RAMONA Is Giving Pop-Rock Its Main Character Moment

There is something exciting happening in OPM right now. Filipino artists are not just making good music, they are building entire worlds around it. And with RAMONA, Andrea Brillantes may have created one of the most interesting ones yet.

If you grew up listening to Paramore, Avril Lavigne, or practically anything that made you want to dramatically sing your heart out in your bedroom, RAMONA might feel a little familiar. There is something nostalgic about her music, from the guitars to the attitude and the unapologetically theatrical presentation. But rather than simply bringing back an old sound, she is finding a way to make it her own.

Most Filipinos know Andrea Brillantes as Blythe, the actress who practically grew up in front of the cameras. But RAMONA introduces us to another side of her, one that seems louder, bolder, and far less interested in playing by anyone else's rules.

Following the release of “Laguna” and “GAGA,” RAMONA continues building her musical identity with “Manloloko,” an infectious pop-punk anthem about recognizing your worth and finally walking away from a relationship that no longer serves you.

RAMONA’s “Manloloko” is out now on all major digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. The music video will drop on October 2, 2026, at 6:00 P.M.

The song takes the frustration of loving the wrong person and turns it into something energetic, rebellious, and surprisingly fun. Instead of dwelling on heartbreak, RAMONA transforms it into a declaration of independence.

And that is what makes this particular musical direction interesting. RAMONA is not simply releasing songs. She is developing a character with a personality, an aesthetic, and a story that audiences can follow.

The music video for “Manloloko” takes that storytelling even further, presenting RAMONA as a runaway bride who chooses herself over a relationship that has caused her pain. It is dramatic, theatrical, and exactly the kind of visual storytelling that makes pop music more exciting.

There is also something refreshing about seeing a young Filipina artist embrace this kind of sound. While OPM continues to evolve across genres, RAMONA's bubblegum-punk direction reminds us that there is still room for distorted guitars, unapologetic femininity, and a little rebellion.

It brings back the energy of the pop-rock era many of us grew up loving, while giving younger listeners an opportunity to experience that sound through a new personality.

Of course, RAMONA is still in the early stages of establishing herself as a musical identity. But with “Laguna,” “GAGA,” and now “Manloloko,” we are beginning to see a clearer picture of the world Andrea Brillantes wants to create.

And perhaps that is the most exciting part. OPM is alive, Filipino artists are experimenting, and there is an entire generation of performers finding new ways to express themselves.

RAMONA is just getting started.