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Spotify RADAR Philippines Artist VVINK Talks Beginnings and Breakthroughs in Their P-pop Journey

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Lance Joseph Martinez

It has only been nearly nine months since P-pop girl group <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/4RYaFaZPwHFQpNUr6mW6OW?si=WmB8RSgpQTOUQ4_aBMxpQA">VVINK</a> officially stepped into the spotlight, but their story is already one of growth, grit, and second chances.Formed under FlipMusic Records, the five-member act—Angelika, Ayaka, Jean, Mariel, and Odri—made their official debut on July 10, 2025. Though their pre-debut album <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/61SDkPXBF8nvQaGOVineM8?si=K75mNp_rSeiYNx6pco0OIQ">Vvink: The Pre-Debut Album</a> dropped earlier on May 16, 2025, it was their debut single <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1h4HjBPTY2crZXkfyh86EU?si=13977774f0284972">“Tulala,”</a> a dreamy and upbeat track about the dizzying emotions of first love, that marked the true beginning of their journey as a group.Now, as one of Spotify RADAR Philippines’ featured artists for 2026, VVINK is reflecting on how far they’ve come—and where they’re headed next.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775462254194VVINK.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Spotify RADAR Artist VVINK | Photo courtesy of Spotify</div><div> </div><div>How do you pronounce VVINK—and what does it mean? </div>At first glance, VVINK might seem tricky to say, but the group clarified that it’s simply pronounced as “wink.” The name comes from the stylized double “V,” which is read as a “W,” forming a word that carries a deeper meaning for the group.“It represents us kasi po parang second chance na po ito for us since we all came from different competitions, and VVINK po is all about second chances,” Odri shared in an interview with Metro.Style.Beyond its pronunciation, the name also symbolizes “double victory” and serves as a reflection of their individual and collective journeys. It represents the connection between their past experiences and future dreams, encouraging both members and their fans to embrace growth while moving forward with confidence.<div style="text-align:center"> </div><div>How VVINK came together?</div>Before becoming VVINK, each member had already carved out her own unique path.Odri, for one, entered the group without formal singing experience, having spent years as a dancer. Meanwhile, Angelika had already begun carving out a name behind the scenes as a songwriter, even contributing to &quot;Pantropiko&quot; alongside FlipMusic’s head producer Jumbo de Belen—one of BINI’s hit tracks.Ayaka, a Filipino-Japanese former child star, had previously stepped away from the Philippine entertainment industry and returned to Japan before eventually joining the group. Mariel gained early recognition as a contestant on The Voice Kids Philippines, while Jean—who would later become the group’s main vocalist—had already formed a connection with Mariel online before they both became part of VVINK.Their diverse backgrounds, while different, ultimately became the foundation of their strength as a group.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775462416136VVINK (3).jpg" style="width:700px;display:block" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Ayaka, Jean, Mariel, Angelika, and Odri | Photo courtesy of Spotify</div><div> </div><div>“A rollercoaster ride” </div>Looking back on their first months together, Ayaka summed up their journey in just a few words. “Honestly, it has been a rollercoaster ride. Ang dami pong nangyari since July na nag-debut po kami. We’re just taking it all in,” she said.From debuting to performing at major music events across the country in 2025, the group has been navigating the fast-paced world of the music industry with gratitude.For Mariel, much of that gratitude goes to the people who continue to support them, especially their fans, known as VVINKIES.“Ang supportive nila sa amin. Ang sipag nilang mag-attend ng mga gigs. We can say na parang humugot po talaga kami sa kanila ng energy. We’re very thankful, s&#x27;yempre sa team namin, FlipMusic,” she shared.<div> </div><div>Their most memorable moments so far </div>Despite being relatively new in the industry, VVINK has already built a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences.For Odri, one of the most special moments happened even before their official debut, during their trainee days, when they were still getting to know one another.Ayaka, on the other hand, recalled performing at the Araneta Coliseum during a PBA halftime show just a day before their debut. “Sa Araneta, so ‘yun po ‘yung pinakanaalala ko, tapos ang dami agad ng tao,” she said.For Mariel and Jean, their debut launch held a particularly emotional significance, as it marked the first time they performed in front of both their families and their growing fanbase.Angelika also highlighted a standout moment during one of their gigs in Cabuyao, where they shared the stage with one of their biggest inspirations. “Kasama po namin sa lineup po ‘yung idol na idol naming Cup of Joe, and sobrang memorable siya kasi na-meet namin po sila backstage, and also to perform on the same stage rin.”<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775462452436VVINK (1).jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Photo courtesy of Spotify</div><div> </div><div>Overcoming struggles as a group </div>Behind the glitz of performances and milestones, VVINK has also faced its fair share of challenges.Jean revealed that one of their earliest struggles was being away from their families, especially since all members live together in a shared dorm.“Si Ayaka po, galing pa po siya sa Japan, so nagpunta po siya sa Pilipinas for this journey, and kami naman po, ako po taga-Laguna po ako. Lahat po kasi kami nag-stay po sa iisang place, so naka-dorm po kami. At first, naho-home sick po talaga, nami-miss po talaga namin ‘yung pamilya namin,” she said.Angelika added that the pressure during their debut preparations was also intense: “Hindi po makatulog... sobrang kaba.”Despite these challenges, the group has emerged stronger, leaning on each other for support and motivation.<div> </div><div>On their latest single, “Kailan Ka Aamin” </div>Continuing to build their discography, VVINK released their latest single, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4ODOctDusqgxRCNDHzs3qf?si=ySJxAw2BQZGcqiHAnU3KmQ">“Kailan Ka Aamin,” </a>last March 12. The track was composed by Jumbo de Belen alongside hitmaker Nica Del Rosario.Angelika described the song’s relatable theme, saying, “It&#x27;s about—nasa school ka lang, nasa classroom ka, and hindi ka makaamin sa crush mo.” Jean added, “Parang binabalik tayo sa high school vibe tapos parang torpe-torpehan.”With its nostalgic and youthful feel, the track taps into familiar emotions of unspoken feelings and innocent crushes, making it another standout addition to their growing list of songs.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775462480835VVINK (2).jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Photo courtesy of Spotify</div><div> </div><div>Becoming Spotify RADAR Philippines’ first artist for 2026</div>VVINK’s growing influence in the P-pop scene was further cemented when they were named as one of Spotify RADAR Philippines’ featured artists for 2026.Since its launch, Spotify’s RADAR program has supported over 1,000 emerging artists across more than 180 markets worldwide, amplifying new voices and connecting them with a global audience.In the Philippines, the initiative has evolved into a powerful platform for discovering the next generation of hitmakers. In 2025, artists like Dilaw, ALLMO$T, and Young Blood Neet even made it to the Top 20 RADAR Artists globally, highlighting the growing global presence of Pinoy music.This year’s lineup spotlights 10 artists defining the next wave of Pinoy music, across different genres and perspectives. From alternative pop-rock band HEY JUNE! and indie artists Kenaniah, fitterkarma, NEW LORE; singer-songwriters rhodessa and Chezka; P-pop act VVINK; and hip-hop and R&amp;B artists Waiian, Paul N Ballin, and Elhé—each brings a distinct voice to today’s evolving music scene.For VVINK, being part of this year’s lineup feels nothing short of surreal. “To be already recognized by Spotify feels surreal. And feel po namin, confirmation siya from God na we’re on the right path, and we’re doing the right thing,” Ayaka shared.Odri echoed this sentiment, emphasizing how the milestone serves as both a reward and a reminder. “We’re very grateful po sa lahat ng taong nakapaligid sa’min. Sa mga VVINKIES, of course, sa Spotify, sa team, and sa isa’t-isa.”<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17754623240961 RADAR Philippines.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Photo courtesy of Spotify</div><div> </div><div>Dream collaborations and what’s next for VVINK </div>As they continue to make waves, VVINK also revealed the artists they hope to collaborate with in the future. Among their dream collaboration are Cup of Joe and Maki—both of whom they consider major influences, alongside P-pop powerhouse SB19.Looking ahead, the group has big plans for the rest of the year. From releasing more music to staging their own concert and traveling across the Philippines, VVINK is determined to keep the momentum going.With their story still unfolding, one thing is clear: VVINK is just getting started.For those eager to discover more rising OPM talent, listeners can dive into <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWVp4cWdnm5ws?si=01f86f2b380f48c3">Spotify RADAR Philippines’ </a>curated playlist and take that first step into the future of Pinoy music.<div style="text-align:center"> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775462351637Spotify RADAR Philippines 2026.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Spotify RADAR Philippines | Photo courtesy of Spotify</div><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/artist/4RYaFaZPwHFQpNUr6mW6OW?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> </div><div> </div>Lead photo courtesy of Spotify

In an exclusive interview with Metro.Style, VVINK, one of Spotify RADAR Philippines’ featured artists for 2026, reflects on how far they’ve come and opens up about what’s next for the group.

In an exclusive interview with Metro.Style, VVINK, one of Spotify RADAR Philippines’ featured artists for 2026, reflects on how far they’ve come and opens up about what’s next for the group.

Spotify RADAR Philippines Artist VVINK Talks Beginnings and Breakthroughs in Their P-Pop Journey

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Spotify RADAR Philippines Artist VVINK Talks Beginnings and Breakthroughs in Their P-Pop Journey

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published April 06, 2026 05:20 PM PHT

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