Alamat members (from left) Tomas, R-Ji, Mo, Alas, Taneo, Jao. Image: Twitter/@Official_ALAMAT
Alamat — composed of members Taneo, Mo, Jao, Tomas, R-Ji, and Alas — proved that they’re one of the rising groups in the P-pop scene after getting featured in American magazine Teen Vogue.
The P-pop boy group opened up about being “role models” in spreading Filipino culture in different parts of the globe, as per the feature published on Tuesday, Jan. 24.
“Growing up as a Waray-Waray, I really wanted to see my culture and traditions shared with the rest of the Philippines. Now, I’m grateful that I get to be the one doing that not just for my province but for the entire country,” R-Ji was quoted as saying.
“As idols from Gen Z, many people notice us and what we do; it’s not enough that we’re talented anymore. We have to set a good example and contribute to shaping society for the better by speaking up on issues that might be taboo in the industry.” #ALAMAT https://t.co/S7XMgYjkY7
— Teen Vogue (@TeenVogue) January 24, 2023
As Gen-Z artists, Alamat also shared their thoughts about wanting to be a “good example” to their fans, as well as contributing to “shaping society.”
“Many people notice us and what we do. It’s not enough that we’re talented anymore. We have to set a good example and contribute to shaping society for the better by speaking up on issues that might be taboo in the industry,” leader Mo said in the report.
The group’s leader also spoke about wanting to prove their identity as a multiethnic group without letting go of their true selves.
“We want to prove that we don’t need to let go of or shed who we are just so that others could accept us, whether as artists or as people,” Mo added in the report.
Alamat’s Teen Vogue feature comes after the release of their latest music video, “Maharani”, which was dropped on the same day. The single, which was released in November 2022, is included in their first mini-album “Pasulong”.
The colorful “Maharani” music video showed the members of Alamat decked out in various outfits inspired by Filipino culture, where they also performed an intricate tinikling routine with Jhoanna, a member of a P-Pop girl group BINI.
Taneo, Mo, Jao, Tomas, R-Ji, and Alas also donned neckties featuring embroidered designs from Marawi City, and also danced to the song with singkil-inspired movements.
Jhoanna took to BINI’s official Twitter account on Wednesday, Jan. 25 to thank Alamat and group creative director Jason Paul Laxamana for inviting her to be part of the music video.
“Thank you sa lahat ng suporta, love and positive comments from Maharani MV! Thank you po sa trust direk @jplaxamana and @Official_ALAMAT! Worth it ang mga paltos sa daliri and paa from singkil and tinikling,” she said.
(Thank you for all of the support, love, and positive comments from Maharani’s music video. Thank you for the trust, director Jason Paul Laxamana and Alamat. Getting blisters on my fingers and feet from dancing singkil and tinikling was worth it.)
Hello!!! Thank you sa lahat ng suporta, love and positive comments from Maharani MV! Thank you po sa trust direk @jplaxamana and @Official_ALAMAT! Worth it ang mga paltos sa daliri and paa from singkil and tinikling haha. We love you Blooms and Magiliws! ❤️
BINI_Jhoanna
— BINI_MEMBERS (@bini_members) January 25, 2023
Alamat was formed by Viva Artists Agency and debuted in February 2021. The group is known for promoting various Filipino ethnicities through music which can be seen in their hit songs “Kasmala”, “Aswang”, “ABKD”, and “kbye”, among others. EDV