MANILA, Philippines — Another P-pop girl group has emerged in the music scene. Meet MEI MEI, whose members are Alexa, Jhamayka, Ada, Aerise, Thea, Jessie, Yuni and Dina.
The eight-member act, under Groovy Garden Records, the newest record label of PULP Group, was officially introduced during a grand media launch on Wednesday at the Skydome, SM North EDSA. The girls also performed the novelty pop-track Telebong live for the first time, serving as the key track of their soon-to-be-released EP, “HELLO PO.”
During the event, each member has revealed their official personas: Alexa as the purple “Spark MEI MEI,” Jhamayka as the blue “Cool MEI MEI,” Ada as the yellow “Dolly MEI MEI,” Aerise as the lilac “Sweet MEI MEI,” Thea as the baby pink “Princess MEI MEI,” Jessie as the red “Power MEI MEI,” Yuni as the green “Groovy MEI MEI” and Dina as the hot pink “Diva MEI MEI.”
Debuted under Groovy Garden Records, the new music label of PULP Group, MEI MEI is made up of eight members, namely Alexa, Jhamayka, Ada, Aerise, Thea, Jessie, Yuni and Dina.
These personas, according to the group, represent the “individuality of each member while collectively embodying the spirit of MEI MEI — a group that celebrates authenticity, self-expression and the many personalities of the modern Filipina.”
“Each member manages to exude a unique character, showing diversity and how beauty can be so varied. The group strikes me as a cutesy-patoosy manifestation of ‘Voltes V!’ Today, I am still stunned by the development and progress they have made,” chairman and president of PULP Group Vernon Go remarked in his welcome speech.
The girl group is joined by their fans for a photo during the launch at Skydome, SM North EDSA.
Looking back on their modest beginnings and the journey leading to their debut, MEI MEI Thea shared, “Sobrang nakaka-touch and nakaka-proud po because we worked hard for this. We waited so long, ‘yung mga pagod po namin worth it po.”
The groups’ name, MEI MEI, was inspired by the Filipino practice of repeating names and nicknames, such as, “Jan-Jan,” “Len-Len ” and “Mai-Mai” as “expressions of familiarity and affection.”
Expounding on the meaning behind their name, MEI MEI member Jhamayka shared, “Gusto namin instantly relatable and familiar sa mga Filipino. We hope that when you hear MEI MEI, it feels like home. It’s a tribute po kung saan po kami nanggaling and it describes us being so out there and confident.”
Jessie, the group’s leader, said that their main goal is to share their brand of music to the fans and represent young Filipinas. “We want to use this platform to share our individual stories,” she asserted.
On what makes them stand out among emerging P-pop groups, the rising artists shared, “We don’t stick to one image or personality. We all have different personalities and that makes us MEI MEI — our individuality. We are encouraged to show our true selves. No pretention, just simple embracing who we are. Most importantly, we have a strong focus on storytelling through a Filipino lens.”
MEI MEI member Ada added that their dream is to perform “in every street of the Philippines” because they want people across the country to enjoy their music with them as one collective experience.
The girls also shared this simple yet empowering message to today’s youth, “Huwag kayo matakot magpakatotoo. Be one of us. Be MEI MEI.”
For their upcoming record, “HELLO PO,” fans and P-pop supporters can look forward to songs like Filipina and Sinta. Telebong, on the other hand, officially marked the beginning of their musical journey.
