G22 on why ‘P-pop Rise’ matters, expresses admiration for SB19

G22 members (from left) Jaz, AJ, and Alfea. Image: X/@G22Official

P-pop girl group G22 — consisting of AJ, Alfea, and Jaz — believes the growing P-pop industry is “not a competition, but a revolution.” With this in mind, they pointed out that they would rather focus on inspiring each other and their audience.

“In our song ‘Boomerang,’ we [believe] that this is not a competition. But a revolution. P-pop is a revolution, not a competition,” the group’s leader AJ told reporters at a press conference in Pasay City.

Embodying their stance as the “Female Alphas,” the members of G22 said being part of P-pop is an inspiration in itself while noting they want to focus on the industry’s growth instead of dragging each other down.

“Iisa lang naman tayo ng goal na umangat ang P-pop at kung competition man, friendly competition lang. Walang dinadrag na pababa (We only have one goal, and that is to push for P-pop’s rise. If it’s a competition, it’s just a friendly competition. There’s no room for dragging each other down),” said AJ.

G22 members (from left) AJ, Jaz, and Alfea in a concept photo for “One Sided Love.” Image: Courtesy of Republic Records, Universal Music Group Philippines, and Cornerstone Entertainment

Meanwhile, Jaz said the female trio are inspired by their fellow groups. “We are out to inspire. Not just the audience but also each other.”

“We get inspired by other P-pop groups, by their success, and their amazing capabilities in music and releases,” she continued. “So, it’s great to be part of this community that’s growing and making waves.”

When asked about fan wars, Alfea and AJ pointed out that having an “open mind” matters while reminding the importance of focusing on the positive side.

The Filipino-Australian Jaz, on the other hand, said she understood where the “heart of fans” lay, but kindness should still prevail.

“To all the fans who engage in fan wars, we know where your heart lies. People who love someone defend them, and we know where it comes from,” said Jaz. “We truly love you, but to all our fans, please spread kindness. Think before you tweet, and always try to understand each other.”

Defining girl power

While G22’s concept leans towards girl power, AJ stressed that being a “female alpha” covers a wide spectrum, and shouldn’t be boxed into being “maangas (or feisty)” or assuming a strong image.

“Being a female alpha can be cute or feisty. It’s a wide spectrum of girl power. As G22, we always explore. We want to show our versatility as artists. It’s our message too. Girl power covers a wide spectrum too. It’s not always about being strong or heavy. She can be out for her goals, chill, or vulnerable,” she said.

Jaz chimed in with AJ’s thoughts, saying being a “powerful woman” is about empowering others to be powerful in their own way and becoming a “positive influence.”

“To be a powerful woman is to empower others to be a powerful woman, having [a positive] influence to make people smile and make people confident and be themselves, whether it’s being feminine or masculine,” she said.

What they learned from SB19

According to G22, one of the highlights of their career was being tapped to be an ambassador for a Taiwanese electronics company, where they had the opportunity to share the stage with Sandara Park and SB19.

This opportunity opened doors for them to learn more about Pablo as a producer, where they worked on the track “Limitless” which was composed by SB19’s leader.

“We know the excellence of Kuya Pablo and how he is. He was not a rapper or singer in the recording booth. He was a producer, so I was very nervous. But he guided us throughout and paid attention to every detail. He wants to make sure you’re fine and comfortable doing things,” said AJ.

G22 (center) with SB19, Sandara Park, and host Luis Manzano at the “Aim Limitless” concert at the Mall of Asia Arena. Image: X/@SB19Official

The girl group also touched on the brand’s “Campus Tour” where they worked with SB19’s Justin, Stell, and Josh. Recalling their behind-the-scenes interactions, Alfea said they were such a joy to work with.

“We were very happy about it. Kuya Justin, Kuya Stell, and Kuya Josh were very light to work with. We were very comfortable to be with them. We saw how humble they truly were, whether it was interacting with fans or the staff. They don’t think highly of themselves,” added Alfea.

Meanwhile, AJ shared that the P-pop powerhouse “never slacked off in their jobs,” despite their multiple pursuits as a group and as individuals.

“For them, exhaustion is not a reason to slack off. They don’t see their many activities as an excuse. They would still smile and be professional. That’s what we learned from them. You owe your success to your fans and supporters, and that energy should be reflected in every moment,” she recalled.