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It's indeed the year of reunions and nostalgia.

Joining the groups that have reunited this year is the popular all-female pop group Viva Hot Babes, which rose to fame in the early 2000s.

Maui Taylor, Katya Santos, Andrea Del Rosario, Gwen Garci, Sheree, Jaycee Parker, Ella V., and Jennifer Lee are set to come together once again for the Bulaklak concert. Directed by GB Sampedro, the concert will be held at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, Quezon City, on October 23.

During their media conference on Wednesday, August 19, the Viva Hot Babes revealed that it was Viva Entertainment's Boss Vic del Rosario who approached them about staging a reunion concert.

Earlier this year, Katya had announced that a Viva Hot Babes reunion would not be happening.

Explaining her earlier post, Katya said, “At that time, we had our own priorities. I have my personal priorities, so hindi namin naiisip. But this June lang po, nabigla lang din kami talaga. Pinatawag kami ni Boss Vic and said, 'O, mag-reunion tayo.' Siyempre, kami parang, 'Huh?'”

“'Kasi, kung hindi n'yo gagawin 'to, kailan pa?' Yun ang sabi niya. 'Ngayon ang panahon ng lahat ng mga nagre-reunion, gawin na natin 'to.'”

She added, “Of course, kami naman sabi namin, 'Oo nga, siguro kapag may sinabi si Boss Vic na vision na ganun, kailangan sundin mo 'yon. Ang hirap mag-no. Siyempre, ang naging ano namin is naniniwala pa rin sa amin si Boss Vic kaya kami napa-decide na mag-reunion, mag-move o mag-delay ng things na ginagawa namin sa personal life, and focus on this reunion concert.”

Katya also sees the reunion as an opportunity for the group members to explore new possibilities in their careers.

“Sa tingin namin, this is an opportunity for us to grow as an artist, to open doors for each and every one of us again.”

“Yun nga, minsan lang 'to darating. Grateful kami na meron kaming Boss Vic, meron kaming Viva na magus-support sa amin. So, nag-decide kaming lahat na, 'Okay, sige, let's do this.' Nabuo siya nang sobrang mabilisan kaya nape-pressure po kami, sobrang bilis ng pangyayari.”

Related gallery: Viva Hot Babes as strong, sexy, and empowered moms

Viva Hot Babes vs. SexBomb Girls

Andrea, meanwhile, admitted that although there had been a clamor for a Viva Hot Babes reunion, they initially had reservations about pushing through with one, especially as the SexBomb Girls were also holding successful reunion concerts.

“At first, we didn't wanna do it. At the same time, we didn't wanna take the spotlight from the SexBomb at that time. We were like, no, we shouldn't do it na pabara-bara din. We were not ready at that time.”

Now, however, the group is ready to reunite for their fans.

“We want this as a celebration—celebrating where we started, where we are not as women, as moms, as all these multi-faceted women. We want to show that we're here to stay.”

With their reunion concert, comparisons between the Viva Hot Babes and SexBomb Girls have once again resurfaced. Both all-female pop groups rose to fame around the same period in the early 2000s.

For Maui, however, there is no reason for the two groups to be pitted against each other, especially since they remain friends off-camera.

“To be honest, hindi mawawala yung comparison. It will always be there. But we don't see the need to be compared with each other.”

“One of the reasons we're actually doing this reunion project because we were inspired by the SexBomb.”

“You know, yung SexBomb, they're actually good friends with everyone. When they found out that we're having this reunion concert, actually, they already sent a congratulatory message to the group.”

Maui acknowledged that comparisons will inevitably be made, but emphasized that Bulaklak will offer an experience unique to the Viva Hot Babes.

“Comparison, yes, we will be compared. But our concert will be different. We want to celebrate the occasion of 23 years of our friendship. This is not just an ordinary concert. It's going to be an experience for everyone.”

“Ipaparamdam namin na ito yung Viva Hot Babes. This is what we've gone through these years; this is what we've achieved; these are the years of friendship that we've built. Everyone's gonna feel that all throughout the concert.”

Related gallery: The beautiful friendship of Viva Hot Babes