After BINI and Baby Dolls, Oona. Is latest girl group to join Star Music

MANILA, Philippines, August 13 ------ After the success of P-pop girl groups BINI and Baby Dolls, another girl group, Oona (stylized as Oona.), is set to join Star Music, bringing a distinct sound to the label.

Composed of Isaki, Coleen, Bella, Jaylou and Kari, the five-piece girl group has begun their journey with the label that catapulted BINI to the international stage with bubblegum hits like Na, Na, Na, Pantropiko and Salamin, Salamin in 2024, along with Baby Dolls, who are gaining attention with their novelty tracks Ikembot Mo and Oooh Lala Baby.

Oona. will be the latest girl group to join Star Music’s roster, with ABS-CBN Music head Roxy Liquigan already having plans for them ahead. “Marami na kaming plans for you, guys. Abangan niyo ‘yung first album. We’re working on it, kami nina Jonathan, they will be under Star Music,” Roxy said.

ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo is looking forward to working with the girls as he sees a good vision for their music. “Sobra kaming excited for Oona. kasi kitang-kita mo naman na (they have) the best looks. And each of them individually (has) beautiful voices, they have really good moves and the chemistry of a really good group,” Jonathan said. “Very excited kami for your future with us being part of your management now and your official label, Star Music,” he added.

Jonathan lauded the girls for their on-point dance moves and voices, stressing how the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) music industry is in good hands. “Nung una ko silang nakita, sobra akong na-excite and another confirmation na ibang level talaga ang mga talents na mayroon ang mga Gen Z artists. It’s truly a confirmation na ito ‘yung golden age ng OPM. So, I’m really excited for them,” he said.

Isaki expressed her gratitude for the new opportunity that they have with the label: “Sobrang grabe pong opportunity ‘to na nag-open sa amin, and we’re very, very grateful, especially po sa paggawa ng music. We’re looking forward to that.” “After so many months, na kami-kami lang po ‘yung nagkikita-kita, and few people lang po ‘yung nakakakilala sa amin, na nagtitiwala po sa amin, na nakikita po ‘yung journey namin kung paano kami nag-improve sa trainings, tapos ngayon big doors ‘yung bumukas sa harap namin,” she told The STAR.

With K-pop girl groups LE SSERAFIM, aespa, and Japanese girl group XG along with Michael Jackson as their musical influences, Oona. is looking forward to putting dance music center stage. “Feeling po namin ito po ‘yung pinakabagay po sa amin. Na-enjoy po namin siya na i-perform,” Coleen said. “Sobrang nag-e-explore po kami, pinaghahalo-halo po namin ‘yung iba’t ibang artists kahit sobrang layo po ng sound po nila. Tas tina-try po namin silang i-merge,” Isaki added.

As they venture with Star Music, Kari is looking forward to the new sound that they will bring to the OPM and P-pop scene. “Being under Star Music for us is a big thing kasi it will open a lot more doors and opportunities, and siyempre, kami as artists as a group, mas ma-o-open ‘yung creativity namin, freedom namin to express what we want to make in music, and sobrang nakaka-excite po siya,” she said.

At their core, Kari believes that dance really solidifies them as a group, and they can’t wait for the Filipino listeners to hear their music soon. “Sa training development din po namin, doon din po nahasa, and na-direct kung saan ‘yung path na bagay for Oona. and ‘yun ‘yung parang top artists na pinagkukuhaan namin ng reference kasi bagay talaga siya sa amin, ‘yung styles and songs nila,” Kari said. “‘Yung aabangan ko ‘yung new flavor na madadala namin with Star Music and especially with BINI and Baby Dolls. Actually, we have a quite far style talaga. So, nakaka-excite talaga to bring a new flavor,” she added.

Source: philstar.com