New P-pop girl group VVINK is FlipMusic’s latest push toward defining a new wave of local girl groups. While the label has made its mark over the years through singles that defined a generation, such as Ron Henley’s “Biglang Liko,” Sarah Geronimo’s “Tala,” and Shehyee and Donnalyn Bartolome’s “Huwag Siya,” the production’s approach with VVINK doesn’t simply lean into nostalgia. They rather map out a plan, shaped by a focused rollout of singles until 2026, with one of the architects behind it being Angelika Sam, the composer behind BINI’s “Pantropiko.” With a resume that includes one of the biggest hits of 2024, Sam is also one of VVINK’s five members, alongside Ayaka, Jean, Mariel, and Odri. Each of them brings industry familiarity, whether through national TV competitions like The Voice Kids and Little Miss Philippines or through ties to acts like Cup of Joe, SB19, and BINI.
VVINK’s debut single “Tulala” arrives fully formed. The track embraces bubblegum pop with bright synths, crisp four-on-the-floor percussion, and jagged guitar riffs. Its energy pulls from the genre’s most expressive elements, switching between rap cadences and melodic vocals, making use of the group’s range without feeling bloated. The song’s structure presents FlipMusic’s direction as a pop single that opens up new possibilities for the label without relying on its old formula.
While VVINK nods to the early 2010s, from the Diary ng Panget soundtrack era to figures like Bartolome, Shehyee, and Henley, the core of their debut is tighter. That era was defined by songwriting that cut through pop with little concern for polish. VVINK takes that same concern for hook-first structure and retools it with clearer production and performance. The group is attempting to move forward with something that doesn’t sound recycled. “Tulala” doesn’t overpromise, but it delivers on one thing clearly: it’s a proper debut, and it’s a start worth mentioning.
