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On February 22 and 23, the Philippines saw the power of K-pop and K-hip-hop at the first-ever Waterbomb Manila held at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park.

The fans also received a treat from rising OPM artists today like Kapuso singer Thea Astley and P-pop boy band BILIB composed of Zio, Carlo, Rafael, RC, Yukito, JMAC, and Clyde.

They opened the second day of the show with a spectacular performance of “Tawag” and “Say Watcha Wanna Say.”

In an exclusive interview with GMANetwork.com, BILIB, shared their thoughts on being the flagbearers of the Philippines at the South Korean festival.

“Actually, mixed emotions po talaga, pero sobrang halong excitement po and kaba po kasi, siyempre po, sobrang dami pong tao and at the same time, puro K-pop fans po talaga 'yung mga nandito at saka 'yung mga pinunta po nila is 'yung mga biggest K-pop stars po talaga sa Korea,” RC told GMANetwork.com.

RC added, “So malaking pressure po sa amin and, at the same time, sobrang excited po talaga kami na iangat ang bandera po ng OPM at P-pop po dito sa Waterbomb. And first time po kasi ng Waterbomb here in Manila, so sobrang saya po.”

BILIB at Waterbomb Manila | SOURCE: Faye Ochoa/(GMANetwork.com)

Although there is pressure, BILIB is determined to take on the world and hopes to grace the stages of Coachella, MTV Video Music Awards, and famous Korean awards shows.

“Sa mga music awards po ng Korea, especially [since] nag-perform po before 'yung P-pop [groups] sa [Asia Artist Awards], so dream din po talaga namin na makapag-perform sa mga music awards po sa Korea,” said RC.

Yukito said they are also hoping to widen the reach of P-pop, “Malay mo naman, 'di ba? At saka, hindi lang 'yan; we are also hoping na ma-open 'tong door na 'to sa buong P-pop community.”

“We're also hoping na makilala kami globally. Buong P-pop na mga groups, iba't ibang groups,” JMAC added.

BILIB also performed their latest single “Hindi Ka Bibitawan” at Waterbomb Manila, which they said is a song dedicated to their fans whom they call Bituins.

“Actually ito 'yung pinaka-first kind of like song na parang puwede naming i-relate sa mga Bituins. Lahat 'yun sa friends namin, sa families namin, [at] sa lahat ng mga sumusuporta sa amin, kasi the lyric itself states kung ano 'yung gusto naming iparating doon sa mga taong mahal [namin],” Yukito told GMANetwork.com, “Dito, gusto naming i-assure na nandirito kaming BILIB para hindi sila sukuan at para bigyan sila ng inspiration and love.”

To make their Waterbomb debut more fun, BILIB was joined by fellow P-pop artist Zela.

BILIB is a boy group under AQ Prime Music. They debuted on July 7, 2023, with their single “Kabanata” which encompasses the group's determination to face new chapters in life despite all the challenges and trials ahead.

TAKE A LOOK BACK ON BILIB'S PERFORMANCE AND WHAT WENT DOWN ON THE CLOSING SHOW OF WATERBOMB MANILA