Following the announcement of the upcoming second single at a mall show in Muntinlupa City on Saturday, MNL48 has revealed in a Facebook post its new Senbatsu lineup.
The new Senbatsu, or the Top 16 members, will take part in the upcoming second single as its front-liners. MNL48 members Brei, Belle, Coleen, Rans, Lei, Mari, Jan and Kay have been chosen to join previous Senbatsu members Ella, Faith, Alyssa, Jem, Gabb, Sela, Abby and Sheki for the said single.
Meanwhile, Sheki was chosen to be the Center again for the second single. Sheki was the first member of MNL48 to hold the Center position after winning the General Election in April.
“I feel so blessed that I’m still the Center Girl for this next single. I’m very happy that there are still some people who believe in me and my capabilities to inspire through my talent and of course, our beautiful music. As the first Center Girl of MNL48, I want to leave a mark,” Sheki said.
Details about the second single are yet to be announced. However, a representative of the idol group revealed to the media during the “Aitakatta – Gustong Makita” press launch last August that another single is planned to be released within the year.
In an exclusive interview with Anime Pilipinas, Hallohallo Entertainment President (HHE) and MNL48 Producer Paulo Kurosawa also said that the second single will cater to another target market.
Music Video shoot at the Philippine Children’s Summit
Prior to the announcement of the second single, a new music video was shot during the Philippine Children’s Summit held at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City last October 27.
MNL48 was set to entertain thousands of students from various schools at the said event. However, the all-Pinay idol group surprised everyone by revealing that the attendees will take part in their new music video.
After performing songs from their first single, the idol group, through their dance coach, taught the attendees the steps of the Tagalized version of another AKB48 hit.
Fans who were at the event were surprised to find out the new Senbatsu starring in the MV, which was then officially revealed yesterday.
Handshake event date announced
Aside from the second single and new Senbatsu lineup, the date for the upcoming handshake event was also announced at the Starmall Alabang mall show.
MNL48’s second handshake event is set to take place on November 18, 2018, but the venue is yet to be announced.
Tickets for the handshake event can be availed by purchasing a copy of the Aitakatta – Gustong Makita single. It also contains three songs and its instrumental versions, as well as the track list and complete song lyrics.
The handshake event was originally planned for September but has been moved back to November.
Aitakatta – Gustong Makita is the Filipino cover song of AKB48’s third single “Aitakatta”, which was released under DefSTAR Records in October 2006.
The song is regarded as the idol group’s signature song, which was even performed in the New Year’s Eve musical event NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen in 2007.
MNL48 is an international sister group of AKB48 following previous units namely JKT48 and BNK48. The Manila-based idol group is set to perform daily on its own theater, continuing AKB48’s concept of “idols you can meet.”
AKB48 was formed in 2005, regularly hosting events where fans can interact with its members, including taking pictures or shaking hands. Since then, they have been one of the most successful girl groups in the world, releasing several singles and albums which are being sold in millions worldwide.
The Filipino idol group is managed by HalloHallo Entertainment, in cooperation with media conglomerate ABS-CBN.
