After almost two years since their debut, BILIB are ready for greater heights.

The up-and-coming P-pop boy group emerged onto the scene back in July 2023, making a fierce first impression with their fiery debut single “KABANATA.” Since then, the septet — composed of Yukito, Zio, Jmac, RC, Clyde, Carlo, and Rafael — have been on a whirlwind of a journey, filled with challenges that have tested and transformed them into better artists and performers.

The group winning P-Pop Potential special award at the 2024 PPOP Music Awards last December not only recognizes their immense capacity and capabilities as one of P-pop up-and-coming acts, it also proves that they’re meant for even greater things to come. And such greater things are presenting themselves already, as BILB served as the representatives the Filipino music scene, alongside labelmate Zéla, at the first ever Waterbomb Manila last February 22 and 23, 2025.

Ahead of their performance last weekend, Billboard Philippines sat down with the members of BILIB to talk about their “rollercoaster” journey and new music on the way, as well as have them share never-before-heard fun facts about themselves and more.

Courtesy of @bilib_official

Billboard Philippines: 2025 will mark two years since the official debut of BILIB as a group. With that, how would you describe your journey so far? 

Yukito: I think the best word to describe our journey is, para siyang (it’s like a) “rollercoaster” and right now, ito na ‘yung paakyat na part (this is the part where we’re going up). [It was] difficult din (also) for us, ‘cause we had to sacrifice a lot kaya (which is why), ngayon (now), we’re so excited for this ride and where it will take us.

In relation to the last question, I’m sure the group has had a lot of favorite moments and achievements throughout your career so far. If you were to pick one of these highlights, which ones would be your favorite and why?

Zio: Para sa akin, nung nagsisimula pa lang kami at kinikilala pa lang namin ang isa’t isa — nung nag-te-training kami para sa debut namin. Para sa akin ‘yun ‘yung best part.

(For me, it’s when we were just starting out and getting to know one another – when we were training for our debut. For me, that’s the best part.)

Yukito: Basically, nung pre-debut [era] namin. Lahat ng excitement, lahat ng questions, lahat ng dreams, parang, doon nagsimula. Ang daming naming ni-look forward na mangyayari. Iba ‘yung excitement! 

(Basically, during our pre-debut era. All the excitement, all the questions, all the dreams. That was where it all began. We were looking forward to a lot of things. The excitement was something else!)

Courtesy of @bilib_official

Speaking of highlights, how does it feel to be part of the first ever Waterbomb Manila and to share the stage with all these talented and influential artists from South Korea?

RC: Actually, a lot of emotions talaga ‘yung naramdaman namin, especially nung in-announce sa amin na kasama kami sa lineup. At the same time, we felt pressured because we’re going open the second day [of the festival]. Aside sa naka-lineup kami, kasama namin ‘yung biggest stars sa South Korean industry. Kami rin ‘yung mag-re-represent ng OPM. Sobrang nakaka-pressure pero at the same time, sobrang thankful namin sa opportunity. Gagawin namin ‘yung best namin!

(Actually, we felt a lot of emotions, especially when it was announced to us that we were part of the lineup. At the same time, we felt pressured because we’re going open the second day [of the festival]. Aside from us being on the lineup, we’re sharing it with the biggest stars from the South Korean industry. We’re also the ones who will represent OPM. There’s a lot of pressure but at the same time, we’re so thankful for the opportunity. We will do our best!

Yukito: Actually, nung nilabas ‘yung unang teaser ng Waterbomb Manila, sinabi namin, “Parang gusto namin manood nyan! Sino kaya ‘yung mga lalabas na artists?” Tapos bigla na lang sinabi nila sa amin, “O, handa na ba kayong mag-perform dyan?”

(Actually, when the first teaser for Waterbomb Manila came out, we said, “We want to watch that! Who could the artists appearing be?” Then we were suddenly told, “Are you ready to perform there?”)

Siyempre, hindi kami makapaniwala! Kaya nung nakita na namin ‘yung official announcement [that we’re part of the lineup], [it was a] big plot twist! Kaya gagawin talaga namin ‘yung best namin!

(Of course, we couldn’t believe it! So, when we saw the official announcement that we’re part of the lineup, it was a big plot twist! So that’s why we’ll really do our best!)

For those who have yet to discover BILIB and your music, if you were to recommend one of your songs for them to listen to, which would it be and why?

Rafael: For me, “KABANATA” – ‘yung debut single namin. Kasi doon namin naipakita ‘yung hardships namin from the first chapter [of our journey]. Doon naipakita ‘yung simula ng story namin.

(For me, “KABANATA” — our debut single. Because that’s where we showcased our hardships from the first chapter of our journey. That’s where we showed the start of our story.)

Carlo: For me, “SAY WHATCHA WANNA SAY.” Ngayon kasi, sa social media, ang daming naapektuhan [negatively] and nahihiya sila ipakita kung sino talaga sila. And “SAY WHATCHA WANNA SAY,” kanta siya about ‘yung sabihin mo lang ‘yung gusto mong sabihin. Strong statement siya na, “Kaya mo yan, gawin mo lang, at you do you.”

(For me, “SAY WHATCHA WANNA SAY.” Because, nowadays, on social media, there are a lot who are negatively affected and are ashamed to show their true selves. And “SAY WHATCHA WANNA SAY,” it’s a song about you just saying what you really want to say. It’s a strong statement that say, “You’ve got this, just do it, and you do you.”)

Jmac: Ako, personally, “SAY WHATCHA WANNA SAY” din kasi ine-encourage ‘nya ‘yung people to do what they want, na ‘wag nilang pansinin ‘yung sinasabing negative ng ibang tao.

(For me, personally, “SAY WHATCHA WANNA SAY” as well because it encourages people to do what they want, for them to not mind the negative things other people are saying about them.)

RC: Ako, same with Rafael, “KABANATA.” Gusto ko siya ipakinig, especially, sa mga tao na first time kami mapapakinggan kasi doon po nagsimula lahat. At same time, kung gusto kong ipakilala ‘yung group ko, doon po makikita ‘yung mga individual characteristics and struggles namin and, at the same time, paano namin nalampasan sila.

(For me, same with Rafael, “KABANATA.” I want to recommend it to other people, especially to those who will listen to for the first time because that’s where we started. At same time, if I want to introduce my group, that’s where one can see our individual characteristics and struggles and, at the same time, how we overcame them.)

Zio: Ako, “KABANATA,” kasi mas tumatak siya sa akin kasi, ‘yung mga nangyayari sa buhay ko bago ako maging [part] ng BILIB, doon ko lahat naibuhos. 

(For me, “KABANATA,” because it was the one that really left a big impression on me because, the things that we’re happening in my life before I joined BILIB, that’s where I poured all of them out.)

Yukito: If I had to recommend one of our songs para mapakilala ‘yung BILIB, hindi ko pa masasabi kasi i-pe-perform pa lang namin siya sa Waterbomb Manila (laughs). Once mapanood siya ng mga fans, hopefully it will speak sa mga puso nila.

(If I had to recommend one of our songs to introduce BILIB, I can’t mention it yet because we’re just about perform it at Waterbomb Manila. Once the fans see it, hopefully it will speak to their hearts.)

Courtesy of @bilib_official

In the spirit of getting to know you even better, for each member, what is one fun fact about yourself that your fans probably don’t know about yet?

Yukito: As a group, one fun fact is dapat ang pangalan ng group namin is AQ7! Because this was actually [our label] AQ Prime’s first venture into music and we’re their first P-pop group!

(As a group, one fun fact is our group name was supposed to be AQ7! Because this was actually [our label] AQ Prime’s first venture into music and we’re their first P-pop group!)

Jmac: Ako po, one fun fact ang nakaisip po ng pangalan ko as “Jmac” was si kuya Zio. Ang daming options dati (laughs)! Pero ayun, naging Jmac!

(For me, one fun fact, the one who came up with my stage name as “Jmac” was Zio. There were a lot of options before. But there, it became Jmac!)

Rafael: I don’t post much about the things I like to do, like music production. But I mix and master, I record for other people and artists na friends ko, and I write songs din!

(I don’t post much about the things I like to do, like music production. But I mix and master, I record for other people and artists who are my friends, and I write songs as well!)

Courtesy of @bilib_official

Zio: Sa akin naman, kaya ko tumapos ng isang K-drama series nang isang upuan. Nang walang hinto!

(As for me, I can finish an entire K-drama series in one sitting. With no breaks!)

RC: Ako po, kapag nasa mood talaga ako kumain, kaya ko pong umubos ng isang kaldero ng kanin (laughs).

(For me, when I’m really in the mood to eat, I can finish an entire pot of rice!)

Yukito: Ako, mahilig ako sa Pokemon cards! Even nung elementary pa ako. Tapos one day na lang, meron na akong three boxes ng Pokemon cards. Dumami na lang bigla (laughs)!

(For me, I like Pokemon cards! Even when I was still in elementary. Then one day, all of a suddent, I had three boxes worth of Pokemon cards. They suddenly multiplied!)

Carlo: Ako po, kapag wala kaming training or events, nag-wo-work po ako sa production. Like, nung Katseye! Nag-work ako doon and nag-stage direct ako. Siyempre, dahil part ako ng industry, gusto ko matutunan ‘yung ginagawa sa likod ng stage. Challenging siya, ‘yung pressure. So, simula nung ginawa ko ‘yun, sobrang daming learnings.

(For me, when we don’t have any training or events, I work in production. Like, when Katseye were here! I worked there and I stage directed. Of course, because I’m part of this industry, I want to learn what happens backstage. It’s challenging, the pressure of it. So, ever since I did that, I’ve gained so many learnings.)

Finally, what can we expect from BILIB this 2025?

Yukito: This coming 2025, more songs. Gusto namin i-challenge ‘yung musicality namin, so expect some plot twists when it comes to BILIB. We also aim na mas maging fun ‘yung journey namin. We offer it to our family, our friends, our fans, and kapwa P-pop idols namin!

(This coming 2025, more songs. We want to challenge our musicality, so expect some plot twists when it comes to BILIB. We also aim to make our journey more fun. We offer it to our family, our friends, our fans, and our fellow P-pop idols.)

Listen to BILIB’s latest single “Hindi Ka Bibitawan” below:

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.