CinemaBravo

Four-piece Pinoy girl group 4th Impact is back in the Philippines to start the year with a bang bang! They recently dazzled the audience of SM North EDSA Skydome on January 21 with an album launch of their self-titled extended play (EP) as they revealed that they have proceeded as self-managed artists for the time being.

This comes after a triumphant series of tours in the US and the UK, as well as the numerous successful local shows.

The renowned pride of the Philippines is a product of X Factor Season 12 and they recently bagged the 2023 Philippine Pop Top Global Artist of the Year award.

The sensational group consists of sisters Almira, Celina, Irene, and Mylene.

Their impact on fans

During the press interview before their album launch-cum-concert, CinemaBravo asked about the four sisters about some anecdotes on how their music and art impacted their fans.

Almira shared, “Sabi po nila we changed their lives kasi we are giving them light and hope. Alam n’yo po, noong nag-US kami, malungkot po pala talaga do’n. Kaya naka-relate kami sa a lot of Dreamers [their fans] namin living in the United States and different parts of the world.”

(“They said that we changed their lives because we are giving them light and hope. You know, when we went to the US, it was really sad there. That’s why we can relate to a lot of Dreamers [their fans] living in the United States and different parts of the world.”)

She also thought Filipinos are the best humans in the world, citing reasons such as our constant smiles and strong family bonds.

“Kasi we always smile, we have our families… Punta ka lang diyan, pwede kang magkwek-kwek, pwede kang mag-tricycle, but sa ibang bansa po talagang tini-take nila so much seriously ang life… Hindi na nila nae-enjoy ang life.

(“Because we always smile, we have our families… You just go practically anywhere and eat quail eggs on the sidewalk or ride a tricycle, but in other countries, they really take life so much more seriously… They no longer enjoy life.)

“Sinasabi po nilang, (They say,) you guys, changed our lives, you brighten up our lives by singing for them, our music inspired them.”

Celina, on another hand, recalled an amusing story from a fan.

“Naaalala ko po merong isang Dreamer na nag-message sa amin na nakita niya raw po yung video namin while he’s in the hospital daw po before siya operahan… i-heart surgery, and then nagse-search lang siya sa Internet and then our ‘Bang Bang’ popped up po.

“I remember there was a Dreamer who messaged us, saying that he saw our video while he was in the hospital before his heart surgery… and then he was just searching on the Internet, and our ‘Bang Bang’ popped up.

“From then, sinubaybayan niya na daw po kami. During daw po ng surgery niya, parang na-inspire po siya and kami yung pini-play niyang music and pinapanood kaya mas mabilis yung recovery niya. Nakakataba po ng puso… gano’n pala yung impact namin sa mga tao.”

“From then on, he said he started following us. During his surgery, he was inspired, and he played our music and watched us, which he believes helped speed up his recovery. It warms the heart… that’s the kind of impact we have on people.”

Dealing with online bashing

4th Impact has their own share of online hatred. Sometimes they shut it off, but there are also times when they lock themselves up to express their emotions and collect themselves after facing criticism. CinemaBravo also asked about the worst words they have heard from netizens.

Irene quipped, “Meron pong isa. Kamukha raw ni Mylene si Vice Ganda.”

(“There’s this one in which they said Mylene looks like Vice Ganda.”)

Mylene: “Hindi yan yung natatawa tayo, di ba? Meron pa. Yung mga mukha raw tayong orinola.”

(“That’s not what we laugh about, right? There’s more. They even say our faces look like urinals.”)

Irene: “Mukha daw kaming inidoro… Yun po yung mga latest: ang papangit daw po namin, wala po daw kaming star quality, matatanda na daw po kami, mga tita daw kami ng P-pop.”

(“They say we look like toilets… Those are the latest: they say we’re ugly, we don’t have star quality, they say we’re already old, calling us the aunties of P-pop.)

Irene was almost teary-eyed as she continued,“‘Bakit sobrang tagal n’yo na, hindi pa kayo naggi-give up, parang wala naman kayong pupuntahan…’ Parang ang dali lang po sa mga tao na magsabi ng ‘Mag-give up ka na! Mag-give up na kayo, 4th Impact!’

(“‘Why have you been doing this for so long? Why haven’t you given up? It’s like you’re not going anywhere…’ It seems so easy for people to say, ‘Give up! Give up already, 4th Impact!’)

“Gusto ko po silang tanungin, ‘Bakit napakadali sa inyong sabihin na mag-give up na lang kami?’ Sa dami po ng pinagdaanan naming hirap na magkakapatid. Instead of lifting [us] up and bigyan n’yo po kami ng courage pa… yun po yung masakit talaga. Talagang iniyak namin yong magkakapatid.”

(“I want to ask them, ‘Why is it so easy for you to say that we should just give up?’ With all the hardships we, as siblings, have been through. Instead of lifting us up and giving us courage… that’s what really hurts. We, as siblings, really cried about it.”)

Celina: “Ang gusto lang naman po namin ay mai-present ang Philippines, na maitaas ang bandera ng Philippines.”

(“What we really want is to represent the Philippines, to raise the flag of the Philippines.”)

Almira: “Talagang may mga taong they are meant to hate someone… Nandoon na kami sa realization na talagang we can never please anyone.”

(“There are really people who are meant to hate someone… We have reached the realization that we can never please everyone.”)

About their self-titled album

The songs in their album were written by American composers and the experience was a dream come true for Mylene.

The group also treats this album showcase to thank their supporters for their undying support as they gradually come back to the performing stage and manifest to have a concert this year and plans to bring their album showcase in the U.S.

Some local artists also performed on the said launch including boy group Press Hit Play or PHP, Tawag ng Tanghalan contender Gleenette Gaddi, FLM artist Oliver Agustin, and the one and only Philippines’ RnB King Jay R.

The 4th Impact Album Launch is produced by Fourth Impact Music Productions, and directed by the notable TV and concert director Frank Lloyd Mamaril.

The album is now out everywhere. You may stream the EP in all digital platforms or get your own physical CD or vinyl through their official website at www.official4thimpact.com.