One night can change a life forever, but three long years can truly test the strength of that change. It’s the difference between a fleeting moment of brilliance and the enduring flame of true talent.
Typically, stardom in the country begins with a stint on a reality television show, propelling talents into the spotlight without proper training. However, following the successes of P-pop kings SB19 and pioneers MNL48, the stage was set for a new era. This era demanded innovation and a fresh sound that could resonate with a younger, more diverse audience, leaning more toward longevity and global appeal.
Then, from the crucible of the 2018 Star Hunt: The Grand Kapamilya Audition and the subsequent years of rigorous training and challenges, the five-member boy group BGYO showed up, not just once, but a hundred times more.
Three years since their official debut in 2021, you might wonder what keeps them motivated and striving for more. For Gelo, Akira, JL, Mikki, and Nate, it’s in the very essence of their name—they are determined to “become the change” and “go further.”
‘Halika na magpatintero’
In this digital landscape, where connectivity is more pervasive than ever, BGYO stands under the relentless gaze of public scrutiny. Navigating this is akin to playing “patintero” in a highly public arena. Just as in this classic Filipino game, where players must dodge and weave through obstacles to reach their goals, BGYO maneuvers through the challenges of fame, industry expectations, and personal growth from their teenage years to the present day.
“Experience.” This is the word main rapper Mikki uses to differentiate BGYO from their Star Hunt Academy days to the accomplished group they are in 2024. It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply with the members, who nod in unison, having stayed together through thick and thin. As main vocalist JL puts it, “hinulma kami ng panahon sa loob ng tatlong taon” (we were molded by time over three years).
Their journey has not been without its challenges. The digital age brings unprecedented pressure, with every action criticized by a global audience. Yet, the “Tumitigil ang Mundo” performers remain grounded and use these experiences to grow and refine their craft, in more ways than one.
In those three years, leader Gelo has always emphasized the value of “respect” when guiding the group, a principle that beats at the core of his heart. For him, respect is highly important—respect for fans, respect for idols, and respect for every person. Despite everything the group has endured on-and-offline, Gelo firmly believes in maintaining this mindset as kindness will always be the group’s guiding principle because he believes, “Hindi naman po mahirap maging mabait.”
He further shares a piece of advice to think before clicking and to be more cautious in the digital realm, emphasizing that not everyone knows the full context and truth of a situation all the time, asserting, “Forever magiging ganyan ang mindset ko” (This will always be my mindset).
In the game of “patintero” with their dreams and their respective realities, BGYO sometimes touch the line and lose, but together and most of the time, they stay and they try to win. As JL aptly describes, “Kapag nasa BGYO ka, para kang nakatali sa isa’t isa. Sama-sama aangat, sama-sama kakapit” (When you’re in BGYO, it's like being tied together. We rise together, we hold on together).
‘Gigil, di ko na mapigil’
It’s no contention that in order to succeed in the highly saturated industry, a group must possess exceptional talent, a unique identity, and relentless dedication. Today, with the rise of more and more Filipino groups, left and right, not all have what it takes to penetrate the general public. Many face challenges in distinguishing themselves and making a lasting impact, even debuting on a high note, but BGYO, since debut, has no problem acing that as they directly found the light.
Holding on together and rising together, the group has garnered positive buzz for their visuals and dancing prowess, including features on the Grammys website and global charting. As they continue to build on their success, the “He’s Into Her” singers remain a standout group of how talent and perseverance can lead to remarkable achievements in a competitive field.
While the praise is gratifying, Mikki, who is soon venturing into acting, remains focused, as it also serves as a constant reminder of their commitment to excellence and of going further: “We’re happy with the recognition, but we stay focused on our goals. There’s definitely pressure, but we channel that into giving our best performance every time.”
According to Akira, the key to their success lies in pushing the boundaries of their music, turning their weaknesses into strengths, and exploring their full range of abilities. He describes their approach as “todo na ‘to” (going all out).
For Nate, this pressure is not merely a challenge but also a powerful motivator. He adds, “It’s not just pressure but also motivation; we aim to win more awards and achieve even greater heights than before.” This combination of relentless ambition and turning challenges into opportunities fuels BGYO’s drive to continuously excel and surpass their past accomplishments.
One time, Akira and JL were given a sub-unit project for the official soundtrack “Be Mine” for Senior High, and they approached it with immense passion and dedication. This project is also a reflection of their commitment to going further, as Akira asserts that their creativity extends beyond the group’s activities.
“Masaya siya, hindi lang talaga as a group ang art na ginagawa namin. Siguro sa future, feeling ko open kami to more sub-units and solo ganaps,” he adds. (It’s enjoyable, not just the art we create as a group. I think in the future, we’ll be open to sub-units and solo activities.)
Another notable moment came when the main dancer and youngest member, Nate, contributed his first-ever choreography to the group for their latest song, “Gigil.” This was a significant milestone for Nate, allowing him to channel his creativity into a project so important and close to his heart.
He uttered, “This is really significant for me because it’s my first time contributing choreography to BGYO. It’s a big step, and it means a lot to me, especially since I’ve been dancing for a while now. I’ve always wanted to express my own style and ideas through dance, and having the chance to do that with ‘Gigil’ was both exciting and meaningful. It’s an opportunity to showcase not just my skills but also my vision for the group’s performances.”
Throwing it all away
One big thing the boys of BGYO sacrificed the moment they entered the industry is probably half of their teenage years—of being a kid, of being carefree. In the pursuit of their idol dreams, they relinquished this chunk of their lives and immersed themselves in the waters of uncertainty and never-ending hard work.
This willingness to sacrifice everything for their passion is reflected in their newest international single, “Trash.” Laced with pop, neo-soul, disco, and funk elements, the song’s groove is underpinned by lyrics inspired by their experiences with love. Despite their busy schedules managing fame, fans, and success, there isn’t much room for love in their lives. However, if the right person came along—their ACEs—they might be tempted to throw it all away.
JL describes “Trash” as very distinct from their previous releases. He notes that the lyrics are unexpectedly bold and raw, encouraging listeners to fully express themselves, much like discarding something without holding back.
“Iba ‘to sa mga songs na narelease natin before. Yung lyrics mismo marami kang di aakalain na mababasa mo. Ibato nang ibato mo lang, i-all out mo tulad ng pagtapon mo ng basura.” (This is different from the songs we’ve released before. The lyrics have many unexpected lines. You just throw it out there, go all out, like throwing away trash).
The song was written during ABS-CBN Music’s Songwriting Camp in April 2023, which featured collaboration with US songwriters. Akira and Mikki attended the camp and were inspired and honored to work with some of the best in the music industry. The camp brought together notable songwriters like Greg Shilling, Elle Campbell, Lostboy, and Tele, who have written for some of the biggest names in music.
The experience for Akira is something that he holds dearly as a singer-songwriter himself. He says he’s “inspired by the collaborative process and the opportunity to work with such talented songwriters. It’s a chance to explore new creative horizons and bring fresh perspectives to our music,” smiling warmly, as is typical of him.
Mikki also shares, “Working on this project has been a significant growth moment for us. Collaborating with top songwriters and producers has pushed us to explore new styles and refine our sound. It’s exciting to see how these experiences influence our music and help us connect more deeply with our audience.”
When asked about the greatest lengths they would go for love, Nate maintains a positive outlook. He believes that there is always room for love if the timing is right and if it is meant to be. For Nate, the extent to which one goes for love cannot be strictly defined; it is more about being open to the possibilities and allowing love to unfold naturally. This answer parallels their dedication to performing since then, as JL succinctly summarizes, “‘Yung love, sa aming lima muna ‘yun” (The love, for us, is primarily among the five of us).
Although BGYO faces huge pressure that is often beyond their control, they continue to live up to their name by embodying change and striving to go further, for their ACEs, for their family, and for themselves. In those three years, they’ve navigated numerous challenges and even more milestones.
Gelo reflects on their journey with a lighter and kinder tone, letting out a small laugh as he explains that what it means to be BGYO is about being “matapang, matatag, and naka-ganun pa rin oh” (being brave, strong, and still pushing forward, with a playful chin-up gesture.
––
Photography by Wilmark Jolindon
Art Direction by Joe Andy
Words and Interview by Hans Ethan Carbonilla
Hair and Grooming by Mycke Arcano and Bhads Castor
Assisted by Jam Jacobe
Styling by Nash August
Styling Associate by James Bryan Moral and Ram Arched Bayudan
Cover layout by Allen Estaban
Featuring fashion ensembles from Nash August's collection
Interns Angellie Franz Delgado, Debbie Mationg, Jairah Javines, Kzia Casurao, Bernadette Flor, Trisha Baguio, and Jovane Sillar
Comentários