Chelsy Aguilar becomes the ‘Bagong Maria Clara’ she sings about

The former P-pop member reintroduces herself while balancing life as wife and mom of three.

There are dreams that keep calling even after life takes you somewhere else.

Before her solo performances, bar tours, motherhood and “Bagong Maria Clara,” Aguilar was the youngest member of P-pop group Maria Clara New Generation, which she and her fellow members pursued as early as 2014, when P-pop had yet to take root in the Philippines.

More than a decade later, she finds herself beginning again, carrying years of experience, a family, three children and a clearer sense of purpose.

A dream that refused to end

“Way back 2014 pa ang group na ‘yon. Wala pang P-pop noon, dream na talaga namin maging P-pop kahit hindi pa ganon kumakagat ang P-pop sa Pilipinas,” she recalled.

The group released albums and performed out of town before conflicts between their road manager and producers eventually pulled them into the middle.

“Okay naman kami. Nakakapaglabas kami ng album, may shows kami out of town. Kaya lang sa katagalan, nagkaro’n ng issue ang RM (road manager) namin sa mga producers, lumaki, syempre nadawit na rin kami.”

“Bago ka makipag-negotiate sa mga producers, sa mga tao, dapat talaga black and white. Dapat very clear ang conditions, dapat fair ang lahat,” she said.

Asked if she would reunite with the group, Aguilar laughed.

“Okay ‘yong grupo namin. Siguro kung makakabalik kami, makakasabay din kami,” she said, before joking, “Pero kasi matatanda na rin kami ngayon.”

A new Maria Clara

Aguilar channels that history into “Bagong Maria Clara,” a three-track EP released Aug. 12, 2026.

Inspired by her former group, the project reimagines the traditional Filipina archetype by challenging the idea that women should only be gentle.

“Hindi ka dapat laging mahinhin,” Aguilar explained. “Ipakita mo na higit ka sa pagiging babae lang.”

“This project is about honoring where we come from while expanding what it means to be a Filipina today,” Aguilar said. “Gusto ko ipakita sa mga kabataan ngayon na hindi pwedeng soft at mahinhin ka lang, dapat ipakita nating kaya natin maging independent, kaya natin higitan ang lahat bilang mga babae.”

She worked with live band Time Machine, combining P-pop melodies with drums, guitars and saxophone.

When passion knocks on your door

radar Entertainment sat down with Aguilar during a break in her gig at Saguijo Bar in Makati City.

“Hindi ganu’n kadali kunin atensyon ng mga tao,” she admitted. “Kaya kapag nagpapakilala ako, lumalabas ako sa comfort zone ko.”

Motherhood adds another layer. Aguilar has a child with autism spectrum disorder and two younger children who are still babies.

“Sobrang nakakapagod,” she said. “Kapag may ganitong events, ganitong gigs, hindi talaga pwedeng walang mahahanap na tagabantay sa mga bata.”

“Sa bahay palang sobrang piga na ko. Pagod na pagod ako kasi nag-asikaso ako, nagluto ako, nagpaka-Nanay ako.”

Yet she still performs at night.

“Minsan pagdating mo sa show, pagod ka pa rin pero pagsampa ko palang ng stage, parang magically nawala ang pagod na ‘yon.”

“Kaya kapag talaga passion mo, ‘yon na ang pinakapahinga mo e.”

“‘Yong show na binigay mo sa tao, ‘yon ang nakakatanggal ng pagod. Imbes na bumagsak ako, imbes na tumigil ako, mas gumagaan ang pakiramdam ko kapag nailalabas ko ‘yong passion ko.”

For Aguilar, starting over does not erase the distance already traveled.

She dreams of sharing a stage with KZ Tandingan and Yeng Constantino.

“Mapapagod ka dahil tao ka,” she said, “pero at the end of the day, masaya ang puso mo.”

Aguilar offers a reminder: the dream does not have to happen all at once.

“Kaya sa mga kabataan ngayon, lagi n’yong tatandaan na ang sarap sa feeling na nafufulfill mo pa rin ang sigaw ng puso mo, maski pa nakakapagod, maski pa parang wala nang nanood.”

Catch Aguilar on Oct. 5 at 19 East in Muntinlupa City at a show featuring Kitchie Nadal, Megan Tarce, Time Machine, Bit Valley and other surprise guests.

“Bagong Maria Clara” is available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and other major streaming platforms.

READ: