When you wish upon the stars, it makes no difference who you are. Yet sometimes, despite what your heart desires, judgment can come to those who dare to dream beyond.
“Fans will never reach their idols. Idols are as unreachable as the stars.”
For so long, the pop industry has been dominated by foreign influences—from Western pop to the cultural wave Korea brought through the Hallyu phenomenon. Over the years, it has steadily claimed space, captivating the ears, eyes, and hearts of Filipinos across the archipelago. Though the distances were vast, these influences seeped deep into our cores—and from them, a new sprout began to blossom: P-Pop.
With vibrant visuals, creative choreography, and magnetic music, Filipino pride has reached an all-time high, topping global charts and Billboard rankings across the world. Especially with music being more accessible than ever, groups like SB19 and BINI have emerged as the new faces of this era. Filipino music, made by Filipino artists, for the Filipino people—this is the vision P-Pop strives for. It embraces challenging yet thoughtful changes to strike a balance between global appeal and cultural authenticity.
On one hand, it aims to reach a broader, multicultural audience; on the other, it strives to remain rooted in heritage—growing authentically while still showing its roots. The use of the Filipino language significantly supports the latter, serving as a driving force behind what makes P-Pop unique. Even as it breaks barriers, P-Pop never loses sight of its identity, creating a deeply meaningful experience for its own citizens.
And yet, P-Pop hasn’t always been well-received. In truth, it still struggles for full acceptance—even among fellow Filipinos. Groups that have dared to step outside traditional OPM genres filled with ballads or rap have faced backlash. Perhaps this stems from resistance to change, or from remnants of colonial mentality. Many critics reduce P-Pop to a copycat of K-pop, accusing it of mimicking the same aesthetics while falling short in terms of quality. Despite having a different language, audience, and cultural context, P-Pop is criticized for not meeting global standards—especially in terms of visuals and image.
This reveals deeper challenges like colorism, cultural comparison, and a glaring lack of local support for artists trying to shine on the international stage. All this while foreign influences continue to receive more praise and attention than homegrown talent.
“Hindi totoong Pop ang P-Pop.”
“Gaya-gaya lang ‘yan sa Korea.”
“Maasim.”
“Jejemon.”
“Cringe.”
“Nakakahiya. Hindi bagay.”
“Hindi naman pogi.”
“Hindi naman siya maganda.”
These are just some of the harsh statements that P-Pop has had to face—often from people who barely know the genre, or who can’t distinguish it from other types of pop in the first place.
Still, the fact remains: P-Pop is ours. Music is a universal language that transcends borders. Artists inspire one another across cultures. And while it’s true that P-Pop drew inspiration from South Korean systems—especially through training rooted in K-pop models—we must also remember that K-pop itself borrowed from Western influences. These labels—K-pop, J-pop, P-pop—weren’t created to divide but to categorize and celebrate. They identify artists, not isolate them.
P-Pop artists are now stepping confidently onto the global stage, claiming space by embedding their own stories and culture into their craft. Through this, they’ve developed their own methods of expressing love, identity, and nationalism—while also highlighting tropes unique to the Filipino setting. Take Alamat, for example: a group that integrates regional dialects, celebrates local pride, and visually honors Filipino heritage in their music videos and costumes (see “Dagundong” and “ABKD”).
Still, even when songs deeply resonate, a perceived distance lingers—a gap between idols and EveryJuan. There’s fear around deeper interaction and a lack of resources to make those connections real. But today, that starry distance may be closer than we think—thanks to JuanCast.
JuanCast is a platform that gives everyone a choice. Young or old, rich or not, users can cast votes—represented by stars—to support their favorite artists. These stars can be purchased, or earned by watching ads, making engagement accessible to all. This allows fans to connect with the wider community and even opens up the chance to see their idols on-screen—or meet them in real life.
P-Pop is a brilliant sun, made up of collective stars rising higher every day. But without the sparks to fuel it, even the brightest flames can burn out. That’s why consistent support—whether from fans or platforms—is essential. And that’s where JuanCast steps in, providing creative and accessible ways to nurture the industry.
P-Pop is rising—and it will keep rising, glowing brighter as it pushes toward the cosmos, pulling EveryJuan into its orbit. And someday soon, it might just take your hand, reach into your heart, and guide you to the stars.
