin masama siya as much as we can.‘ So, ayun lang 'yung mga consider na mga hindi naman difficulty, pero the rest talaga, it's easy to collaborate with everyone.”
Jaylou continued, “Nire-respect din po namin 'yung bawat isa and sa pagpagsulat ng kanta, kami po sobrang focus din po kami sa aming team, kasi 'yung mga ideas na binibigay po natin, and then pag nilalagay po sa isang kanta namin and then po, nagkakasundo po kami kasi kung ano 'yung mas magandang sound, 'yun po 'yung gagamitin namin. Kasi it's for us and for the music. It's so easy to work with the girls.”
OONA was also introduced as the newest P-pop girl group under Star Music, which is the same record label of nation’s girl group BINI, boy group BGYO and It’s Showtime’s Baby Dolls, among others.