It was a surreal moment for P-pop girl group OONA as they were announced as the newest girl group under ABS-CBN’s record label Star Music during their debut launching day on July 31.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, the five-member girl group consisting of Coleen, Isaki, Kari, Jaylou and Bella, shared how the moment was just once a dream.
“Everything na nangyayari ngayon, sobrang pinapangarap lang po namin. It was just literally a dream parang nung kailan lang,” Kari said.
She added that the group is taking everything one step at a time while embracing the opportunities that come their way through their new record label under Star Music.
“Now, it's really coming true na. Baby steps kami na pumasok and super thankful kami. As artists, we now have more creative freedom to explore and just let our creative side go freely,” she added.
The girls also expressed gratitude for the warm welcome they received from ABS-CBN Music head Roxy Liquigan, Star Music creative director Jonathan Manalo, and label head Andie Arellano during their launch.
Coleen couldn’t help but feel a rush of emotions after hearing the executives' words of encouragement. “Grabe po! Nakakakilig po 'yung coming from them. Hindi po kami aware na ganun pala 'yung sinabi nila kahit na bago-bago pa lang kami. Nakaka-overwhelm po siya.”
“At tsaka po super pangarap po kasi talaga namin. We're very happy, kami. Ngayon ang mga nire-ready po namin, syempre, bago-bagong kanta, and everything,” she added.
With a record label along with their management‘s Aguila Entertainment and Islah Entertainment, OONA is looking forward to sharing more of their music. They are especially excited since they took part in writing their songs.
“Marami po kayong aabangan,” Isaki teased. “Especially po because sobrang hands-on din po talaga kaming girls sa process ng lahat — sa music, sa words, sa ideas. Feeling po namin mas ma-iinspire at ma-appreciate niyo dahil hindi lang po kayo basta nakikinig sa music, malalaman niyo rin po 'yung part of our journey all throughout the years,” Isaki said.
The group also shared their wish list of future collaborators, naming OPM icons Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Sarah Geronimo, KZ Tandingan and Yeng Constantino, as well as fellow P-pop acts BINI and BGYO, band Cup of Joe and singer-songwriter Angela Ken.
Star Music executives, meanwhile, expressed confidence that OONA will become one of the label's next breakout acts.
Sir Roxy revealed that work has already begun on the group's debut album.
“Actually, we're very excited for OONA, and marami na kaming plans for you guys, and abangan niyo 'yung first album ng OONA. So, we're working on it, kami nila Jonathan and Ms. Andie,” he revealed.
He also pointed to the continued rise of P-pop, saying the genre's momentum creates an exciting opportunity for the group.
“P-Pop is now. P-Pop is happening. With our artist roster, especially with BINI, BGYO, Baby Dolls, and now, OONA, I think 2027 will be the year of OONA,” he predicted.
For Sir Jonathan, the group's talent is another sign of the evolving OPM scene.
“Noong una ko silang nakita, sobrang ako na-excite, and again, another confirmation na talagang ibang level na talaga 'yung talents na meron 'yung mga Gen Z artists natin. And truly, confirmation na we're experiencing a new golden age of OPM. So, I'm very excited for OONA.” he expressed.
Andie echoed the sentiment, recalling that she was immediately impressed after watching the group's rehearsal videos.
“I already saw their rehearsal video, and I was like, ’Sir Jonathan, let's meet these girls.‘ Kasi parang, okay sila, very promising young ladies. We're so excited for the new sound of the girls,” she stated.