From KAIA to 1st.One: P-pop's rising stars open up about goals, creating OPM niche.

'P-pop Rise' is the industry's battlecry. The moment a Filipino act steps onstage, the determination to represent the local music scene takes over their entire being, as reflected in their performances. After all, each P-pop act is hungry to showcase their artistry to the world.

With SB19, BINI, BGYO, MNL48, and Alamat leading the pack, many acts are empowered to bring the industry to greater heights, and these rising stars are proof of where the industry is headed, with some setting their sights to being a force of their own.

Speaking to INQUIRER.net in an exclusive interview, P-pop acts KAIA, 1st.One, Press Hit Play, VER5US, Calista, Dione, and Mona open up about their goals as artists and why they're eager to take the industry to new heights.

KAIA, consisting of Angela, Charlotte, Sophia, Alexa, and Charice, is a girl group who shows girl power, as reflected in their singles 'Kaya,' '5678,' and 'Blah Blah,' with every member putting their own spin.

But for leader Angela, it takes a lot of work behind-the-scenes to deliver an electrifying performance. 'We're stronger, very eager, wiser, and very involved. Ngayon, kapag may gusto kami, especially sa music namin, talagang nagsasalita na kami... Gusto namin kasi, lahat ng mga releases namin, may parte 'yung KAIA, na mararamdaman mo na d'un ang KAIA (When we want something, especially with our music, we're really speaking up... We want our releases to have a part of KAIA, and you would feel KAIA.).'

The group is now 'very persistent.' Siyempre 'yung music namin (Of course our music), we want it to come from our hearts.' said Sophia.

'Mas okay if we are hands-on sa lahat ng ginagawa namin, mas personal siya and dahil d'un, mas nakakarelate ang ZAIA namin and 'yung mga nakikinig sa'min,' she added, referring to their dedicated fans as ZAIA.

(It's better if we are hands-on with everything we do, with more personal touch. Because of that, our ZAIA will relate more and will listen to us.)

While speaking about their goal, they remained persistent on showing that one of their goals as KAIA is to 'promote OPM.' And while they were included in MsMojo's 'brand new era' of global girl groups, they believe that every Filipino has a story to share.

'[We want] to promote OPM, to promote our own talent, story natin, and maipakita sa music na lahat ng mga P-pop groups. Ang galing ng mga Pilipino and nakakatuwa na nakikita 'yun nang unti-unti ng mga international fans (We want to promote OPM, our own talent, own story, and show the P-pop groups' music. Filipinos are really good, and it's so nice to see that international fans are recognizing that),' Angela said.

1st.One, composed of Ace, Max, Alpha, J, Joker, and Jason, believe in the power of having a 'trainee' or beginner mindset, even if it's been three years since their official debut. Prior to their launch, the group was busy participating in various competitions.

Thus it's not hard to see how much the group has...