The OG P-pop Boy Group XLR8 Returns as X8 With “Enchantress”

Some things just never go out of style. And if you’ve been a fan of the local music scene long enough, this comeback is going to hit you right in the feels.

XLR8, the group widely known as the first ever P-pop boy band in the Philippines, has officially announced their return to the spotlight. They are now rebranded as X8. After more than a decade since their disbandment, these trailblazers are making their long-awaited comeback with a new single called “Enchantress,” which drops on May 15, 2025.

In an X (Twitter) post, the group thanked Sony Music Philippines for distributing their new music and making this comeback possible. And just like that, the countdown began.

But before we dive into what’s next, let’s rewind a little.

The Story So Far: From XLR8 to X8

It all started back in 2008 when Vic Del Rosario of VIVA Records decided it was time for the Philippines to have its very own boy band. One by one, he handpicked a group of talented young performers. First came stage performer Kiko Ramos, followed by TV host Hideaki Torio, commercial models Carlo Lazerna and Caleb Santos, and theater actor Arkin del Rosario. Then came twin brothers Melmar (MM) and Meljohn (MJ) Magno. The last to complete the lineup was AJ Muhlach, who joined as a VIVA contract talent.

After intensive training in singing and dancing, the group made their big debut as XLR8 on March 28, 2010, performing their catchy first single “You’re So Hot” on the variety show Party Pilipinas. It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Critics weren’t always kind, and there was even some buzz accusing them of copying Super Junior’s “Sorry, Sorry,” which, to be fair, was never confirmed by either camp. But through it all, the group kept pushing, showing up at mall tours and concerts and earning themselves a loyal fanbase.

In 2011, things hit a bump when members Hideaki Torio and AJ Muhlach temporarily left to film a TV series, which eventually led to complications with their appearance on GMA shows. Substitutes were brought in, and after a little more time, the group quietly disbanded in 2012.

And that was that. Until now.

The Comeback: 12 Years Later

Twelve years is a long time, but fans never really let go. And clearly, neither did the members.

Now going by X8, the group has kept its core but trimmed down its roster. The comeback lineup includes original members Kiko Ramos, Carlo Lazerna, Caleb Santos, and MM Magno. These four have been working behind the scenes, rehearsing, recording, and rebuilding the dream from the ground up.

The upcoming track, “Enchantress,” marks a brand new chapter for the group. This is not just a comeback. It is a reinvention. While they’re staying quiet on the full concept for now, the title alone has fans guessing everything from mystical vibes to seductive pop flair. Whatever it ends up being, it is bound to be packed with nostalgia and that polished edge they’ve been cooking up all these years.

And with Sony Music Philippines now backing their distribution, they’re entering this new era with a whole new level of firepower.

Why This Matters

Before the current hype, XLR8 walked so today’s P-pop stars could run. They helped introduce the concept of an all-out idol group to the local scene, complete with coordinated outfits, synchronized choreo, and a fandom-first mindset.

We even mentioned them recently in our coverage of GAT’s viral reboot of “Daleng Dale,” a track originally released by MMJ, the side duo project of XLR8’s very own Magno twins. That throwback already had fans buzzing, and now with X8 officially back, it feels like the full circle moment nobody saw coming but everybody is loving.

Whether you were there from the start or you’re just now discovering them, one thing is for sure. This is not just a comeback. It is a full circle moment in P-pop history.

So save the date. May 15. X8 is back, and they’re about to enchant a whole new generation.