Gelo on Being BGYO’s Leader and BGYO’s Future on Elevating P-pop on the World Stage

With his overwhelming visuals and towering height, one cannot deny that he also carries a big responsibility as the leader of the soon-to-be bigshots of P-pop. Gelo has always been a natural in dominating the stage, but it’s different now with the world at his feet and everyone as their audience. Before he can conquer the music scene as an artist, he has to master the art of leading. I am a year older than him, but he exudes the vibes of a Kuya I never really had. As the group’s 'Kuya,’ I can’t help but admire his brotherly aura. A boy compelled to grow up as a man to lead a pack of successful individuals.

Below, Gelo tells his journey as BGYO’s leader and speaks his mind that spans towards BGYO’s future which makes me expect nothing less from this natural-born performer.

What’s it like being a leader of BGYO?

Syempre sobrang challenging kase, I have to deal with different personalities. Kumbaga, iba- iba kami ng pinaglakihan. Ako, I’m so lucky na parang na experience ko na rin ang iba’t ibang personalities before ako pumasok sa BGYO, so parang alam ko kung paano sya i-handle. Kumbaga alam ko kung kelan ako magpapakababa, kelan ako mag i-speak up, kelan ako mag c-control, mga ganun.

Were you always the type of man to lead?

Actually sa school, usually kapag may group task gusto ko ako nag llead and feeling ko kaya ko sya. Pero nung sumali ako sa mga off campus dance groups, usually hindi ako yung leader. Pero I can do both.

Can you share how you became the leader?

Trainees palang kami, hindi agad ako yung pinakamatanda. Then, habang tumatagal nagka eliminations kami nung nag Korean training ganun, then one time sa Korean training parang sinabihan kami ng isang Korean dance coach, nagmeeting sila kasama yung ibang Korean coaches na ang iaassign nila na leader is ako. Pero hindi pa sya final nun kase hindi pa kami nag ddebut, ayun habang tumatagal nagkakatanggalan na ng members from seven naging six, hanggang naging five nalang kami. Siguro naging sakto lang na ako yung pinaka matanda at nung na launch na kami dun na na finalize na ako na yung official leader of BGYO.

Tell us your memorable experience with the group

Isa sa memorable experience namin is nuong Korean training, kase sobrang strict diet kami nun. Syempre sobrang hirap kase kailangan desiplinado talaga. Tapos hindi lang Korean training yung inaasikaso namin eh but may outside performances pa kami together with the local coaches. Sa sobrang pagod kasabay nung nabigla sa diet, mabilis kami maging emotional. Then parang ang nagpapasaya nalang samin talaga is kunyari nag kkwentuhan kami, pinag-uusapan lang namin is about sa mga pangarap ganun, sounds cheezy pero ayun sobrang chinicherish namin yung ganung moment. Dun’ siguro namin nahanap yung brotherhood.

As the Kuya of the group, how do you establish a certain level of authority among your bandmates?

Nakakatuwa kase nirerespeto naman nila ako, may time syempre hindi natin maiiwasan na magka away-away, mga common misunderstanding. Pero, andito naman ako para mag speak up parati, kung may nakikita ba akong mali. May part sa akin na medjo nakakapressure kase yun nga sabi nila iba talaga pag nag seset ka ng example and ikaw yung role model. So ako ginagawa ko yung best ko every day. Happy ako kase naramdaman ko talaga na kapatid ko sila, na para bang kadugo ko sila 100%.

What’s the best part of being a P-pop artist?

Siguro ang pinaka ine-enjoy ko is matuto ng maraming bagay, maraming skills, discoveries — marunong pala akong magsulat, marunong pala akong mag rap, kumanta, actually acting nasasama na rin eh. Kumbaga ang P-pop artist kase, ang ini-aim nya is maging excellent sa lahat ng bagay.

Do you get overwhelmed when meeting different personalities and celebrities in the industry? Nakakaoverwhelm syempre kase dati tinitingala mo lang sila tapos ngayon normal nalang yung conversation mo with them. Nakakatuwa kase minsan nakakapag share din kami ng insights sa iba’t ibang bagay, nag shshare kami about artistry, kung paano yung creative approach sa ganitong bagay, ayun sobrang masaya kase may matutunan ka.

Who can you say are your greatest influence as a band? Nuong una, nuong trainees palang kami hindi naman lahat K-pop fans tapos nuong tumagal nainspire kaming sobra sa K-pop lalo na sa BTS. Lahat kami nag explore na, like ako, halos lahat ng K-pop groups alam ko na kahit dati hindi.

What projects are you working on now and what can fans expect from you in the future?

So ngayon, we’re going to have a short break po para makapag recharge at para makabalik kaming stronger than ever. Pagbalik namin aasikasuhin na namin agad yung full album and a concert together with BINI po.

Are there any artists you’d like to collaborate with in the future?

Locally, gusto ko maka work ng BGYO is is Miss KZ Tandingan, Zack Tabudlo, sir Garry V and anak nya si Kiana V.

Do you ever feel pressured, in the face of national or global fame, to present yourselves a certain way to the world?

Actually, syempre yung fame may enjoyment din na halo yan pero medyo nakakatakot na nakakabother at some point kase bawat galaw mo, bawat sasabihin mo marami talagang nakabantay and hindi naman parating positive comments yung matatanggap mo eh. Kase, not all people naman ay gugustuhin ka. You can’t please everyone.

What do you do when you find yourself under overwhelming pressure?

Syempre when I feel overwhelmed, nagdadasal ako. Nagpapasalamat ako kahit walang blessings or kahit maraming problema, nagdadasal pa din talaga ako. Pinaka una ko sigurong ginagawa rin is tinatawagan ko nanay ko kase sya yung pinaka nakakaintindi sa’kin. Ayun, parang when I get overwhelmed by stress, ginagamit ko rin sya as a way para mas maging creative ako, para malabas ko yung laman ng puso ko to something great — like a product or idea.

On Gelo: Polo and Trousers by Ryan Chris Baylen, Sweater by Renan Pacson Custom Pin by KUROBARA

How do you want BGYO to be recognized for?

A group of talented individuals with great personalities.

---

Words by Anna Fregillana (@annafregillana)

Interviewed by Anna Fregillana & Joe Andy

Produced by Philip Vargas (@plipfilms)

Photography by Rxandy Capinpin (@rxandy)

Art Direction, Final Art & Video Editing by Joe Andy (@heyjoeandy)

Fashion Videography by Pogs Francisco (@snaps_ph)

Styling by #TeamRyujiShiomitsu (@teamryujishiomitsu)

Grooming by Jaime Sy (@jaime_sy)

Hair by Mycke Arcano (@mycke.arcano)

Special Thanks to Direk Lauren Dyogi, Mq Mallari, Jovy Aberion & Star Hunt.