MEI MEI brings Filipino-coded pop to OPM scene

OPM girl group MEI MEI is consisting of eight members representing different personalities of a Filipina

A name can say a lot about a musical group. For newly debuted OPM girl group MEI MEI, it points to something familiar, playful, and rooted in Filipino culture.

The eight-member act made its official debut recently, introducing members Alexa, Jhamayka, Ada, Aerise, Thea, Jessie, Yuni, and Dina under Groovy Garden Records, the new label under PULP Group.

During the launch, the group performed its debut single “Telebong,” premiered its music video, and gave the media a closer look at the concept behind its name and music.

“MEI MEI is very Filipino-coded,” Jhamayka said, explaining that the name was inspired by the local habit of repeating names and nicknames, such as Jan-Jan, Che-Che, and May-May.

“We wanted it to be instantly relatable, familiar and personal to Filipinos. When you hear MEI MEI, we want it to feel like home,“ she added.

The group’s name, inspired by Filipino naming conventions, aims to evoke familiarity and relatability 

The sense of familiarity runs through “Telebong,” a novelty-pop track that draws from Filipino dance music while adding a Gen Z spin.

PULP Group CEO Happee Sy-Go, who wrote the song specifically for the group, said she wanted to introduce the members through a sound that different generations could enjoy.

“My source of joy is classic Filipino novelty dancing. Every time I hear it, I feel light and happy. So that’s the route I wanted to go. I told the girls, ‘This was our music before,’ and they added their input to make it Gen Z,“ Sy-Go told Manila Standard Entertainment.

The members said the song became a way to honor where they came from while introducing themselves as young Filipinas.

“It’s a tribute to where we came from. We want to give justice to the talents passed down to us by our ancestors. Hindi tayo basta Pinoy lang, Pilipino tayo,“ Jhamayka shared.

MEI MEI also leans on the members’ different personalities. The group introduced official personas, including Spark MEI MEI, Cool MEI MEI, Dolly MEI MEI, Sweet MEI MEI, Princess MEI MEI, Power MEI MEI, Groovy MEI MEI, and Diva MEI MEI.

MEI MEI makes its debut with the single ‘Telebong’ under Groovy Garden Records 

“We don’t stick to one image or personality. We all have different personalities, and that is what makes us MEI MEI. It’s our individuality,“ Dina explained.

For the members, the debut also marks the result of months of training and adjustment, including living together and building what they described as sisterhood.

“We learned sisterhood through our training. Not only our skills grew, but also the bond that we have now,“ said Jessie, the group’s leader.

She added the group’s immediate goal is simple: to share their music and represent young Filipinas.

“We want to use this platform to share our individual stories. Baby steps, but in the future, we have this big dream to share our talent, music and Filipino pride internationally,“ she stated.

The group is also preparing its debut EP “HELLO PO,” with “Telebong” as its carrier single. More tracks, including “Filipina” and “Sinta,” were teased during the launch. — Angelica Villanueva