ALON’s Arial Manuel juggles college and his P-Pop dream

For ALON member Arial Manuel, the road to becoming a P-pop idol comes with another responsibility he is equally determined to fulfill: finishing college.

Now a second-year Media and Entertainment Management student at the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), Arial is balancing two demanding commitments: university classes and the rigorous training required of a member of the P-pop boy group.

His journey into P-pop began in April 2025, when he auditioned for a P-pop training program. After several callbacks and rounds of selection, he secured a place in the program that would eventually form ALON, the youngest P-pop boy group under Viva Artists Agency.

The timing, however, was far from convenient. His acceptance came just as the new school year was about to begin, forcing him to adjust his schedule to accommodate both his academic commitments and training.

In a video shared on UA&P’s social media accounts, Arial opened up about the demands of juggling both, with his days often starting with classes before moving straight into rehearsals.

Classroom to stage

“My typical school days are usually at like 7 to 3 PM And then it’s followed by training usually because we have training three to four times a week,” he shared.

Beyond attending classes and rehearsals, the young performer still has to make time for homework, studying, and other university requirements when he gets home.

“Getting back at home, it’s kind of hard to juggle both and have these academic responsibilities like homework and reviewing for things,” he admitted.

Despite his packed schedule, Arial sees his college course as particularly relevant to his chosen career. Rather than treating school and performing as competing priorities, he believes the two experiences complement each other.

ALON’s debut awaits

“I think this MEM program fits me so well because this early in the industry and this early in college, I’m already able to integrate the learnings I have from the classroom to the stage and the learnings I have from the stage to the classroom,” he explained.

For him, the connection goes beyond applying classroom lessons to his performances. His experiences as an entertainer also give him a different perspective on what he learns in school.

While admitting that balancing both commitments can be challenging, Arial said the fulfillment he gets from pursuing something he genuinely loves makes the demanding routine worthwhile.

“It’s kind of challenging, but of course it’s the most fun. It’s the most fulfilling thing ever,” he said.

Taking on both worlds

“When you’re doing something that you like, something that you love, something that’s from your heart, it’s gonna feel easy, it’s gonna feel relaxed,” he added.

As his P-pop journey continues, Arial is also looking forward to another milestone with ALON as the group prepares to release its debut single, “Sige Na, Crush.”

The seven-member group has already performed the upbeat track at several appearances, with its official release expected on digital streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.

Aside from preparing for their debut, ALON has been introducing its music and performances to wider audiences through appearances at the NCAA Season 102 Grand Opening, ZPPSU Open Field, Oktoberfest 2026, and GMA’s “All-Out Sundays.”