Maki and Haro Are Chasing Dreams Higher Than Ever—Side by Side

I’ve grown fond of the peacefulness—and at times, the comforting silence—that comes with being a family of four. The house feels more spacious. With my father often at sea and my younger brother frequently traveling as an international athlete, it’s usually just my mother and I navigating the ebb and flow of daily life.

Still, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to have a bigger family, especially in the kind of culture the Philippines has. I imagine bustling dinners filled with laughter and stories every day, where everyone brings their unique personalities and side tales to the table. The endless bickering, the playful cold wars that would ensue, and the formation of teams would create a chaotic atmosphere that’s anything but dull, similar to a Pinoy Big Brother house. Who would be the first to initiate a small fight, the one to apologize first, or the peacemaker who swoops in to mend any rifts?

And with lots of siblings, I can only imagine it would be a delightful battle every day, filled with childish banter and spontaneous and planned adventures. Being 13 in the house, I see this in the lives of OPM star Maki and Haro, a member of the P-pop group PLUUS. 

But beyond having seven siblings, it’s their bond as brothers—with a four-year age gap and a shared room throughout their childhood—that tells a story about how relationships evolve over time. Growing up side by side, they navigated the ups and downs of life together, learning from each other and shaping their dreams. 

Fine-tuning overtime

It’s quite uncommon to share the same hobbies and interests with your siblings. While I don’t consider myself particularly sporty or athletic, my brother embodies those qualities, making us polar opposites in that regard. The common ground we share? Well, it’s practically nonexistent.

However, for Maki and Haro, the dynamic is a refreshing contrast. They not only support each other but also flesh out their dreams together and merge their passions and aspirations in a way that enhances their individual journeys.

March 31, 2023, was just another day for many, but for Maki and Haro, it shimmered with the promise of their dreams coming to life. Having faced their fair share of struggles to carve out a place in the competitive music industry, Maki reveals that their passion for music and the arts has always been their driving force. That day marked a significant milestone for them—both the debut of PLUUS and the release of Maki’s hit track “Saan?” to the world. And as they say, the rest is history, and things are only getting better from there. 

Growing up, Maki and Haro shared a room, but that doesn’t mean they were always as tight-knit as they are now. As Maki puts it with a chuckle, “Ang relationship namin ay nag-evolve nalang overtime.”

Over time, they’ve come to realize that they are truly a team, that they rally around each other in their pursuits and become each other’s support systems. “Lagi kami nag-wowork hand in hand,” Maki says with a warm smile. “Whenever one is struggling, we’re there to help. Kahit di niya sabihin, we’re there for each other.”

Their bond has blossomed into a seamless partnership, with each brother instinctively sensing when the other needs a boost. “Sobrang laking influence ni Maki for me. Kami yung usually magkausap sa mga bagay-bagay,” Haro shares. 

It’s as if they’ve created a secret superhero code—always ready to swoop in and support each other, no questions asked, just the brotherhood telepathy always working. This connection allows them to tackle challenges together and makes their journey in the music world all the more enriching.

Who’s who

The most cherished moments of growing up are often hidden in the most unexpected places around the house. While some may overlook the mundane, it’s in those seemingly ordinary moments that we find our best laughter—and sometimes, our biggest arguments.

The same can be said for the artist brothers. While the P-pop idol tends to be more of a listener, his brother Maki embraces the role of the peacemaker. Haro speaks of his “kuya” with genuine admiration, repeating the word “mabait” twice for great emphasis: “Super duper helpful niya sa family namin especially sa akin. Mabait po sya, mabait po sya talaga.”

As they mature, Maki and Haro have learned to rise above the small squabbles that used to ignite easily in their younger days. Of course, this isn’t to say they never clash—after a tough day at work, tensions can sometimes flare if one has a bad day or a bad mood. However, they’ve both grown into their roles, recognizing that confrontation is part of their dynamic as brothers. 

Maki, often playing the role of the peacemaker in the family, embraces the art of forgiveness that almost becomes second nature to him as naturally “mabait.” “I wanna look more at what can be done rather than what shouldn’t be done,” he expresses thoughtfully. And as Haro describes, everything in their relationship is just a matter of “give and take.”

The cuteness of their relationship lights up even brighter whenever Maki and Haro watch the same anime series or when Maki goes on an out-of-town trip, eager to stay updated on what’s happening at home (he’s randomly asking stuff to Haro), or when Haro casually asks his “kuya” for the password on anything through phone. From then on, everything rolls out, and before they know it, they’ve been talking to each other for over an hour—even more so. 

Rising OPM star and P-pop idol

“Everything is possible.” As cliché as it may sound, these are the words “kuya” Maki wishes to share with Haro in every endeavor he pursues. The advice he wants to give his younger brother, who is venturing down a similar path, is a bit kinder and more uplifting: “I know you know it, and I know you can do it,” he adds.

It’s important for him to remind his brother that every setback is just a stepping stone toward success. “I want him to see that obstacles are not the end, but rather a part of the journey,” Maki shares.

But one valuable lesson that Maki, the older brother behind the hit song “Dilaw”—the first-ever track to reach number one on Billboard PH—has learned from Haro is the significance of being firm and decisive. Maki openly admits to being an indecisive overthinker, often weighing every possible outcome before making a move.

In contrast, Haro embodies decisiveness. “When he decides on something, it’s game on,” Maki quips, learning from Haro that in life, “if you’re going to take a risk, give it your all. Let life be life.”

Haro’s boldness encourages Maki to embrace a more confident approach in his own life and career. It’s a dynamic that reflects not just their personalities but also the mutual growth they inspire in each other, that sometimes, the best decisions come from trusting your instincts and going for it without hesitation. And that’s the very piece of advice Maki holds dearly as he moves forward in life, breaking free from his cautious tendencies—well, not all the time, but particularly when it’s needed most.

So, where has this newfound confidence led Maki? To a string of chart-topping hits in 2023 and 2024 and a highly anticipated sold-out concert on November 29 and 30 at the New Frontier Theater.

Meanwhile, as the supportive and protective “kuya” to Haro, Maki, on the other hand, imparts a vital lesson that is crucial for navigating the cutthroat idol industry, where artists are often seen as mere commodities: “Don’t let other people control your emotions.” 

This piece of advice shots through Haro, who understands the importance of maintaining emotional independence in a world full of opinions and judgments. By internalizing this lesson from Maki, Haro feels empowered to forge his own path as a P-pop idol, confident that he can stay true to himself while pursuing his dreams.

And it’s just something deeper and more magical. 

I’ve come to wonder how the dynamic would be between siblings from a big family. I tend to be curious about the thought of it, but with Maki and Haro, who share the same wavelength, the same hobbies, the same interests, the same industry, and the same dreams, their connection transforms every experience into a shared adventure and their bond creates a beautiful synergy that feels almost effortless. 

Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a sibling who’s not just family but also your greatest cheerleader and partner in crime, with a relationship that matures beautifully over time? How exhilarating would it be to tackle challenges together, knowing you have someone who understands your journey as deeply as you do? And isn’t it heartwarming to think about the memories they could create together, weaving through the ups and downs of life side by side with their music as their melodic witnesses? After all, with siblings like these, no dream is ever too high.

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Photography and Creative Direction by Rxandy Capinpin

Art Direction by Joe Andy

Words and Interview by Jacob Santos

Styling by Aaron Mangasat

Grooming by Mycke Arcano

Assisted by Arnold Esguerra 

Fashion film by Ian Francisco

Gaffer Edward Lagorta

Special Thanks to Tarsier Records and SBTown Philippines