A YEAR AFTER forming as a group, GMA Network reality-show-produced boyband ‘Top One Project’ (TOP) won their first award, a solid confidence boost ahead of their first concert this Friday, October 28, at the Music Museum.
TOP was named ‘Best Group of the Year’ at the 8th PMPC Star Awards for Music tonight, October 23, at a ceremony held at Novotel Araneta Center in Quezon City.
Made up of young artists Adrian Pascual, Joshua Jacobe, Louie Pedroso, Mico Cruz, and Miko Manguba, the group beat out other veteran group acts in the country, including one of their own mentors, ‘The Company.’
Top One Project receives their trophy as they won ‘Best Group of the Year’ at PMPC Star Awards for Music 2016.
We caught up with the boys earlier today at Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza along Katipunan, during a bloggers’ conference for their upcoming concert. Asked how it felt to be nominated against their own mentors, they said, humbly, that they felt both happy and anxious about it — being considered one of the country’s best, or “being nominated alone is already a pleasure,” as they put it. Still, they admitted winning would feel different.
The group was also nominated for ‘Best Dance Album of the Year,’ but they said that if they had to pick just one award to win, it would be ‘Best Group of the Year’ — a wish granted later that same night.
Beyond boosting their confidence heading into Friday’s concert, the win also gives their career as a group real momentum, as they aim to redefine what a ‘boy band’ means in the Philippines today. And that’s without even mentioning that their career single, ‘Pag-gising,’ released a few months back, is now the most requested song on local radio, ahead of Alden Richards‘ ‘Rescue Me’ and Julie Anne San Jose‘s ‘Naririnig Mo Ba’ in second and third place, respectively.
There’s no denying we’ve lost something of the true ‘boy band’ in recent years, with so-called boy groups these days offering looks but little talent. That’s a concern TOP raised themselves earlier today, hoping to be known instead for real talent and music worth Filipino listeners’ time. Having followed the group’s formation and journey firsthand, it’s genuinely nice to see them keep improving as the days go by.
Top One Project members (L-R) Louie, Joshua, Adrian, Mico C., and Miko M. pose for this shot taken by this blogger after our interview with them earlier today in Quezon City.
This Friday, expect an even sharper ‘Top One Project’ as they hit the concert stage for the first time. We can personally vouch for the treat this group has in store for concertgoers and fans alike. You’ll want to be at the Music Museum to see it for yourself.
*Kapuso artists Kim Domingo and Aicelle Santos will serve as guests for the T.O.P in Concert. For tickets, visit http://www.ticketworld.com.ph or check any Ticket World outlet nationwide. Prices are P2,000 (VIP), P1,500 (Lower Box), P1,000 (Orchestra), and P500 (Balcony).