By: Aliahcorr Balanon
Photo: PPOP Music and Culture Caravan Facebook Page Julia Iris Eguillano, Maverick Rhoy De Vera /The LANCE
P-pop Tourism Fiesta 2025 took place at the Foro de Intramuros and Centro de Intramuros on Oct. 3, featuring academic competitions, cultural workshops and a P-pop concert. The one-day event united students of Intramuros, artists, and cultural advocates under one celebration of Filipino Identity.
TOURISM EXPO
The festivities opened at the Foro de Intramuros at 8:00 a.m., spearheaded by the Intramuros Administration. In her opening remarks, Ms. Rhea Kristine Cy, Head of Tourism Promotions, inspired the crowd with her message of passion and responsibilities.
“You are here today to celebrate the excellence of your people in creating opportunities for the next generation to start their career and to represent the Philippine tourism houses. We are here to witness their talent, their passion, and their commitment,” Cy said.
Three Intramuros school based: Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL), Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), and Lyceum of the Philippines (LPU), competed in various competition such as Tour Guiding, Event Planning, Travel Infographics, and Travel Vlogging to showcase the tourism within Intramuros and also to nurture the future of the Philippine travel industry.
Letran Tourism students made an impressive showing, securing multiple podium finishes in the access categories.
Tour Guiding Competition, 1st Runner-up
Ralph Justin Jamias
Event Planning Competition, 2nd Runner-up
Rom Joseph Garcia
Kyra Shania Ribaya
Travel Infographics Competition, 1st Runner-up
Irene Manalo
Aira Sapio
Travel Vlogging Competition, 2nd Runner-up
Louis Daniel Lalusis
Jannalyn Guiyab
Meriel Ann Villegas
Ace Keanu Villaluna
Jamias, who represented the Colegio in the Tour Guiding category, shared how the event strengthened his cultural and personal growth.
“Events like this help us to… sa amin, we can practice ourselves more, yung skills namin, expertise in categories. Katulad nung akin, napa-practice ko yung skills ko. In terms of culture and heritage, we're getting exposed. Nae-expose kami sa other cultures pa,”
He also shared that after the postponement of the competition due to the weather condition allowed their team to polish their performances with the guidance of their coaches, Miss Janel, Tourism Management Chairperson and Miss Jewel, one of their instructors.
WORKSHOPS
Meanwhile, at the Centro de Intramuros, attendees immersed themselves in cultural workshops: Indak (Dance) at 9:00 a.m., Baybayin (Writing) at 11:00 a.m., Tunog (Music) at 1:00 p.m., and Moda (Fashion) at 2:00 p.m.
The Indak workshop led by Sophia by KAIA, shared that P-Pop is a space where tradition meets innovation.
“I think P-pop talaga is a good outlet. Not just P-pop— even OPM in general is a good outlet for Filipinos to showcase yung talent natin with both dancing and singing,” she added.
The Baybayin and Moda workshops, led by Mr. Jaime Hernandez Jr.and Ms. Rica May Alcanzo respectively brought attention to language and clothing as a living testament to Filipino Identity, while Tunog by Talahib People's Music offered a fusion of traditional Filipino instruments with modern beats.
At the end, attendees rediscovered the culture and pride of the Philippines’ cultural roots.
BATTLE OF THE SCHOOL BANDS
A competition of school bands between Over the Counter from Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), Lunar Eyes from Lyceum University of the Philippines (LPU), Jadeville from MAPUA University (MU), and Letran Band from Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL), rocked the stage at the Foro de Intramuros.
The Letran Band consisted of Kim Aurell Cambronero (Lead Guitarist), Rylee Josh Lacsamana (Drummer), Carl Vizcara (Rhythm Guitarist), Marxon Brent Toscano (Keyboardist), Chance Cruz, and Julieanna Marie Soliman (Vocalist).
The competition was opened by the Letran Band with the song Tatsulok by Bamboo, and transitioned to Upuan by Gloc-9 as part of the mash-up performance. They used this platform to raise social awareness that is timely in regards with the recent issues of corruption.
In an interview with The LANCE, the band shared that their journey to the stage was not easy as the members did not come from one single band. Rather, they came from different organizations pulled together to fill in the need for a representative in the competition.
“Kami kasi, we're from different organizations. Like for example, our lead guitarist is from [Letran Junior Marketing Association] LJMA. Our singer is from Letran Singing Ambassadors (LSA). Parang hindi siya totally prepared talaga na, “Ah may banda,” Rylee Josh Lacsamana, the drummer of the banda said.
As per Julieanna, their performance is an opportunity to showcase the talents of Cultural and Performing Group (CPAG) of Letran.
“Siguro, this is an opportunity for us to showcase naman yung talent. Yung mga cultural orgs ng Letran, and by joining this competition, by singing in a band, napapakita namin lalo na dito sa mga schools sa Intramuros na mayroong taga-Letran na magaling tumugtog, na kayang tumugtog ng magagandang musika. Hindi lang tayo school of sports, we are school of arts,”
Kim added how the platform helped to give the band an opportunity to reach a larger audience. “So yung external exposure kasi ng band is medyo limited, let's say it na lang. Makakatulong talaga yung gantong platform to reach our visibility, yung reach ng Letran Band. But at the same time, nasho-showcase yung talent ng band and parang mas na-improve din yung communication and reach. ‘Di lang ng Letran Band, kundi yung Letran to its domain.”
When the results were announced, Letran claimed the 1st Runner-up spot, while Jadeville from MAPUA University took the Championship.
P-POP CONCERT
The festivities concluded with a P-POP Concert with performances by VIVID, Hakki, NEW:ID, 1ST.ONE, HORI7ON and KAIA.
The event was opened by VIVID, a two-month old girl group who performed their two songs entitled, “Redflags” and “Salon Overload.” They saw this performance as an opportunity because despite being newly formed, they are often invited to be part of the P-POP Caravan.
“Siguro it’s very important for us to perform in this kind of platform kasi it serves as training ground also kasi baguhan pa lang kami. 2 months pa lang kami talagang magkakakilala and 2 months pa lang kaming nagte-train. So itong mga ganito, super laking opportunity para sa amin kasi naipapakita pa rin namin yung mga na-train na namin through these. And we're very very honored, we're very very happy na lagi kami– di man lagi, pero madalas na-iinvite sa P-POP Caravan like this,” shared by VIVID’s main vocalist, Claire, during a short interview.
Following them was Hakki, a female solo performer who brought a strong presence through her song cover performance with TJ Monterde’s song entitled, “Palagi.”
NEW:ID continued the concert. Their leader, Thad, said performing inside Intramuros carried meaning for them as it symbolized Filipino culture and history blending with modern music.
“Okay, syempre sobrang privilege kami kasi maraming students na nanood all around universities of Intramuros. Grabe, sobrang historic place nito and I know well-educated ang mga students dito kaya for us, its really an honor na makapag-voice out kami lalo sa mga social issues na nararanasan natin. More than the performance, it's really our mission to promote what's best for the Philippines.”
By the time 1ST.ONE appeared, who represented the country twice this year in ASEAN Korean Round Festival and Music Matters Live Singapore, fans waved their banners and screamed every lyric.
Their rapper, Alpha, said that their goal is not only to entertain but also to connect with the younger generation in response when asked about how important it is for them to perform at such an event.
“Well of course, yung aim namin is ma-inspire yung youth and at the same time, ma-enjoy nila yung life nila through music. Kasi, alam mo naman yung mga new generation ngayon, maraming pinagdadaanan, lalo na through social media. So, gusto namin maging voice, gusto namin maging inspiration sa mga pamamaraan ng pagkanta namin, lalo na yung new song namin, which is yung MYV, maraming lost history, lost culture,” he said.
Max, their main vocalist, also discussed how P-POP stands out while taking influence from other genres. “Kapag kami yung gumagawa, nilalagyan namin nang sarili naming style. Para alam nila na, Ah, first one itong gumawa. Kasi doon parang nadi-differentiate pa rin,”
After their performance, HORI7ON, who have gained recognition both locally and internationally, took the stage. Marcus, their Maknae-Vocalist shared that they really wanted to perform in the Philippines as they were able to do school attacks in Korea.
“We wanted to do when we arrived back here in the Philippines was to do school attack here as well, and it's definitely a dream come true for us now that we're able to do that,” Marcus shared.
Their leader, Vinci, also congratulated their P-POP classmates”KAIA, as their song ‘Tanga’ had been nominated for the Song of the Year (SOTY).
“Yung isa rin naming naka-close because of being P-POP classmates with, is KAIA. So, from back 2 years ago, since our debut, they've been supporting us and we've been supporting them. And I think recently, they've been nominated for Song of the Year, so, congratulations to them.”
The concert closed with the all-female group KAIA performing their recently nominated song, “Tanga,” as well as their single, “Dalawa.”
The group expressed their appreciation for being part of the event, emphasizing how platforms like P-POP Music and Culture Caravan (PMCC) help them introduce their music.
“This is very important kasi ito yung nagbibigay samin ng way para mas makilala yung P-POP, yung music namin. And we're very thankful to PMCC for always inviting us and for having us here,” said Angela, the group’s leader.
Beyond performing, Charlotte, the rapper-dancer of the group noted how the workshops in PMCC gave participants the opportunity to engage with Filipino culture more deeply.
“Aside sa pagpeperform sa ganitong audience, like the students and such, may mga workshops din masi sa PMCC, sa event na ito. Parang nagkakaroon ng opportunity yung mga students na sumasali na matuto– maaral yung culture.”
Meanwhile, Charice, the rapper of the group, highlighted the importance of promoting Filipino Identity which lies in their storytelling,believing that they are not just promoting their own music, but the culture of the Philippines as well.
For Sophia, their group's authenticity as an artist comes naturally as they strive to remain true to themselves both on and off stage. She also mentioned that they are thankful for their fans as the shared connection is built on a sense of family which makes their performance more meaningful.
Alexa also explained that their use of modern trends in music comes from how they apply technicalities, instruments and how they are using recorders. She said that their Filipino culture naturally reflects in how they express themselves through music.
Overall, the festivities showcased the culture of the Philippines through every performance and activity. It reflected how music, art, and education can come together to celebrate both tradition and innovation.