T.O.P. (Top One Project) band member Mico Cruz is excited that ABS-CBN is forming its own boyband through the Kapamilya reality show Pinoy Boyband Superstar.
GMA Network discovered Mico and his fellow members of the boyband T.O.P. through the original reality show titled To The Top last year.
Pinoy Boyband Superstar is ABS-CBN's version of the Latin American reality show La Banda that is currently being aired during weekends.
In an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) after T.O.P.'s September 27 pocket press conference, Mico believes that the creation of a new boyband will motivate them even more.
He admitted, "Actually sa akin, yung boyband na ilalabas sa kabila, excited ako.
"Nae-excite ako, siyempre, ever since in-introduce namin na we are the boyband na binuo ng GMA 7.
"Maganda rin yung meron kang katapat. Talagang hindi maiiwasan, e. Hindi maiiwasan na magkakaroon ng katapat."
"It is something that inspires us and motivates us to work harder because this time, it's not just us playing as a boyband.
"So personally, I'm excited to actually meet them."
Yesterday, he and his fellow T.O.P. members Miko Manguba, Louie Pedroso, Joshua Jacobe, and Adrian Pascual celebrated their first year as a boyband.
On October 28, the five-piece boyband will stage their first major concert titled T.O.P. In Concert at the Music Museum.
This will be a benefit concert as the proceeds will go to the Children's Charity Ward of the Philippine Orthopedic Hospital.
Mico said that they are preparing extensively for their major concert, since it will serve as a platform to introduce their new style of singing.
The young singer pointed out, "Actually itong concert na ito, kaya nagkakasakit [sila] kasi we're trying to build our stamina pa rin for this concert.
"Kasi we aren’t just singing, standing up. We'll do dancing, and dancing talaga from Maneuvers and ad lib din, sa tulong nila.
"Pinupukpok din nila kami kaya kami rin, we are determined to give people a show.
"This is the first time we're gonna do this and we're determined to change the image of T.O.P. into something stronger, mas level up."
Mico Cruz
COLLABORATION WITH JULIE ANNE. During the presscon, the band said that they dream of collaborating with Kapuso singer Julie Anne San Jose in a production number or for a single.
The boyband and the Pop Sweetheart were able to do a cover mash-up of "Closer" by The Chainsmokers and "Cold Water" by Justin Bieber, which was posted in T.O.P.'s Facebook page.
Currently, the cover already gained over 6,000 likes on the FB page.
Mico said about this experience, "Nagulat kami, nakita naming kakaiba talaga si Julie Anne.
"Kasi on the spot lang, kunyari naka set-up na lahat, nagre-rehearse na kami, ito yung part mo, kulot kulot dito. Pagdating namin doon, singer na singer talaga.
"While we were actually shooting the video, nakakagulat, nakakamangha si Julie Anne."
At present, however, the boyband has no TV platform to showcase their talents since the Kapuso network no longer has musical-variety shows such as SOP or Party Pilipinas.
For now, GMA tapped them as guests for its own radio channel, Barangay L.S. 97.1.
Mico said, "Actually, ang nangyayari sa amin, ang nagiging venue namin is the radio, Barangay L.S.
"Every week, every Wednesday, nabibigyan kami ng opportunity to actually visit them.
"Very welcoming sila kasi we go there pag Wednesday para i-promote yung [single naming na] "Pag-gising."
"Yun yung nagiging venue namin as of now pero kung meron din sa television talaga, hopefully sana."
The T.O.P. band is also busy promoting their self-titled album containing six tracks including their carrier single "Paggising."
Top One Project members: Adrian Pascual, Louie Pedroso, Mico Cruz, and Miko Manguba.
Their other member Joshua Jacobe was not present due to illness.
The band is also nominated for Duo/Group of the Year while their album is also nominated in the Dance Album of the Year category at the 8th Star Awards for Music.
Read: Alden, Daniel, Sarah G and others nominated for Pop Album of the Year at Star Awards for Music