fter signing their contract with ABS-CBN, three members of the group MNL48—namely Abby Trinidad, Sheki Arzaga, and Sela Guia—faced the press to express their gratitude after getting a warm welcome from the Kapamilya network.

MNL48, who signed with Star Music after their stint on It’s Showtime, revealed that exciting adventures lie ahead of them now that they are officially part of the ABS-CBN network.

“Sobrang thankful po kami and honored na maging part ng ABS-CBN talaga. Parang dati, dream lang namin ‘to. And ngayon, nangyayari na po siya. And super excited po kami na ma-experience ‘yung mga future na mangyayari sa MNL48 with ABS-CBN,” one of the members said.

Meanwhile, MNL48 said they feel thankful to be recognized as an idol group in the Philippines.

“I guess bawat grupo naman po may kanya-kanyang characteristics and weakness and strengths. Kaya naman we’re very glad kasi na-rerecognize na po kami ng Philippines as like really an idol group such as MOMOLAND and BLACKPINK. But we’re not trying to be K-Pop,” stated one of the members.

Then again, the girls dismissed the comparisons made between them and the girls of MOMOLAND.

“There’s no comparison between the two naman po. And kasi different goals naman. We have that one goal - to make other people happy and inspire sa performance namin. And mapakita ‘yung pagka-Pinay and kung paano po ‘yung Pinoy and ‘yung song na Pilipino,” another member of MNL48 said.

Now ready to conquer the world stage, MNL48 said they want to put the spotlight on local music.

“We’re utterly ready. Ito na ‘yun. Mamahalin na kami ng Pilipinas. We’re so excited na mapapakita na ng MNL48 ang talent ng isang Pilipino. We’re finally here to open the doors for them para makita po na nila ‘yung world namin. We’re not just about the J-Pop world. We’re about the Filipino touch. Music, for me, wala po siyang barrier dapat. OPM not just in the Philippines, but outside the country but also Asia and Western countries,” she said.

The girls also said that the show will still push through. But this time, it will be held in a different place after Star Theater, the original venue, was hit by fire recently.

“We’re still planning po kung saan gaganapin ang event. Since hectic and very sudden po ‘yung nangyari na nasunog sa Star Theatre sa Star City, we’re still planning po for the panambot ba kung ano ang maganda kung saan kami pwede mag-perform. Pero for now, for our first team concert, gaganapin na siya sa Movie Stars Cafe at Centris,” another member stated.

“Since marami na rin kasing nag-book ng flights, we can’t change the date. Wala na po kaming mahanap,” the girls said.

Abby Trinidad, on the other hand, shared that the upcoming live-action film adaptation of the manga series Seikimatsu Blue which she is slated to star in, is set to come out in 2020.

“This coming January 2020, lalabas na po Seikimatsu Blue. Ipapalabas siya first-ever international film ng MNL48 na first ilalabas sa Japan then dito sa Philippines,” Trinidad shared.

She went on: “It’s about a family and friend story - monsters, something like that. ‘Yung mga taong mahilig sa anime, magugustuhan nila ‘to. It originated from a manga story.”

“And also meron po kaming MNL48 documentary film. Magpi-premiere na po ‘yan October 21 na po. Under QCinema. Sana po makapunta po ‘yung iba.”

Sharing what the documentary film is all about, the girls said: “The training is very intense for us. Four times or five times a week po kami nagti-train. Monday to Friday. Like no rest day. Kasi kailangan po namin patibayin ang stamina namin. Kasi every time we perform, dapat po live palagi ‘yun. Dapat hindi po masyadong rinig sa mic na hinihingal kami.”

MNL48’s show is happening this Sunday, October 6.