Korean Pop (K-Pop) boybands are taking Asia and the World by storm. In an attempt to duplicate their success locally, Viva Records of the Philippines formed the first Philippine Pop (P-Pop) boyband named XLR8 (pronounced accelerate). The group is composed 8 male members namely: Adrian Muhlach, Arkin del Rosario, Caleb Santos, Carlo Lazerna, Francis Albert “Kiko” Ramos, Hideaki Torio, and the twins Meljohn and Melmar Magno.

The group had its first television appearance in GMA7′s Party Pilipinas on March 28, 2010, the date of said show’s launch. They performed the first single “You’re So Hot” from their self-titled debut album which received positive response from the audience. The group performed extremely well and I see a lot of potential in them. With proper exposure, they could make it big in the Philippines and even Asia. XLR8′s first album includes 12 tracks: You’re So Hot; Tonight’s The Night; I Wish Lang; Dance With Me; I Love You Girl; I’ll Be There; She Was Mine; Anyway; Ms. Beautiful; Precious Love; For You and; Money, Money. The group’s album is still available in music stores nationwide.

You may view their individual profiles (courtesy of Viva Records) and watch their “You’re So Hot” music video after the jump.

The members of XLR8

Adrian Muhlach

Arkin del Rosario

Caleb Santos

Boasting hot looks and exceptional acting talent, Adrian comes from the family that brought us Aga Muhlach. Yes, because he is Aga’s younger brother.

Adrian, as an actor in training join in the newest boy group from Viva, XLR8. He is one of the boys that will leave us amazed after each performance as they exhibit the ultimate teen singing and dancing power.

Aside from singing, dancing and acting Adrian or AJ knows how to play the drums and guitars very well. He also appeared in commercials like Poten Cee Vitamin C and Mama Sita BBQ Marinade Commercial, our talented hottie also dreamed of leading on a movie and get to work with his brother in a film someday—a dream he’s not so far from realizing.

Arkin may have been the youngest in the group yet he doesn’t fail to give a ray of sunshine to every conundrum XLR8 faces along their way to stardom.

At 11, he discovered that he has good singing talent, as a matter of fact he would appear regularly on professional stage plays like Florante at Laura, El Filibusterismo and Ibong Adarna among others showcasing this to awed audience. One of them would be Geleen Eugenio who would eventually introduced Arkin to Viva.

This optimist and joyous lad believe that when people point out your weaknesses and makes fun of you, it’s an opportunity for you to rise above.

In every group, there always exist a guy who always lead the prayers, the one who gives hope to every struggling moment and believes that The fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom—in XLR8, it’s no other than the humble and truly inspirational, Caleb Santos.

Caleb discovered his musical talent at a young age and apparently been enhanced by joining church choirs and school bands dedicating his passion to the Lord. Aside from singing, we can also count on him when it comes to dancing and playing the guitars and drums—it’s something so admirable about this guy who can also leave you swooning for his killer looks.

A big fan of K-pop, Caleb believes that Filipinos can also rock hard and inspire the whole world. XLR8 is focused to give power-packed entertainment and inspiration and Caleb will definitely justify to that Filipino talent.

Carlo Lazerna

Francis Albert “Kiko” Ramos

Hideaki Torio

Carlo has the creative mind who thought of naming his group XLR8. As a guy who believes that the best blaze burns the brightest when circumstances are at their worst, his creativity shines on their performance.

A pizza enthusiast, Carlo started loving singing at age 13 and would eventually appear at dance recitals and later on in Master Showman at GMA7. His musical influences include the King of Pop, Michael Jackson who he idolizes so much for creating a revolution in the music scene. He also is tremendously influenced by K-pop, J-pop and Anime Songs that he loves listening to as it gives him inspiration to conceptualize their own P-pop style.

Francis Albert Ramos or simply Kiko just used to love dance competitions on TV, he didn’t know that this enthusiasm would lead him to showcase his own style and dancing power. The boy who loved every challenging episodes of America’s Best Dance Crew and So You Think You Can Dance can also be dubbed as the hyper lad in Viva’s prided boy group, XLR8.

Not only can he dance, this boy contributes a very energetic voice to harmonize with the rest of the boys and create such enigmatic energy in their performances. Belives in “No Pain, No Gain” mantra, Kiko would definitely give his best shot for the improvement of their group. We know that he will pull it off because of his natural love to music and dancing.

Hideaki has appeared in GMA shows like SIS, SOP, Sweetlife but he’s most commonly known as the Japanese singing hottie that loves to make witty and cute commnets with Master Showman, Kuya Germs in his longest running show Walang Tulugan.

As a struggling Japanese lad that made his way to the Philippine industry, did you know that he loves to study English and Filipino—his interest at par with playing guitars. Dubbed as the ‘pinakamakulit’ in the group, Hideaki or Aki didn’t find it hard to mingle with the boys inspite of the language barrier.

A big fan of Westlife, this guy is a walking package—he loves to dance and indeed an asset to XLR8. Believes that time is really gold, he also revels in the knowledge that there still are lots of honest and friendly people everywhere.

Meljohn Magno

Melmar Magno

Meljohn or MJ is one of the Magno twins who definitely deserves the right to be in Viva’s newest boy group, XLR8.

At a very young age of 16, MJ know that he loves singing and performing in front of many people. Together with his twin MM, they usually perform in special family occasions to the amazement of their relatives and later on would take voice lessons to improve their craft.

His looks can be associated with that of Koreans but he loves exhibiting his own style—as a matter of fact, aside from playing numerous musical instruments like drums, organ and guitars we can consider him an ace in composing new songs.

He has appeared in GMA shows like Sis, Walang Tulugan and All-Star K. Watch him rock the stage with the boys as he know how o give the best shot for this opportunity and he knows how to make good use of it.

His looks can be truly identical to his twin, MJ. Although they both made it to XLR8, MJ got his very own style to boast.

An optimist that loves dancing and playing musical instruments, MM has appeared into various celebrated shows like ASAP ’09, Wowowee, Tayong Dalawa, SIS, Master Showman, All Star K and The Buzz. A self-confessed showbiz addict, this guy got the looks and wit to make it to the business.

Started singing at the age 6, he was a veteran joining school competition that helps him improve his trade. Together with the rest of the boys, MM will make you swoon and want for more in every powerful performance.