What was once seen as an afterthought, P-pop has now become a rising force in the local music industry. While it might be hard to believe for some, there was a time just a few years ago when the general public didn’t just ignore P-pop but even openly mocked it, with frequent criticism being that it’s just a lower form of K-pop.
But as the genre continues to draw crowds, fill arenas, redefine Filipino music, and take its place on the global stage, P-pop has proven itself to be a lot more than just a reflection of global pop trends. Slowly but surely, it’s a movement that’s also building a future where Filipino pop groups and idols are treated with the respect and support they deserve.
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P-Pop Idols on What Makes the Genre Special
As the name suggests, P-pop is inherently Filipino, and that includes how Pinoys are musically inclined. Singing, dancing, and performing come naturally to many Filipinos, so for idols who have trained for months and years for their debut, P-pop serves as a natural extension of that love of music.
“Alam natin lahat na Filipinos are naturally inclined sa music. So I think natural na sa atin yung music in our blood (We all know that Filipinos are naturally inclined to music. So I think it’s natural that music is in our blood),” shares YGIG’s Maeg with MEGA Asia. But it isn’t just about recording a song and memorizing choreography. P-pop, despite what some may say, is a form of cultural expression, as what you hear in a song and see on stage carries the essence of local culture in it.
“We really try to incorporate our culture in our music,” adds Maeg. “So sa creative process, tinatry talaga natin involved lahat sa pagsulat ng sound, sa pagproduce ng music (In the creative process, we really try to be involved in writing the sound and producing the music).” It’s a sentiment shared by RAYA’s Anna about how P-pop is inherently Filipino and Filipino-made in serving as an extension of local culture. “What makes us unique is the story itself, which is the music that we make and the art that we make.”
“Alam natin lahat na Filipinos are naturally inclined sa music (We all know that Filipinos are naturally inclined to music).”
– YGIG’s Maeg
With the success of artists such as SB19 and BINI and the virality of groups like KAIA and Baby Dolls, people have been giving P-pop more of a chance. And for those who don’t outright dismiss the genre, they’ll find a space that not only has talented homegrown artists but is also diverse when it comes to the music. “I think Filipinos are very great storytellers,” shares KAIA’s Charlotte. P-pop at its best isn’t just good music and performances but a cultural experience that feels special and relatable for Filipino fans while introducing international fans to a taste of OPM and Filipino culture.
The Talent and Artistry of P-Pop Idols
It’s not lost on many P-pop artists that this new age of the genre is mainly driven by Gen Z, both in terms of groups and fans. “I think that P-pop is such a youth-driven space,” comments FINA’s Chill. “And because of that, the identity of P-pop is something that people are still developing. It’s not from a genre that we’re borrowing, and it’s a space that we’re creating by ourselves. We have our own identity that we’re showing. We have our own personality that we’re showing.”
While the term “idol” can be a loaded label, it does mean that the new generation will have artists they can look up to who represent various parts of the Philippines and in whom they can see themselves. P-pop idols aren’t just blank canvases but talented individuals who have put in the work to follow their dreams.
“I think that P-pop is such a youth-driven space.”
FINA’s Chill
They bring their own perspective to the community, and for G22’s AJ, that plays into why the genre continues to thrive. “Actually, the individuality we all have, yun yung nag-aambag sa P-pop (Actually, the individuality we all have, that’s what contributes to P-pop). And with that, it’s a whole package, the creative direction. I believe everyone here is involved in their own craft and that’s what makes it beautiful: the minds of everyone.”
Ultimately, with P-pop reaching new heights, the success of one group is the success of all. There’s no competition amongst these artists in seeing P-pop get its flowers with a growing audience that believes in and genuinely supports the music and groups. “Nakakatuwa lang na ang daming natin ngayon (It makes me happy that we are so many now). We started this as a small community, and now we are so big right now and ang daming tumataya sa P-pop dahil naniniwala sila sa craft, mensahe, and adbokasiya ng bawat grupo (We started this as a small community, and now we are so big right now and so many are trusting P-pop because they believe in the craft, message, and advocacy of each group),” says AJ.
Adds Charlotte, “Dahil P-pop is rising right now, I’m very happy that we can all contribute to that growth. Nakikita ko rin na ang daming P-pop groups na nagririse ngayon, nagthithrive, and mga bago, kaya I can say na P-pop is in a very good place (Because P-pop is rising right now, I’m very happy that we can all contribute to that growth. I see that there are so many P-pop groups who are rising now, thriving, and new groups as well, that is why I can say that P-pop is in a very good place).”
The interviews have been edited for length and clarity.
Feature Image and Photos: CORNERSTONE, BINI (via Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
P-pop, or Pinoy pop, is a Filipino music genre featuring homegrown idol groups who incorporate Filipino culture, language, and storytelling into their music and performances. Unlike K-pop, P-pop is rooted in OPM tradition and Filipino identity — with artists involved in writing and producing their own music.
The most prominent P-pop groups include BINI and SB19, who have led the genre’s mainstream breakthrough, alongside rising acts like KAIA, Baby Dolls, YGIG, RAYA, FINA, and G22. BINI’s appearance at Coachella 2026 marked one of the genre’s biggest international milestones to date.
P-pop idols from groups like YGIG and RAYA describe the genre as a natural extension of Filipino musical culture — where singing, dancing, and performing are deeply ingrained. Artists say they actively incorporate Filipino cultural elements into songwriting and production rather than adapting existing genre formulas from abroad.
P-pop is gaining international recognition, with BINI’s Coachella performance in 2026 serving as a landmark moment for the genre’s global visibility. Groups like SB19 have also built significant international fanbases, and the broader P-pop community continues to attract attention beyond the Philippines.
P-pop artists from G22 and KAIA describe the genre as being in a strong period of growth, with more groups debuting and thriving. They emphasize that P-pop’s identity is still being shaped — built collectively by a new generation of Filipino idols who see each other’s success as shared momentum.
