After years of bringing some of the biggest K-pop acts to Philippine shores, PULP Live World founder Happee Sy is now stepping into a new chapter building a P-pop girl group of her own.
During the launch of MEI MEI, the first girl group under Groovy Garden Records, Happee shared how the project allowed her to combine decades of experience in the music and entertainment industry with her passion for Original Pilipino Music (OPM).
“I wanted to really incorporate all the experience we have into OPM tapos I wanted to go down, down to the masses talaga because I wanted them to enjoy that kind of quality (through the group),” she shared.
Credits: Groovy Garden Records
Speaking to PUSH ABS-CBN, Happee revealed that she personally wrote MEI MEI's debut single. “Basically, I wrote that song specifically for them, to introduce them, but then I was thinking if I make it so Gen Z style, I personally cannot relate because I’m a Gen X. So, my source of parang joy talaga is classic Filipino, novelty dance so I did it (like this).”
“Telebong” is an upbeat novelty pop track that takes inspiration from the classic Filipino game. The song brings nostalgia while introducing the girl group members: Jhamayka, Alexa, Ada, Aerise, Thea, Jessie, Yuni, and Dina.
“Every time I hear it, I feel light and happy. That’s the route I want to go, so I introduced it to the girls too. I told the girls and they added some input to make it Gen Z,” Happee said.
During the media conference, the members echoed the song's significance to them.
“Noong nagstart po kasi kami, talagang minake sure po ng management namin to get to know us. One thing that we have in common is hindi lang po namin ginusto magperform but bumabalik din po kami sa roots po namin kaya ganito po ‘yung lyrics sa (Telebong),” Jhamyka told PUSH ABS-CBN. “Yung song po na ganito is parang a tribute po kung saan kami nanggagaling.”
Dina also shared that the group hopes the song will resonate with audiences, adding: “Other than being a Pinoy-inspired, gusto rin po namin maka-connect, hindi lang po sa Gen Zs, but with other generations din po through music para po sila ma-enjoy.”
Credits: Groovy Garden Records
Beyond their debut single, MEI MEI also previewed two unreleased tracks, “Filipina” and “Sinta,” which will be included in their upcoming EP, HELLO PO.
“Mayroon kaming song na ‘Filipina,’ yung lahat ng irit (nila doon), sa kanila iyon. Depende on what they feel,” Happee said.
She also revealed that the group already has a steady release schedule lined up for the rest of the year, saying: “Every month we will be releasing songs for them. Complete na until December. So, hopefully, it makes the community happy.”
As someone who has spent years in the music industry as both a performer and concert organizer, Happee said she hopes to equip the girls with lessons that go beyond singing and performing.
“I always teach them this mantra na ‘shut up, suit up and show up.‘ ‘Shut up’ kasi wag kayo magrereklamo. Stop listening (to the noise), stop doubting, and do what you love. In ‘suit up’, it means magprepare kayo in everything, anytime. And then ‘show up’ kasi what matters is that they are there. Be present and do it kasi that is how I built PULP,” Happee said.