For years, G22 has carried the reputation of being P-pop’s “female alphas.” The title comes naturally. They effortlessly command attention through captivating performances, execute razor-sharp choreography with absolute precision, and deliver music that boldly embraces an unapologetic sense of confidence. Songs like “BANG” reinforce that image that is powerful, fearless, and impossible to ignore.

But as G22’s triad Jaz, AJ, and Alfea talk with ZEEN, they reveal that the version of strength they carry today looks different from the one they first introduced at debut. Rather than moving away from the image they’ve built, G22 is redefining it on their own terms.

When asked whether they see themselves as more of a “BANG” or “Musika” girl, AJ offers an answer that immediately might contradict what people might perceive her as. “I think for me, people expect me to be a bad girl. Yeah, like, to be the strong one and everything, but I feel like I’m really a ‘Musika’ type of girl. Like I’m a soft girl.”

The rest of the group agrees that “Musika” reflects them beyond the stage, proving that vulnerability has become just as essential to G22’s identity as confidence that extends sonically to the music they have created throughout the years.

Asked whether there’s pressure to constantly appear strong because of the group’s image, the members don’t hesitate to share that there is.

“Maraming beses sobra.. need namin mag-show up, for each other din. Kasi tatlo lang kami eh, hindi puwedeng may mawala ng isa,” Alfea shares.

Even on difficult days, the responsibility doesn’t disappear. Instead, it becomes something they carry together.

“We’re very open rin naman when it comes to embracing your insecurities,” AJ explains. “We know each other’s weaknesses and whenever a day comes when we feel less confident than we usually do, huhugot ka talaga sa mga kasama mo for that ounce of confidence.”

Strength, for G22, is no longer measured by how much a person can endure alone.

“I think everyone needs a hand to hold, not just women,” Jaz says. “Everyone, I think it’s important to have community. I feel like as humans, we are designed to have and build connection.”

“I truly believe no man’s an island. You really need a person. Even though you say you’re very independent, you can manage yourself very well, but at the end of the day, you need someone to support and believe in you as well,” AJ echoes the sentiment.

That philosophy has naturally shaped the way the trio works behind the scenes. Although they never formally assigned responsibilities to one another, the members describe an unspoken rhythm that has developed over years of working—and growing—together.

“It’s like part of our system already,” AJ shares. “There’s a system that we… just know each other.”

Jaz adds that they’re never afraid to admit when they need help.

“We’re also not afraid to vocalize if we need help in a specific area and we lack the capacity, the knowledge. We automatically fall into these roles.”

That same trust has become the foundation of G22’s creative process.

Far from simply performing songs handed to them, the trio has become increasingly involved in shaping every aspect of their artistry—from songwriting and production to visuals, branding, and even the creative direction of their upcoming concert.

“The album, we wrote it ourselves,” AJ says. “We produced it with our producers and the management. It’s a collaboration between a lot of creatives. We want to be in-depth sa mga decisions as well, sa visuals and branding.”

For Jaz, creative ownership isn’t about control but about honesty.

“We don’t wanna be known as just performers but we want to be known as artists. Our art is a gift to our listeners. It’s really [a] piece of our lives, so I feel like it would not be authentic if we weren’t involved.”

That authenticity has also changed the way they approach the rapidly growing P-pop scene.

Rather than viewing the industry’s momentum as a race, G22 chooses to keep their attention on the journey they’re building for themselves.

“We just focus on ourselves and the journey that we have,” AJ says. “Lahat naman tayo may sari-sariling path, may sari-sariling time.”

Instead of competition, Alfea says they treat it as motivation.”We use it as fuel.”

As P-pop continues reaching larger audiences around the world, G22 dreams just as big—whether that’s performing at Lollapalooza, Madison Square Garden, Coachella, or one day headlining SMDC Festival Grounds on their own.

But despite the ambitions, the conversation always circles back to the same idea.

When asked on how they define power today compared to when they first debuted, Jaz offers how much the group has evolved.

“I think before we were still like children. It’s like energy, strength. But I think power for us now is just being the best version of yourself”

“Just being present, showing up, and being an inspiration. Whether you know you’re ‘strong’ that day, just being there and representing is already strong. It’s power,” she added.

For a group often celebrated for being fearless, G22’s greatest evolution may not be becoming stronger but allowing themselves to be seen as fully human and in doing so, they’ve quietly redefined what being an alpha truly means.

The ZEEN Team

Editor-In-Chief | Real Florido

Content Producers | Murielle Tanchanco, Currie Cator

Photographers | Mike Villamor, RJ Taningco, Justine Alegre

Editorial Writer | Francesca Bacordo

Production Manager | Allen Castro

Cover Art | Emlan Implica

Production Interns | Jane Andes, Elisha Dejapin, Jesse Dela Cruz