The UK has The Saturdays, and Mutya Keisha Siobhan, and Little Mix.
Korea has Girls Generation and 2NE1 (among many others).
And the Philippines? Well, we do not have a girl group. We used to have La Diva, a trio composed of solo singers who decided to team up and blow away with their perfect harmonies: Jonalyn Viray, Aicelle Sanots, and Maricris Perez. But they have sadly disbanded. Which leaves is to the sad reality that the Philippines has no girl group.
To think that we have a lot of pretty and talented singers.
To commemorate this absence of local girl group, we bring you a list of fabulous ones from the past, all of them no longer together.
Foj/Vanna Vanna
Hit songs: “Hurting Inside,” “So Much In Love,” “I Need Your Love,” and “He Loves Me”
Members: (Check out) Benj, Alana, and Teri
Why they rocked: These girls had solid harmonies and great personalities, making them the benchmark for all other Pinoy girl groups
Where they are now: Teri is happily married to a pastor and lives in the US. We’re not so sure about Benj and Alana.
Fruitcake
Hit songs: “Whoops Kirri” and, well, the new version of “Whoops Kirri”
Members: Rhea Ferrer, Jel Aquino, Anne Jomeo
Why they rocked: They are our local version of Cleopatra. Remember Cleopatra? Here’s a refresher:
Where they are now: Two of the Fruitcake girls recently performed their hit song on Gandang Gabi Vice, where they explained that the other member, Rhea, is now a flight attendant of Emirates Airlines in Dubai UAE
Vibe
Hit songs: “Hooked on You” and “Ipagdarasal Ko”
Members: Arnee Hidalgo, Biv de Vera, and Girlie Capulso
Why they rocked: They were supposed to be the next FOJ/Vanna Vanna but with a more R&B sound. However, they produced just one album.
Where they are now: Arnee and Biv moved on and became solo singers, but it’s been a while since we last heard from either. Arnee is the sister of singer Jeffrey Hidalgo. She did some cover songs. Our favorite is her R&B version of Francis Magalona’s “Cold Summer Nights.” Watch:
Oh, and her Beyonce-fied version of Spandau Ballet’s “True,” too:
Novia
Hit songs: “Mga Babae,” “Something Always Brings Me Back To You,” and “Dahan Dahan Lang”
Members: Michelle Ligunas, Alma Ferrer, Jade Precious Cifra, Jolicel Castro
Why they rocked: They had great songs such as the girl power anthem “Mga Babae,” the Janet Jackson-inspired “Dahan Dahan Lang,” and the super cool “Something Always Brings Me Back To You”
Where they are now: No idea.
WYRD
Hit songs: “Scream,” “Don’t You Ever Go Away,” and “Dreams I Like”
Members: Nikka Paloma (vocals), Babes Tolentino (guitars), Jelly Pangan (drums)
Why they rocked: Technically a girl band and not a girl group, they proved that not all girl groups had to sing R&B and that it pays to have original songs. Back in 2000, they were very young when they broke into the music scene, and were considered a local and female version of Hanson (remember them?). They even won MTV Asia’s The Next Big Thing search. Odiba?
Where they are now: Nikka is now married and her FB says she is with Fox International Channels and Discovery Channel. Jelly looks like she already has a son, based on her FB account. We couldn’t find Babes.
Fatal Posporos
Hit songs: “Sili Song” and “Coco Boy Goodnight”
Members: Kris Gorra, Donna Macalino, and Annette Ortiz
Why they rocked: Another girl band, they were considered by some as the female version of the Eraserheads. Their songs were very catchy and addicting and relatable and fun.
Where they are now: Last time we checked, Kris was part of Cambio, Annette was part of a viral video (she was playing “Master of Puppets” on her wedding day), and Donna’s already a mom.
Eurasia
Hit song: “Working Girls”
Members: Lana Roi, Gail Nicolas, Kelly Gamboa, Sara Polverini (as in the one who won Century Tuna Superbods), and Kristine Nieto
Why they rocked: They were some sort of a local version of Pussycat Dolls since all the girls could sing and dance. They were also a sight to behold since most members were half-Pinay and half, well, European. Exert some extra effort and find their album somewhere. You won’t regret it because each song is amazing; there’s no filler there.
Where they are now: We’re too lazy to do some Google researching, but we do remember lead singer Lana Roi joining Bb. Pilipinas last 2013 (as Theresa Fenger), and backing out before getting disqualified because of posing sexy for FHM in 2010.
Viva Hot Babes
Hit songs: “Bulaklak,” and “Basketbol”
Members: A whole bunch, including Maui Taylor, Katya Santos, Andrea del Rosario, Gwen Garci, Sheree, and Asia Agcaoili
Why they rocked: They had songs that induced LSS, crazy dance steps that were hilarious (steps that you once practiced in front of the bathroom mirror), and LOL-inducing music videos.
Where they are now: Too many babes, but it’s interesting to note that some of them are now mothers (Katya, Andrea, Sheree, Asia)
Who is YOUR favorite girl group?
