KAIA’s Charice, Sophia, Angela, Alexa and Charlotte share how SB19 helped them when they were just starting out as a group up until now that they’ve released their new single Walang Biruan. Photo from KAIA's Facebook page
Charmie Joy Pagulong - The Philippine Star
November 10, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The members of the P-pop girl group KAIA are grateful for the support that they are getting from other P-pop groups, especially SB19.
In an exclusive chat with The STAR at the Sony Music Philippines office, Charice, Sophia, Angela, Alexa and Charlotte of KAIA detailed how SB19 encouraged and helped them when they were just starting out as a group up until now that they’ve released their new single Walang Biruan.
In fact, Pablo, Justin and Josh hopped on to the Walang Biruan song and performed the dance with them as seen on their social media pages.
The girls shared that SB19 congratulated them upon the release of the track and the music video.
“I think one of the lessons that has stuck with me since we were trainees is that practice makes perfect,” offered Sophia.
“Like me, personally, I know the feeling na when I perform na kulang sa (but lacking in) practice as compared to nakapag-practice talaga. So that’s when I realized that it’s really right. That’s why they perform that way because they do this. I’m inspired to be like that also.”
KAIA is among the performing groups at the international event, Round Festival, in Laos.
Charice, on the other hand, recalled that when they churned out their debut song Kaya, they were too shy to show it to SB19 members. “We showed it (lyrics) to Kuya Pablo and Kuya Josh, and then takot na takot kami like, ‘Don’t read it, don’t read it.’ As in we were embarrassed to show the lyrics to them,” she said.
“But Kuya Pablo read (the lyrics) and he told us not to be afraid or laugh at your work. Your work, whatever that is, that’s where you unleash your artistry. So be confident and believe in yourself.”
Angela confessed that there were times when she felt like she didn’t do her best. “So they told me that whatever happens today, you have to do better next time. It’s like every day is a new day and do your best in every performance,” she said.
“Our resources are not that much as a group. I remember Kuya Justin, who said to me before, to do your best even in the simple things. Pagandahin mo na yung simple.”
She added that Josh would still continue to give them advice to do their thing as a group. “Kuya Josh really believes in us. He would always tell us that we will become famous,” Angela said. “He would always promote us and we’re very happy that he would include us in his shows.”
For Alexa, what she learned from SB19 is to “stay true to yourself.” “Because sometimes, there are some people who would give advice and opinion on what we should do. But at that time, when I experienced that, Kuya Pablo said, ‘It’s their opinion and advice but you don’t have to follow everything most of the time.’ He said that we know better, alam namin yung experience namin and dapat gawin sa mga gagawin namin. So it’s better if you’re the one who will decide on what you should do with your artistry.”
SB19’s Pablo and Justin hop on the Walang Biruan dance challenge with KAIA.
The most memorable advice from SB19 for Charlotte was to not be afraid to make mistakes. “Because in that way, you will improve and grow as an artist,” she explained.
“So if ever you make a mistake, take that as your motivation to do better,” she continued.
“And especially when we were rookies, because they’ve really monitored us since our rookie days. Their simple advice motivated us to do better. Until now, we carried it with us.”
SB19 was one of the reasons why KAIA and other groups entered the P-pop music scene, the group asserted. “We look up to them as our role models and seniors,” said Angela.
KAIA’s Walang Biruan, now out on various platforms, is about confessing your feelings to someone you love.
“Regardless of your gender, when you like a person, you can start telling that person and inform them of how you feel,” expressed Angela.
The bubblegum pop track reflects the group’s “very fun, very youthful, and very energetic” vibes, she added.
