P-pop Group DAY ONE Makes Room for New Beginnings

Jezra is a creative whose work spans filmmaking, art direction,…

An official debut may be a first for a group, but it’s not necessarily the first for the people behind it. For DAY ONE, stepping into the P-pop scene came after years of pursuing the same dream through different paths.

Thaddeus, Jace, Mark, Wilson, Nyle, and Eleven have each had their share of experiences before coming together as a six-member group. Now, they stand together under the same name, with a common goal of making it far.

As they begin this new chapter, the members also have the chance to show audiences what each of them brings to DAY ONE. Through their own stories, they offer a glimpse of who they are as performers and what they hope to contribute to the ever-growing P-pop scene.

Every Day is Day One

There is a reason the group chose DAY ONE as its name. More than a reference to their debut, it reflects how the members see the opportunity in front of them. No matter how much they have already experienced, there is always room to begin again.

According to Thaddeus, the name came from a collective decision between the members and their company. The goal is to find something that could sum up their story.

“Basically Day One is literally, every day is Day One. It’s never too late to start again, and every new day, there’s a new chance to try new things that you want to do.”

This meaning hits closer to home for members who have already spent years training, performing, or being part of another group. While those experiences have given them a better understanding of the industry, they also know that joining DAY ONE comes with its own set of firsts. There are still things they have yet to experience, even if some of the challenges along the way may feel familiar.

“Kasi this group, although mayroon na kaming experience before, ngayong nag-debut kami lahat bago ulit. So ibig sabihin, even Nyle, lahat ng mga experience niya ngayon, posibleng ma-experience namin ulit. And that’s so exciting kasi sa two years marami ka pa ng malalaman eh. Hindi mo malalaman in a span of two years lahat ng kailangan mong malalaman sa industry.” – Thaddeus

With that, the members are not setting aside what they have learned before. Instead, they bring those lessons into the group where they can continue discovering what lies ahead. But this time, as DAY ONE.

Finding Their Footing

Nyle brought a different kind of energy to the group. Having joined later, he was experiencing certain milestones for the first time. His excitement also allowed the other members to revisit their own early experiences.

“I think (si) Nyle naging spark siya ulit,” Thaddeus notes.

That excitement carried into DAY ONE’s pre-debut busking performances, where the members brought their music to public spaces and performed for both familiar supporters and new audiences. Beyond getting comfortable onstage, these performances allowed them to introduce themselves without the pressure of presenting a perfectly polished group.

Eleven sees this openness as part of DAY ONE’s identity, pointing to their tight connection with supporters. Thaddeus adds that busking gave them a chance to show a more unfiltered side of themselves, imperfections and missed notes included.

“We don’t really care. That’s the real us. That’s DAY ONE.”

The performances also became a learning experience, particularly for Nyle, whose previous performance experience was mostly in dancing. Singing in front of an audience was a different challenge, and their first stop at SM City Telabastagan left a lasting impression.

“Parang nung nandoon ako sa harap, kasama sila, parang alam mo yung kumikinang yung mata ko na parang, ay, ito pala yun. Ito pala yung gusto kong gawin,” Nyle recalls.

Standing on the grass mat, he realized how much he wanted to perform not just through dancing, but through singing as well.

For Mark, busking helped him become more comfortable interacting with people. He also learned to enjoy performing without overthinking every detail, recognizing that audiences could better feel the music when the members were genuinely having fun.

“Mas natutunan kong enjoy lang yung performance na hindi masyadong isipin. Kasi mas mararamdaman yun ng manonood sa’yo pag ine-enjoy mo lang,” Mark shares.

Still, the members know they have room to grow. Mark wants to improve his live vocals while performing demanding choreography, Wilson hopes to become more comfortable speaking onstage, and Eleven wants to focus more on audience connection. Nyle aims to manage his excitement and energy, while Jace wants to strengthen his communication skills, whether with fans, fellow P-pop artists, or the media.

For Those Who Stayed Behind

For DAY ONE, their debut was also a long-awaited moment for the fans who had supported them from the beginning. Jace remembers seeing familiar faces in the crowd, making the occasion even more special as Daylights watched the group perform together for the first time.

The fandom name, Daylights, came from suggestions sent in by supporters. As the members understand it, Daylights are the people who light the way for DAY ONE, making them an important part of the group’s journey.

“Day One shines because Daylights are there to light the way,” Thaddeus recalled, sharing how supporters described the name.

The name carries even more meaning given how long fans have waited. Thaddeus recalls their uncertainty over the initial competition lineup, the members’ training in Korea, changes in plans, Nyle’s addition, and the group’s two months of busking. Through it all, Daylights continued supporting them without knowing what would come next.

“Maraming beses na silang naghintay. And kailangan naming ma-prove na worth it yung paghihintay nila every single time.”

The members also feel that support during performances. Mark draws energy from seeing Daylights sing and dance along. While Eleven recalls receiving messages and letters from fans sharing how DAY ONE has inspired them.

“Nai-inspire kami kasi nai-inspire sila sa amin.”

These stories motivate the members to keep improving and give back to the people who have continued to believe in them.

Introducing their Sound with D.O.D

A group’s debut single offers a glimpse of its identity. For DAY ONE, that introduction came through “D.O.D.,” short for “Do or Die,” a track inspired by the members’ experiences and the circumstances that brought them together.

The members contributed to the song’s writing and choreography, drawing from their lives before DAY ONE. Thaddeus explained that the lyrics allow them to tell their stories in their own words.

“We want to be artists na bawat lyrics makaka-relate yung tao,” he shared.

Despite its upbeat sound, the group hopes listeners will also connect with the song’s message. Nyle, for instance, relates to the line “Kasama kita, tara, bahala na.” Which reflects the uncertainty of unexpected changes and how having his fellow members beside him made taking that leap easier.

Their involvement in the creative process also extends to choosing and refining their releases. Thaddeus shared that the members are particular about their music and refuse to settle for something that is merely “okay.” From the lyrics to the mixing, they want every track to meet their standards and reflect their experiences.

For now, DAY ONE is drawn to fresh, light, and uplifting concepts. Eleven hopes to establish a recognizable sound before exploring other genre. They want to give listeners an idea of what to expect from their releases without limiting the group’s musical growth.

Beyond their music, the members also want audiences to get to know their personalities through performances and other content. They want the fans to follow their journey both on and offstage.

Dreaming as One

Like any aspiring group, DAY ONE has their own list of goals they hope to achieve. When asked about their biggest dreams, their answers take you to different places. Some hope to bring the group somewhere close to home, while others picture themselves performing on much bigger stages.

For Wilson, one of his biggest dreams is to bring the group to Europe, particularly Austria, Germany, or Switzerland. He wants to use the language he grew up with while introducing his fellow members to a part of his background. Nyle hopes to bring them to his home province of Mindoro. Meanwhile, Jace dreams of seeing DAY ONE hold their own concert. Thaddeus hopes for two sold-out shows at the Philippine Arena and eventually performing at international music festivals. Finally, Eleven wants the group to have a hit song that will introduce their music to more listeners.

While these dreams may take different forms, they are all moving forward with one another in mind. As Eleven puts it, each member’s dream is never theirs alone; it becomes something the entire group carries on their shoulders.

“Yung pangarap ng isa’y pangarap ng lahat.”

There is plenty more DAY ONE wants to share with its audience. The group plans to continue connecting with audiences through social media content, television appearances, and other promotions. All this while also preparing new music before the year ends. Thaddeus also teased a few more releases for Daylights to look forward to.

After years of waiting and finding their way to one another, the six members have another chance to see how far their dreams can go. They have made their debut, but there are still hometowns to visit, stages to perform on, and songs they have yet to share.