In this new P-pop girl group, ‘everyone can lead’
While many established and rising P-pop acts still adhere to traditional designations (leader, main vocal, main dancer), the newly launched girl group Fina follows the growing trend toward more fluid, all-rounder roles.
After all, the name Fina—derived from “Filipina”—represents members Anika, Nala, Chill, Cia, and Heaven’s mission to highlight the “multifaceted nature of the modern Filipina.”
“All of us have our own strengths, but we don’t want to restrict ourselves. We want to show that everyone can step up and lead in our own ways,” Chill says. “We also want to show that P-pop is powerful and that anyone can be a strong vocalist, dancer, and performer.”
Taking turns
This much is evident in the group’s live performance of their debut single, “Paramdam,” at their recent press launch. The vocal lines were distributed more or less evenly, with the girls taking turns at the center—all while weaving in and out of singing, rapping, and dancing.
This desire not to be boxed in applies not only to their performances but also to how they present themselves to society. “I believe it’s important for us women to be authentic,” Anika tells Lifestyle Inquirer. “We’re often expected to fit a standard or a box everyone should follow, but we shouldn’t be afraid to be ourselves.”
Launched by Universal Records Philippines, Galaxy Talent Management, and CreaZion Studios Artists, Fina was three years in the making—or perhaps even longer, considering the girls had been working toward this dream since childhood.
Anika grew up participating in singing and dance contests. Nala took up ballet at the age of three and knew right away she needed dance in her life. In college, she took up musical theater so she could sing, dance, and act all at once.
Chill, who dabbled in theater and served as a student jockey, always wanted to become an idol and use her platform to take a stand and spread positivity. Cia has lost count of how many times she auditioned for different entertainment companies. Dreaming of being on TV from the age of three, Heaven eventually pursued acting and commercial modeling on her way to a music career.
Filipino folklore
Now, after extensive training—of honing their talents and physical conditioning—the fruits of their hard work are now for all to see and hear. “Paramdam” is an interesting mix of international trends and Filipino sensibilities. It’s a relatively chill number, as far as a first salvo goes—a midtempo jam with Afrobeats-inspired grooves, entrancing synths, sultry vocals, and a touch of lambing.
In the accompanying music video, the girls bring Filipino mythology and folklore to life by wearing costumes inspired by creatures like the aswang, lobo, engkanto, sirena, and diwata. “We draw on our history and our culture to create something new and express it through performance and dance,” Chill says.
The girls are closely involved in the creative process, they say, and continue to experiment with different styles. They also draw inspiration from a diverse range of influences and favorite artists including Arthur Nery, KZ Tandingan, Juan Karlos, Hev Abi, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish.
‘Fine as you are’
Fina’s sound, Nala says, is meant to be fun to listen to. But listen to it enough times, and it expresses something deeper than its burnished sheen lets on. She especially resonates with this line, “Huwag mo nang sukatin ang buhay sa bilis / Balang araw tayo lahat ay aalis”—after which the rest of the girls join in harmonizing following Nala’s lead.
Anika agrees, and feels that meaningful work isn’t always synonymous with being serious. “We want to show that we’re not just good but also joyful,” she says, adding that—should the music gods smile upon them—they would love to help show the world the “versatility” of P-pop and the multifaceted artistry of Filipino artists.
Ultimately, Chill says, the song’s message of finding your own space and sense of belonging aligns with Fina’s mission of acceptance, hard work, resilience, and finding strength in vulnerability. “Fine as you are”—so the group’s catchphrase goes.
“We know that there’s always a community out there that’s going to love you regardless of who you are, and if you just be who you are,” she says. “Be authentically and unapologetically yourself, and you will always belong.”
