SB19’s 1Z Entertainment finally debuts first girl group XONARA

May 21 ------ “Kung wala yung isa, wala po yung XONARA.” That was how member Tin described rookie P-pop girl group XONARA during an exclusive media panel ahead of their official debut, as the group opened up about embracing their differences as part of their identity.

The seven-member act officially debuted on May 16 at Escolta St. through “XONARA’s World,” where they premiered their debut single, Tabi. Despite only beginning their journey as artists, XONARA already drew a strong crowd of supporters who filled the historic street to welcome the group. Composed of Eurekah, Dominique, Lei, Ella, Tin, Namie, and Megumi, who each bring a distinct personality and experience into the act. “One thing Filipino audiences might love about XONARA is how genuine and authentic we are as a group,” Lei said during the media panel. “We all have different personalities, different stories, and different styles, but we become one,” Dominique said. The members’ differences became something they learned to embrace instead of hiding. “Sobrang crazy po ng pagkakaiba namin, buti na lang nasa group tayo. We understand each other,” she said.

The members also spoke about finally reaching their debut after years of preparation, describing it as an emotional milestone. For Dominique, the debut day marked the end of a two-year wait under training. “Finally! Dalawang taon po kaming nag-training para sa araw na ’to,” she said. Ella, meanwhile, looked back on the challenges the group went through before making its debut. She said their journey was filled with rejections and difficult moments that led them to where they are now. “There are so many roads na may no po, and those roads led to this,” she said. “I’m so blessed to be here.”

Their experiences of persistence also define the group’s identity, reflected in their name. According to Megumi, XONARA came from the words “Sonar,” “Sora,” and “Narra.” “Sonar” represents the group’s voices and stories, while “Sora” was inspired by Tandang Sora and the courage she represented. “Narra,” meanwhile, refers to the Narra tree, symbolizing their grit and resilience. “The X represents limitless possibilities for us girls. It also stands for you, me, and everybody,” Megumi explained. The members said the same idea of inclusivity eventually became part of Tabi, which first started as a training assignment before becoming their official debut track.

The title carries several meanings. In Bisaya, “tabi” can refer to something worth talking about. In Japanese, it means journey, while in Filipino, it can mean to step aside or make space for someone beside you. “Puwede niyo po kaming tabihan,” Tin said. The members also participated in writing the song, which Eurekah described as an emotionally exhausting process because of constant revisions. “Sobrang daming revisions. Sobrang daming drafts,” she recalled.

According to Eurekah, she and Tin reached a point while writing the second verse where they no longer knew what else to add. “Umabot sa point na umiiyak na po talaga kami. Yung feeling na ubos na ubos ka na, doon ako kumuha para masulat ko yung second verse,” Eurekah said. Ella later shared that creating the track became one of the group’s favorite parts of training. “We love our process, we love the craft po, and (we love) making music,” she said. “Each part of Tabi has its own story. We’re so happy to share it with all of you, guys.” When asked about the message they want listeners to take from Tabi, Namie said the track reflects both the group’s beginnings and shared journey. “Tabi is about us po. Introduction po namin siya to who we are and what we went through po, like our journey,” she said. Namie added that the song also carries a message for listeners to keep going despite challenges. “Sana ma-take po nila na message is it’s okay to go through ups and downs as long as we keep moving forward and always believe in ourselves,” she said.

Musically, XONARA shared that they currently want to focus on hip-hop and R&B while staying open to exploring other genres in the future. “Starting pa lang po si XONARA. Gusto po sana naming mag-focus po sa hip-hop and R&B for now,” Eurekah said. “Pero, of course, we are open po in the future na mag-try po ng ibang genre.” During the exclusive media panel, the members also spoke openly about insecurity and self-doubt throughout their trainee years. Tin got emotional as she recalled feeling like an underdog during training, given how different their backgrounds and experiences were. She admitted there were moments she doubted whether she would even debut with the group. “I just showed up. Naniwala ako sa coaches namin, naniwala ako sa girls, naniwala po ako sa training namin and everything was worth it,” she said. Tin shared that their coaches constantly reminded them not to compare themselves with others. “You don’t have to compare your chapter one to someone’s chapter 30,” she said. “As long as you keep on going and showing up.”

Although the members dream of performing on international stages like Coachella one day, the group said they currently want to focus on connecting with Filipino listeners first. Dominique added that, regardless of where they perform, XONARA intends to give the same energy to every audience. “Lahat po ng stage papasukin namin. Walang maliit at walang malaki. Ibibigay po namin yung best namin,” she said. For Megumi, staying grounded in their roots remains important as the group begins its journey. “Home is truly where the heart is,” she said. “Sobrang importante po sa amin na tangkilikin po ang sariling atin.”

XONARA is the first official P-pop girl group launched under 1Z Entertainment, the independent label co-founded by the “Kings of P-pop” SB19.

Source: philstar.com