Press Hit Play is a Filipino boy band, consisting of CHRLS, Yuuki, JP, and Sev. They were formerly named Power House Philippines but with a mononym of PHP. The group was originally formed in 2018 but disbanded, then reformed three years later in 2021.

Press Hit Play
Also known asPHP
Power House Philippines (formerly)
OriginManila, Philippines
Genres
Years active2018–present
LabelsEvolution Media Ltd.
Members
  • CHRLS
  • Yuuki
  • JP
  • Sev
Past members
  • Zi.O
  • Yukito
  • J.O (Pre-debut)

Career

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Press Hit Play traced their connections as solo performers or part of previous cover groups in the country's P-pop community landscape. A history of countless border-crossing opportunities sharpened them and allowed winning international awards. They underwent training for at least two years. Some of the members are not new in the entertainment industry. JP Soliva and CHRLS Rodriguez were former trainees of ShowBT Entertainment. CHRLS had also trained in JU Entertainment while JP had also trained in RBW Entertainment.[1]

2021: Formation and debut

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On June 28 Press Hit Play shared a post on social media, and continued to share posts from its agency's social media account accounts their pre- debut single and debut date. On July 2, Press Hit Play changed their name on social media into Press Hit Play from PHP. On July 16, they released a first pre-debut single "Galakbay" and a pre-debut single album "PHP". On August 6, Press Hit Play officially debuted with the single "WIN", first released on digital platforms and later released their first music video on its YouTube channel. It is an anthem of encouragement and inspiration from their heartwarming brotherhood formed from former rivalry.

“We trained for two years while staying together in one house to practice more efficiently. The team first focused on dancing by learning different foundations. We also developed our stamina by doing a lot of cardio exercises. Later, we worked on enhancing and developing our vocals while learning to write and produce our songs."

— CHRLS[2]

2022: Official comeback, Yukito and Zi.O's departure

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On January 21, the group made their first official comeback. The group premieres their official come back music video "Tell Me". It was inspired by a Walt Disney movie and written about a person who is in love. Lyrically, ‘Tell Me’ was built-around the story of a person who is hopelessly in love.[3] "Tell Me" music video features “retro-pop stylings of the ‘80s sound”.

On April 10, Press Hit Play performed at the first-ever P-pop Convention (PPOP Con) at Araneta City together with other Pinoy pop artists.[4]

On April 25, it was announced that Yukito was leaving the group, it was also said that the group would still continue as a five-member group and would release a new comeback single. On July 13, Press Hit and Play became a four-member group when Zi.O, the main rapper and lead dancer left the group in pursuit of his well-being.[5] With his departure, Press Hit Play became the only active male Filipino boy group with four members.

On July 15, the group took part on the "TUGATOG: The Filipino Music Festival 2022" alongside other Filipino idol groups.[6]

2022: A year since debut

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On September 30, Press Hit Play released their single "Sambit". A song about the group journey, struggles and an inspiration to move forward and reach their dreams.[7]

On October 21, Press Hit Play released their single "Forever Young". It is a song about making the most out of life at any age.[8] The group had their first live stage performance of their single "Forever Young" on the "POPstival 2022: KPOP meets PPOP" few hours after it was released.[9]

On November 30, the group received their first ever award "PPOP Male Stars of the Night" at "The 7th Philippine Pop - PPOP AWARDS 2022".[10]

On December 6, Press Hit Play bagged their second award "Most Promising PPOP Group of the Year” at the "4th Philippine Faces of Success 2023".[11]

2023: Present

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Press Hit Play has started the year 2023 with music releases. After the group released their "Forever Young" music video, they unveiled two another singles - "MNLUV"[12] and "BALARAW".[13]

On February 26, the group performed at "GMA Kapuso Foundation's Sagip Dugtong Buhay Bloodletting Project".[14]

Members

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Current
  • CHRLS – lead vocalist, songwriter
  • JP – lead vocalist, lead dancer, songwriter, and producer
  • Sev – main vocalist
  • Yuuki – main dancer, choreographer
Former
  • Yukito (2021-2022)
  • Zi.O (2021-2022)
Pre-debut
  • J.O (2020)

Discography

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Singles

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List of singles showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
PHL
Songs
"Galakbay" 2021 Non-album singles
"Marilag"
"Yuno"
"WIN"
"Adlaw"
"Tell Me" 2022
"Sambit"
"Forever Young"
"MNLUV" 2023
"Balaraw"
"Wala Na Ba?"
"Hey Love!" 2024

Filmography

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Music videos

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2020s

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Title Year Other performer(s) credited Director(s) Description Ref.
"Galakbay" 2020 None PHP members Pre-Debut Series Galakbay - Yukito and Rhadz [15]
"Marilag" None PHP members Pre-Debut Series Marilag - Zio ft. Charles [16]
"Yuno" None PHP members Pre-Debut Series YUNO - PHP JP [17]
"WIN" 2021 None Titus Cee [18]
"Adlaw" None Press Hit Play [19]
"Tell Me" 2022 None Raymond Fabian [20]
"Sambit" None Superb Us Ent. [21]
"Forever Young" 2023 None Yuuki Ito, Cheryl Trinidad [22]
"Finggah Lickin'" Eugene Domingo Becky And Badette Original Song [23]


Awards and nominations

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Award ceremony Year Category Nominee(s)/work(s) Result Ref.
VP Choice Awards 2022 2023 VP/Spotlight of the Year Press Hit Play Nominated [24]
WPVR 2022 Year-End Pinnacle Awards 2023 Best New Artist Press Hit Play Nominated [25]
4th Philippine Faces of Success 2023 2022 Most Promising PPOP Group of the Year Press Hit Play Won [26]
PPOP Awards 2022 PPOP Boy Group of the Year Press Hit Play Nominated [27]
PPOP Male Stars of the Night Press Hit Play Won
RAWR Awards 2022 Favorite Group Press Hit Play Nominated [28]
TikTok Awards PH 2022 PPOP Group of the Year Press Hit Play Nominated [29]

References

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  1. ^ Bautista, Rafael (October 2021). "MEET PRESS HIT PLAY, THE NEWEST P-POP BOY GROUP IN TOWN". nylonmanila.com. NYLON Manila. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  2. ^ "Press Hit Play Resonates Aspiration in Continuity". villagepipol.com. Village Pipol Magazine. September 23, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  3. ^ Hicap, Jonathan. "Press Hit Play songwriter says 'Tell Me' inspired by Walt Disney movie". mb.com.ph. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  4. ^ Paige, Javier (April 11, 2022). "PPOP convention unites Ppop artists". cnnphilippines.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2022.
  5. ^ "An official statement from Superb Us Entertainment and Press Hit Play". Twitter. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  6. ^ "Tugatog fest: MNL48, BINI, BGYO to perform at MOA Arena". news.abs-cbn.com. April 13, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  7. ^ Gepollo, Alyssa (September 30, 2022). "PRESS HIT PLAY'S latest single, "Sambit", is the group's journey soundtrack". villagepipol.com. Village Pipol Magazine. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  8. ^ Team Orange. "Press Hit Play returns with their euphoric new anthem, "Forever Young"". orangemagazine.ph. Orange Magazine. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  9. ^ "Press Hit Play Are "Forever Young" In New Dance Single". arambulolive.com. Arambulo Live. October 23, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  10. ^ "PPOP MALE STARS OF THE NIGHT". facebook.com/PpopAwardsOfficial. PPOP Awards. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  11. ^ "Most Promising PPOP Group of the Year". twitter.com/PressHitPlay. Press Hit Play. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  12. ^ "MNLUV". twitter.com/PressHitPlay. Press Hit Play. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  13. ^ "BALARAW". twitter.com/PressHitPlay. Press Hit Play. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  14. ^ Ruiz, Marah. "GMA Kapuso Foundation, nakalikom ng 1,705 blood bags sa Sagip Dugtong Buhay Bloodletting Project". gmanetwork.com/. GMA Kapuso Foundation. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  15. ^ "PHP (YUKITO × RHADZ) - GALAKBAY [MV]". Press Hit Play. November 6, 2020 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ "PHP (ZIO ft. CHRLS) - MARILAG [MV]". Press Hit Play. November 14, 2020 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ "PHP JP - YUNO [MV]". Press Hit Play. December 11, 2020 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ "Press Hit Play - WIN (MV)". Press Hit Play. August 6, 2021 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ "Press Hit Play - Adlaw (MV)". Press Hit Play. December 17, 2021 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ "Press Hit Play - Tell Me (MV)". Press Hit Play. January 21, 2022 – via YouTube.
  21. ^ "Press Hit Play - Sambit (MV)". Press Hit Play. September 30, 2022 – via YouTube.
  22. ^ "Press Hit Play - Forever Young (MV)". Press Hit Play. January 6, 2023 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ Finggah Lickin' | Becky And Badette, retrieved January 11, 2024
  24. ^ "VP Choice Awards 2022: Official list of nominees". January 13, 2022.
  25. ^ "FULL LIST OF 2022 YEAR END PINNACLE AWARDS NOMINEES". January 11, 2022.
  26. ^ "4th Philippine Faces of Success 2023". December 6, 2022.
  27. ^ "Nominees unveiled for the major categories of the 7th PPOP Awards". June 15, 2022.
  28. ^ "RAWR Awards 2022". November 11, 2022.
  29. ^ Tuazon, Nikko (August 2, 2022). "Nominees at the TikTok Awards PH 2022".