MNL48 had the opportunity to represent the country and perform overseas for the first time with their fellow sister groups as they took part in the AKB48 Group Asia Festival 2019 on January 27. It was held at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand (the same venue where the Miss Universe 2018 pageant was held), putting another feather to the cap of the sing-and-dance girl group after their successful debut last year.

MNL48 first performed a set filled with acoustic versions of their songs in a mini-concert, then later took the Main Concert stage alongside Japan’s AKB48, Indonesia’s JKT48, Vietnam’s SGO48, Taiwan’s AKB48 TeamTP, China’s AKB48 Team SH, and Thailand’s own BNK48 in a joint performance. They then they performed their version of “Party ga Hajimaru yo,” “First Rabbit” and “Iiwake Maybe” in their solo performance.

Going international

In an exclusive interview with The Manila Times, Shekinah Arzaga, one of the 10 members sent to Thailand for the said event, shared her excitement for the blessing and honor to be part of it.





“Sobrang nakakatuwa po, and I feel so honored na maging part of the Asia Festival 2019 and parang ito po yung first na meeting namin with the sister groups po,” she said. Abelaine Trinidad said in the same interview that it was a privilege for their songs to be heard by other nationalities.

In an announcement made at the concert, both Arzaga and Trinidad were included in the WRD48, shortened for World48, Special Senbatsu (Selected Member) unit along with the other 14 selected members that came from their sister groups.

Both Arzaga and Trinidad performed along with their respective sub-units, with the former performing the Tagalog parts of the song “Blue Rose.” The latter performed hers in “End Roll.” The performances wowed the audience and on social media, where Arzaga became a Trending Topic on Twitter that night.

Another member, Marsela Guia, stressed another important facet of the event, which was to meet with their international fans. She said in the interview they did not expected MNL48’s fan base to expand overseas.

“Bawat sulok po ng ibang bansa ay nakilala na po kami. Kaya super nakakatuwa po kasi finally naa-appreciate na po kami ng tao hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi sa ibang bansa rin po,” she said.

After the concert’s encore performance, Arzaga thanked the Thai audience for their warm welcome and for letting them to perform in front of a jampacked crowd.

“Our stay in Bangkok, even just for a short period of time, made it memorable. So, we will never forget this for the rest of our lives,” she said.

2nd Generation

During their guesting on ABS-CBN’s noontime show “It’s Showtime” in January, the members had announced that the group has opened its doors for auditions for their 2nd Generation members. The auditions began on January 31 and will conclude on March 22.

Francinne Rifol said that they are glad to welcome new members to their “family” and they are willing to teach them lessons they learned from scratch.

“Looking forward po kami na magiging ‘as one’ po talaga kami,” she added.

Trinidad said a piece of advice that she could give to new members: “give all of their heart in performing.”

“As (an) Idol, kailangan ibigay mo lahat ng puso mo,” she said. Gabrielle Skribikin added that they must be willing to sacrifice everything in order to go through as member of the group.

Lessons from the past

2018 became was fruitful year for them. Their second single, “Pag-Ibig Fortune Cookie,” earned both Gold and Platinum Record awards. They had several successful mall shows and live events as well. Their first upcoming concert happens at the New Frontier Theater on April 6.

Reminiscing the lessons they learned during their aspirant days, which they still apply to themselves up until today, Aubrey Binuya said it is of utmost importance to rely what their coaches taught them.

“Sobrang daming coach na dumating sa amin, hindi naman po sapat yung learnings po namin from the past so kailangan po naming makinig sa kanila kasi they know what’s best for us,” she said.

For Jemimah Caldejon, it is to be God-centered in everything they do. “For us, yun po yung pinakanatutunan po namin, that is before (and) after the performance, nagpe-pray po kami,” she quoted.

Their singles, “Pag-Ibig Fortune Cookie” and “Aitakatta — Gustong Makita,” is still available on digital format on Spotify and iTunes, and on CD at Lawsons Convenient Stores.