Visayan idols are nothing new in P-pop. For instance, SB19’s Ken incorporates Bisaya (Cebuano) lyrics into the group’s releases like “Crimzone,” as well as his solo hits “Palayo” and “Mictest.” BINI’s Colet and Aiah are also a proudly Bisaya duo.
ALAMAT’s R-Ji hails from Samar in Eastern Visayas, while fellow member Alas is from Davao, the latter debuting with his Bisaya-English-Tagalog single “Don’t Play.”
Many of P-pop’s standout soloists, including Vivoree, Maymay Entrata, and Karencitta, are Bisaya as well. They have always been part of the industry. But as P-pop artists embrace their roots more openly, it’s fascinating to see a new wave of Bisaya artists step into the spotlight. Here are a few Bisaya rookies you should know:
VLST
VLST (pronounced “Vlast”) is an all-Cebuano boy band that debuted on May 17, 2025 with the hip-hop track “Barugi” (“Stand Up”). The song’s empowering lyrics were written in a mix of Bisaya and English by the group themselves.
The five members, Aeron, Zyman, Markeu, Gemen, and Gab, are all in their early 20s. “Barugi” went on to win Best Regional Song at the 10th PPOP Awards on November 29, 2025.
Rain Celmar
Born on November 29, 2006, Rainah Jenn Flores Celmar, better known as Rain, may have lost the Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 top prize to Fyang, but that hasn’t stopped the Cebuana from thriving.
On May 30, she released her debut EP b luvd. Its final track, “pahuway,” is a pop-rock ballad featuring stunning belts by Rain, who performed both the lead and backing vocals. She also co-wrote the Bisaya-English lyrics.
Rain has also dipped her toes into acting. She has appeared in several music videos, including Zack Tabudlo’s “Manloloko,” alongside fellow PBB Gen 11 alum Kolette Madelo. In June, she portrayed Olivia Alcantara in the acclaimed drama series Love at First Spike. For now, however, she appears to be focusing on her P-pop career.
On her 19th birthday, Rain was unveiled as one of Star Hunt Academy (SHA)’s new idol trainees. SHA is the program behind BINI and BGYO, a fitting move, considering she’s already racking up accolades for her music. On October 22, she was nominated for Favorite Solo Artist at the 38th Awit Awards. On December 3, she was also announced as an Aliw Awards nominee in the category Best New Artist – Female.
Kai Montinola
Kai Montinola is another Cebuana gem from PBB Gen 11. Her screen career has been flourishing. In June, she impressed viewers with her natural acting prowess in her first lead role in Maalaala Mo Kaya’s “Makeup” episode. She’s also making waves as Isabella “Ice” Mercado in the ongoing action series Roja, and as Rizza in the Cinemalaya entry Child No. 82.
Her music, however, is equally deserving of attention. Kai, who turns 19 on December 12, was hands-on with her debut album Kaileidoscope. The album opens with the Bisaya track “Hay Naku,” an upbeat yet elegant song, words that also describe Kai herself. She carries an air of sophistication beyond her years, balanced by a bright, youthful energy.
Armed with a sharp artistic eye and a rich singing voice, Kai’s pop star journey is shaping up to be one for the books. Case in point: just six months after Kaileidoscope was released, its track “For You” earned a nomination for Wish Ballad Song of the Year at the 11th Wish Music Awards.
Vispop rise?
The lines between regional and mainstream pop are beginning to blur. In some ways, this is a good thing: P-pop boasts a much larger and more dedicated fanbase than Vispop. In other ways, it may not be, one could argue that Bisaya representation in P-pop is often diluted compared to purely regional songs, sometimes limited to just a few words. For example, the Waray rap in VVINK’s “Baduy” lasts for only a short verse.
Time will tell what the long-term effects of this merging between Vispop and P-pop will be. Still, it’s exciting to see these talented young newcomers gain recognition in P-pop in 2025.
