G22: Redefining the Alpha Confidence
Powerful female voices have long shaped pop music in the Philippines, and P-pop continues that legacy. At the forefront stands G22, often regarded as the “P-pop alpha” of the scene, commanding attention with a presence that is both fierce and intentional.
The three-piece P-pop girl group, AJ, Jaz, and Alfea, captivate audiences with precise choreography, striking visuals, and vocals that carry both strength and emotion. Through their music, they celebrate confidence, femininity, and self-assurance, becoming a symbol of empowerment for a generation of women learning to take up space without apology.
But behind the polished performances and undeniable stage dominance are young women still in motion; constantly learning, growing, and redefining who they are beyond the spotlight.
PALABAN: THE G22 WAY
Aside from mastering the footwork while performing, one of the traits a performer should possess is confidence. Especially on stage, confidence allows them to command attention, connect with the audience, and deliver performances with conviction. It also helps artists and performers embrace their identity while simultaneously navigating setbacks and overcoming self-doubt. But most importantly, confidence inspires fans. When fans see artists with such confidence, it encourages them to embrace their own individuality as well.
That trait has been evident in both G22’s music and their image.
Yet behind the unwavering presence they project onstage lies a deeper and more human story about what confidence truly means to them. While they dazzle audiences with poise and power, AJ, Jaz, and Alfea also understand that confidence is not a fixed state. It shifts, wavers, and is continuously rebuilt.
For AJ, confidence is something she has had to actively rebuild in the limelight over the years. Like anyone else, she has faced doubt, insecurity, and difficult days that challenge how she sees herself. In these moments, reflection becomes essential as she looks back on the journey that shaped her and the experiences that brought her to where she is today. She shares that it is never easy to constantly uphold a strong image, but even in moments of uncertainty, those experiences become the anchor that helps her return to herself and rebuild her confidence.
“Hindi siya araw-araw na may kumpiyansa ka. So, babalik at babalik ka na rin kung paano mo binabalik yung confidence na yun.” - AJ
Jaz also shares the same sentiment, though she approaches it from a different angle. Rather than avoiding fear, she has learned to see it as evidence of growth. For her, discomfort becomes part of the process of becoming more confident, especially when it means stepping into unfamiliar spaces and taking risks. She explains that doubt often appears when she feels out of place, but instead of holding her back, it reminds her that she is growing
“I'm in a place that's too big for me. But I'm in that place, and I'm growing.” - Jaz
This understanding of confidence extends beyond the stage and into how they choose to live their lives, especially through Alfea’s perspective. Confidence can also mean freedom from unnecessary pressure and external judgment. Life, she believes, is too short to constantly overthink what other people say or think. Instead, she encourages simply choosing to live fully, do what you want, and enjoy what brings happiness, as long as no one is being harmed and the choices remain true to who you are. Confidence, in this sense, is not about seeking approval but about expressing yourself without apology.
“Go and do what you want. Go wear what you want. Be confident because you want to.” - Alfea
Their perspective on confidence shows why they are the palaban women who rise through everything, carrying confidence with such conviction. It is rooted not only in their performance but in lived experience, self-awareness, and the continuous choice to stand firm in who they are
REFLECTIONS BEYOND THE SPOTLIGHT
When G22 looks in the mirror, they see the confidence and strength that have defined their Alpha image. But beyond the spotlight, the loud cheers, and the identity of G22, that reflection also reveals a more vulnerable side. Having entered the industry at a young age and grown within its demands, much of their formative years have been shaped by training, performance, and expectation.
As AJ shared, there are moments on rest days when she steps away from being “G22 AJ” and returns to her core, finding peace in simply existing outside the demands of the industry and remembering who she is beyond the role she performs. In an industry filled with noise, even simple moments with her loved ones become sacred, especially being with people who have known and loved her long before the accolades and the spotlight. These moments allow her to stay grounded, protecting her peace while holding on to who she truly is.
For Alfea, growing up in the industry has also shaped her journey of self-discovery. Starting training at a young age, she acknowledges that she is still in the process of finding herself. For her, understanding life outside of work means continuously returning to her roots and remembering why she started in the first place, allowing her identity to grow and form beyond G22.
Jaz, on the other hand, reflects on a similar journey of growing up, where comparisons often come naturally, especially at a young age when it is easy to feel like others have better or more fulfilling lives. But her perspective has shifted through experience. As she says, “the grass is greener where you’re standing because you’re watering it.” For her, the effort she puts in both on and off stage is what allows her growth to take shape. If she looks at herself now, she sees someone who worked hard for the life she has, a reminder that what she has built is not stagnant but evolving, and that in time, what is still growing today may fully bloom into a garden.
Now, with each realization and each personal journey of self-discovery, they are at their strongest on stage. On stage, they give everything they have, leaving nothing behind. Each of them may be carrying personal struggles, doubts, or fears, yet in those moments, everything seems to fade as they step into their shared purpose and performance.
As their careers continue to rise and they discover more of themselves along the way, one thing remains certain: they are all significant parts of each other’s lives. Each member has contributed greatly to one another’s growth and sense of self. Every day, they are together, learning together, growing together, even in the most ordinary and vulnerable moments. Whether it is training, laughing, struggling, or celebrating small victories, they experience it side by side.
Perhaps that is what their reflections reveal most clearly. Beyond the Alpha image, they see not only how far they have come, but the people who brought them there. In one another, they find a reflection of growth, resilience, and the women they are still becoming.
THE DISSECTION OF EVE
Their self-reflection and journey of discovery also became the foundation of The Dissection of Eve, G22’s first album. Rather than beginning with a fixed concept, the project unfolded naturally through the members’ personal experiences and honest songwriting. Each member wrote from different places in their lives, carrying distinct emotions, perspectives, and chapters of growth.
The result is an album that forms its own narrative, where even the track order feels intentional, almost like a story unfolding. It moves like a journey of becoming palaban, then slowly peeling it back and dissecting what made her that way. Why is she strong? What did she go through to become this kind of woman? And in the end, it arrives at a powerful realization that after everything, after the vulnerability and the pain, she stands as a Filipina queen.
It becomes a near-perfect encapsulation of their shared journey, an album that invites listeners to look beyond the armor and understand the women beneath it all.
This album defines who G22 is, a reflection of people who see themselves in its advocacy and in the journey of the members. It carries the essence of a group with a soul, one that gives everything in both performance and message to inspire others to keep fighting and moving forward. Because G22 has fought, and continues to fight, every step of the way.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
Following the successful release of their album, G22 is set to reach another major career milestone with their first solo concert, “THE EVE OF AN ALPHA: The First Concert,” happening on July 12, 2026, at the New Frontier Theater.
For the group, the preparation comes with both excitement and pressure as they take into consideration the diverse audience that has supported them through different stages of their journey. This includes the OG Bullets who have supported them from the beginning and have already seen many of their performances, as well as new audiences who may be watching them live for the first time. With this in mind, they aim to create a concert experience that feels like the ultimate representation of G22 while still offering something fresh.
The preparation brings a mix of excitement, pressure, and anticipation, as they work toward delivering a performance that reflects how far they have come. For AJ, this milestone has also reignited their passion for performing. Seeing the dedication of the entire team behind the production, from the directors and musical director to the coaches, glam team, and management, has been deeply motivating.
LESSONS IN CONFIDENCE
Through their journey of confidence, the group carries a deeper goal of empowering women through their craft. They want to serve as a reminder that it is okay to be yourself, to put yourself out there, and to show the world your authentic self without apology, as long as you are not harming anyone in the process.
For them, confidence is rooted in the freedom to define who you are, without being limited or boxed in by expectations or labels. You have the power to create the life you want, and no one else can take your place or replicate who you are. In that understanding begins self-acceptance, and from self-acceptance, confidence naturally follows.
And that is the most important reflection of all. When you look in the mirror, confidence is not found in becoming someone else, but in recognizing the person already looking back at you. In embracing that reflection, flaws and all, begins the journey of becoming unapologetically yourself.
“There's only one of you and no one can be you. So that's the first step to accepting yourself and confidence will follow.” - Jaz
CORNERSTONE’S TEAM
G22 TEAM:
STYLIST:
Eldzs Mejia | Styling team: @eldzstyles @miggsnificent @beahilado_ @nikkomiguell
Pink Jersey Ensemble: @ajjavierph
HMUA:
Jay Salcedo
HAIR STYLIST
Jana Chin
CORNERSTONE ENTERTAINMENT:
Ad and Promo Specialist
Jonald Helito
Handler and RM:
Ina Agabe
Pauline Ponayo
Executives:
Erickson Raymundo
Jeffrey Vadillo
Caress Caballero
COLLABORATORS
PHOTOGRAPHER:
Ian Nikko Manalo
Frances “Chini” Reyes
CREATIVE DIRECTION:
Devon May Seron
EDITED BY:
JC Bolante
Sachii Del Mundo
Ian Nikko Manalo
COVER STORY BY:
Hailie Jade Cruz
Food and Beverage
Graze Yourself
Sol Cafe | Owner: Edsel Santiago
Clever Brews | Owner: Carl Tayer
Behind-the-Scenes:
Snap Collective
Sachii Del Mundo
Redd Ubaldo
Studio:
Co Create Studios
THE PIPOL TEAM
Publisher: Richard de Quina & John Luke Chica
Managing Director: Inyi Yruma
Editor-in-Chief: John Luke Chica
Creative Director: Devon May Seron
Communications & Partnership Manager: Kyra Custodio- Alberto
Senior Writer: Beatrice Ulibarri
Multimedia & Digital Head: Sachii Del Mundo
Sales and Marketing Manager: Regino Rubi
Executive Assistant: Dreamboy Dubria, JC Bolante
Finance Head: Mylene Dela Reyna
AUTHORS
Hailie Jade Cruz
Hailie is a writer who enjoys all things pop culture and entertainment, bringing this passion into writing heartfelt stories that resonate with people and today’s generation. Her work centers on heartfelt storytelling that celebrates the moments, people, and passions that inspire her.
