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Welcome to XONARA’s world—where grit, attitude, and storytelling define their entry into the P-pop scene through the hip-hop-driven track “Tabi.”
They marked their live debut along Escolta Street, transformed with black-and-red visuals, pop-up markets, and fan activations surrounding the main stage.Before the festivities began, the seven-member group sat down to share the story behind their two-year journey from trainees to debut artists.
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Behind the Name XONARA
Sonar. Sora. Narra.
“Sonar” represents the seven voices that carry the group—the sound and connection that bind XONARA together. “Sora” references the revolutionary figure Tandang Sora, also known as Melchora Aquino. “We really look up to her as a revolutionary figure,” Filipino-Japanese member Megumi shared during the press conference. “The bravery, courage, and compassion she embodied—that’s what we stand for as XONARA.”
Meanwhile, “Narra,” the national tree of the Philippines, symbolizes the group’s resilience and grit, while the “X” represents limitless possibilities. “We’re big on the human side of things. That represents anyone—us, you, everybody,” Megumi added.
The Story of “Tabi”
The word “tabi” itself carries multiple meanings. “In Bisaya, it means something to talk about; in Japanese, it means a journey; and in Filipino, it means to move and to be beside one another,” Tin explained.
The group revealed that “Tabi” began as a songwriting assignment—one shaped by passion, vulnerability, and a few tears along the way. “We didn’t know this was going to be our debut song,” Eurekah shared.
Blending hip-hop and R&B, the group shared that this is the musical direction they currently want to explore. “Of course, we’re still open to exploring other genres in the future. Even during training, we experimented with styles like ballads,” she added.
As another P-pop girl group enters the scene, Filipino music and artistry continue to expand through XONARA’s quiet confidence, alt-driven energy, and proudly Filipino identity.
Featured Image and Photos: XONARA (via Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
The name XONARA blends the word “sonar,” representing the seven members’ harmonized voices, with references to Philippine culture. It honors the revolutionary courage of Tandang Sora (Melchora Aquino) and the resilient nature of the Narra tree, while the “X” symbolizes limitless possibilities.
XONARA’s debut track “Tabi” blends contemporary hip-hop and R&B elements to showcase the group’s alt-driven energy and quiet confidence. While this urban sound defines their current musical direction, the members have trained in various genres, including ballads, and plan to explore new styles in future releases.
The title “Tabi” holds a triple meaning across different languages and regional dialects. In Bisaya, it translates to something to talk about; in Japanese, it signifies a journey; and in Tagalog, it means to step aside or to stand beside one another.
XONARA held their live debut street festival along historic Escolta Street, transforming the venue with bold black-and-red visuals. The launch event featured the main performance stage alongside interactive fan activations and vibrant pop-up markets.
The seven members of XONARA underwent an intensive two-year journey as trainees before officially launching into the P-pop scene. During this time, they honed their performance skills, experimented with different musical genres, and collaboratively developed the songwriting assignment that became their debut single.
