FINA reimagines folklore for a new era of P-pop

A new kind of heroine has entered the P-pop universe—one draped in myth, heritage, and modern Filipina fire. FINA arrive not simply as a girl group, but as a reclamation of folklore reframed for the stage.

Launched by CreaZion Studios and Universal Records Philippines, the five-member act made their first public appearance on February 18 at Noctos Music Bar in Diliman, Quezon City, in a spectacle that felt closer to a fashion reveal than a standard media call.

Swathed in vivid, textured ensembles inspired by Philippine mythology, the members embodied their chosen archetypes—the aswang, lobo, sirena, engkanta, and diwata—with theatrical poise and high-gloss polish. It was a visual thesis on identity: ancestral, feminine, and unapologetically bold. The “new Pinay” has arrived.

The name FINA is deliberate, drawn from “Filipina,” a declaration of pride in a scene increasingly shaped by young women claiming space on their own terms.

Anika, born in Cavite, honed her voice through OPM competitions before discovering the power of dance in senior high school. Nala, born Chinese but raised in the Philippines, found her rhythm in ballet at three and later immersed herself in musical theater.

From Cagayan de Oro, Chill pursued theater and worked as a student jockey, viewing idol life as a platform for positivity and advocacy. Cia of Cabanatuan City persevered through multiple auditions before earning her place in the lineup. And Heaven, a Quezon City native who began as a commercial model, steps into the spotlight as a performer who has long envisioned herself on screen.

In an industry that often assigns fixed roles, FINA prefer fluidity. There is no singular center, no rigid hierarchy—only five artists sharing the spotlight as vocalists, dancers, rappers, visuals, even maknae when the moment calls for it. Their fandom, FINEST, has already been teased with what comes next: a forthcoming Bisaya track and music that folds in regional dialects, expanding the sonic map of P-pop while keeping its roots intact.

Their debut single, “Paramdam,” is both invitation and introduction—a bright, rhythm-forward track that urges listeners to let go and step fully into themselves. Its accompanying music video threads choreography with mythological references, transforming creatures once whispered about in folklore into emblems of contemporary strength.

For FINA, the message is clear: authenticity is power, vulnerability is not weakness, and Filipina identity—complex, diverse, and radiant—belongs center stage.