What’s your favorite part about performing on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays?
ZYRENE: As a psychology student, I’ve always been passionate about my studies and work, though juggling both at the same time can sometimes be challenging. However, I usually find myself looking forward to Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays since I really enjoy performing and I consider those days as a break from my usual routine. For me, witnessing the joy and excitement of the audience during our performances greatly inspires me to always give my all. Not only does performing fulfill my passion, but it also helps me recharge and prepare for the week ahead.
We’re also lucky that Enchanted Kingdom (EK) has always been so supportive and they are very involved in helping us manage the balance between pursuing our craft and education.
What’s it like performing at Enchanted Kingdom? How does the atmosphere of the Park influence your shows?
JOY: It feels like a dream come true. As a kid, I used to watch shows at EK and pray that someday I’d get the chance to step on that stage. Who would’ve thought that dream would actually come true!
Even after nearly three years of performing in EK, the feeling I get hasn’t changed. Maybe I’m a little less nervous [performing] now, but the sense of fulfillment and gratitude I feel is just as strong as it was on day one. EK just feels like home, and I’m sure that’s why people are forever enchanted and always keep coming back to the Park. It’s a place where magical memories are created, and I’m grateful to be part of that magic every time I step on stage.
Do you have any special interactions with the audience during your Enchanted Kingdom shows?
ALYANNA: Yes, we always do.
We usually perform at the Bandstand area, one of EK’s venues for dining and at the same time, it is also where most live performances like ours are being held. Most people come there to eat, but whenever we have our shows, a lot of them sing and dance along with us, which really hypes us up even more! After every show, we also have a chance to take photos with the audience, and there are some people who really take their time to tell us how they enjoyed our performance and appreciate what we do. Each interaction makes us feel so special and grateful.
Can you tell us about the journey of forming SMS? What brought the five of you together?
NINA: We all started as homegrown talents of Enchanted Kingdom, being a part of various productions and seasonal shows. Then, on May 1, 2022, EK held a Korean festival where they hand-picked us five to form a K-pop cover girl group called SMS. Our K-pop covers became a vital training ground, allowing us to grow our skills. Later on, EK gave us the opportunity to transition into a P-pop girl group and produce songs such as our debut single “EK High! Dance like Me.”
Even from the start, our bond was strong — united by our passion for music, OPM, and the joy of performing on stage.
Listen here:
What are your biggest musical influences, both Filipino and international?
SMS: Ever since we started, we’ve always looked up to BINI. In fact, they are actually the first P-pop idols we ever met in person back in May 2022 when they performed in EK for an event that we were also part of.
Back then, SMS was a week old and newbies in the P-pop scene. Meeting BINI and witnessing their work ethics and humility, together with their talents, amazed and inspired us. Their humble beginnings and their journey to where they are now serve as a huge inspiration for a lot of Filipino artists.
What is the most challenging aspect of being in a girl group?
SELINA: I would say being in sync while still letting our individual strengths shine. Each member in our group excels in different aspects that benefits the overall look of the group — some may be better at dancing or others prefer singing. But in a group, every member has to adjust in certain aspects just to make sure the group looks whole and is well blended.
That’s why having rehearsals and practices help us figure out what we need to improve on to make us both visually and vocally appealing. We also get an all-out support and mentorship from the EK team on how we can make the most out of our potential.
What are your goals for SMS in the next year? Five years?
SMS: We are looking forward to spreading more magic not only through our live shows inside EK but also beyond its gates. We are preparing more enchanting performances and surprises for everyone as part of EK’s 30th anniversary celebration this 2025.
In the next year, we wish to create and release more music and for more people to know and appreciate SMS. In the next five years, we hope that we still get to do what we love the most, which is performing.
Check out our enchanting music at Spotify and sing along with EK High! (Dance Like Me) and “Timeless Magic,” which we composed especially for EK’s 29th anniversary.
Catch us at EK during Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. We are also preparing more spectacular performances and surprises for everyone as part of EK’s 30th anniversary celebration this 2025, especially with the much-anticipated launch of our new family thrill ride this March 30!
Don’t forget to follow us at Spotify, Youtube Music, Apple Music, Amazon Music,Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok to stay updated on our music and our upcoming shows.
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