Girl group MEI MEI wants to connect with people through their Filipino roots

PULP Group's music label, Groovy Garden Records, introduced eight-member girl group MEI MEI in an event held on May 27 at SM Sky Dome in Quezon City.

During the media conference, the members shared how the group's identity is deeply rooted in celebrating Filipino culture, values, and stories.

“Gusto po namin na relatable and talagang pamilyar and personal po sa ating mga Pilipino. And, as MEI MEI po, we want to represent the Filipino community and our diversity po and we will show that po through our music, performance and personalities,” member Jhamayka said. 

“We also want po na if you hear MEI MEI, it feels like home.”

MEI MEI is composed of Jhamayka, Alexa, Ada, Aerise, Thea, Jessie, Yuni, and Dina, who underwent auditions and training before making their debut as a group. Their group name draws inspiration from the uniquely Filipino tradition of repeating names and nicknames, reflecting the group's desire to connect with local audiences.

“We really want to connect with the people from the Philippines kasi po we have members from across other countries and chose to stay in the Philippines. And, for us po who stay in the country, gusto po namin ipakita po sa kanila na muli silang ibalik sa roots po natin, sa Filipino culture,” Ada said.

Ada also reflected on the journey that led them to debut, adding: “As young Filipinas, we have these huge dreams and to be given the opportunity na pursue po namin siya, na-e-enjoy po namin every moment kahit po mahirap and napapagod. Wala pong napapagod sa amin if gusto mo ginagawa mo kaya thankful po kami sa management po namin.”

Alongside their introduction, the group also released their debut novelty single, “Telebong,” inspired by the classic Filipino childhood game.

For the members, the song serves as both a celebration of nostalgia and a tribute to their roots.

“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 ginustuhan namin magperform, but bumabalik din po kami sa roots po namin kaya ganito po yung lyrics sa (Telebong),” Jhamyka told PUSH ABS-CBN.

She added, “Yung song po na ganito is parang is a tribute po kung saan kami nanggagaling and we want to give justice po na yung talents po na from our ancestors (was passed to us).”

Dina also shared that the group hopes the song will resonate with audiences across different generations. “Other than being a Pinoy-inspired, gusto rin po namin makaconnect, hindi lang po sa Gen Zs, but with other generations din po through music para po sila maenjoy.”

The track is accompanied by a vibrant music video that highlights the song's playful energy while showcasing the members' individual personalities.

For group leader Jessie, embracing their differences is one of MEI MEI's greatest strengths.

“What makes us different is that we don't stick with one personality because we have different (characters) and that's what makes us MEI MEI po. We really also have a strong focus sa storytelling po through Filipino lens po,” she expressed.

The group hopes to contribute to the continued rise of P-pop while sharing Filipino stories.

“For now, po, honestly, our main goal is to share our music and what we want to represent, which is young Filipinas. Super proud po kami sa Filipino culture namin and we want to use this platform po to share our stories. That's our goal for now. Baby steps po muna, but in the future we have this big dream to share our talent and music as well as the Filipino pride internationally,” Jessie told PUSH ABS-CBN.