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From captivating audiences as a member of a P-pop group to winning over listeners through heartfelt cover releases, Ashtine Olviga is stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist with the release of her debut extended play, Love Like Ashtine.

The six-track project marks a defining milestone in Ashtine’s evolving career, offering her most personal musical statement to date. More than an introduction to her artistry as a solo act, Love Like Ashtine reflects the experiences, emotions, and growth that have shaped her journey. It presents a confident yet intimate portrait of an artist embracing her own identity, balancing youthful charm with emotional depth.

Across its six songs, the EP explores a wide-ranging sonic landscape while showcasing the versatility of Ashtine’s vocals. It opens with the breezy pop energy of “Hinga,” eases into the smooth, groove-driven “This Way,” and takes a more mysterious turn with “enno.” The record then shifts toward emotional vulnerability through the heartfelt ballad “Nasaan Ka Na?” and the acoustic warmth of “Dito Lang Tayo,” before concluding with the bright and affectionate pop anthem “Love Like U,” leaving listeners with an uplifting celebration of love and self-expression.

Helping shape the project’s distinct sound is acclaimed songwriter and producer Thyro Alfaro, whose creative direction serves as a driving force behind the EP. Under his production, each track is tailored to highlight Ashtine’s vocal strengths while allowing her personality to shine through, resulting in a cohesive collection that effortlessly moves between infectious pop hooks and emotionally resonant storytelling.

With Love Like Ashtine, Ashtine confidently establishes herself as more than a former group performer—she emerges as a compelling solo artist with a clear artistic identity and a promising future in OPM.

Fans will soon have the opportunity to experience the EP live when she takes the stage for her first major solo concert at the New Frontier Theater on August 22, bringing this new chapter of her musical journey directly to audiences.

Not every love story begins with fireworks. Sometimes, it starts with a passing glance in a school hallway, a mutual follow on social media, or a greeting that never evolves into a real conversation.

Those quiet, unresolved moments—the ones that linger long after graduation—take center stage in AJ Colico’s newest single, “Hi Hello,” a nostalgic pop ballad that captures the emotional weight of missed chances, first love, and the courage it takes to rewrite a story years in the making.

Released under iMe Philippines, the track finds the rising singer, actor, and digital creator leaning into vulnerability, transforming one of Gen Z’s most relatable experiences into a song that feels deeply personal yet universally familiar.

At its core, Hi Hello follows two people whose lives repeatedly intersect from high school through adulthood. Every encounter begins the same way—with a simple greeting—but fear, timing, and uncertainty prevent either of them from taking the next step. As the years pass, their connection becomes another unfinished chapter built on lingering questions and unrealized possibilities.

“I think everyone has that one person they never really forgot,” Colico said. “Maybe it was your high school crush or someone you only got to say ‘hi’ to. I hope people listen to this song and remember that sometimes, all it takes is a little courage to change your story.”

It’s a sentiment that resonates with a generation accustomed to living somewhere between real life and the digital world. Relationships today often begin with a follow request, a story reaction, or a message left unsent. While technology has made communication easier than ever, it has also amplified hesitation, leaving countless connections suspended in the space between curiosity and confession.

That emotional landscape is what makes Hi Hello feel particularly timely.

The song reflects what many listeners might recognize as their own “Hi Hello” era—a period defined not by relationships that flourished, but by the ones that almost did.

Maybe it’s the classmate whose smile you still remember years later. Maybe it’s the person whose profile occasionally appears on your feed, prompting thoughts of what could have happened had either of you spoken first. Or perhaps it’s the realization that saying “hi” was never the difficult part—it was finding the courage to continue the conversation.

The track also introduces the symbolic idea that everyone has a “Katie”—not necessarily someone by that name, but the person who quietly became life’s greatest “what if.” They’re the face that remained unforgettable despite never becoming part of your story, the memory carried not because of what happened, but because of everything that didn’t.

Rather than dwelling on regret, however, Hi Hello offers something more hopeful. It suggests that every meaningful connection begins with an ordinary moment, and sometimes the smallest act of courage can change the course of a story that has remained unfinished for years.

The single was officially launched on July 28, 2026, through a special event held in partnership with TikTok Philippines, where fans, fellow creators, and invited guests gathered to celebrate its release. More than a launch party, the event reflected Colico’s growing influence as he continues expanding his creative identity beyond digital platforms.

Known to many as a content creator and performer, Colico has steadily built a multifaceted career that bridges entertainment and music. His recent milestones include representing the Philippines at the TopKlout 10th K-World Influencer Summit in China and meeting supporters during the successful Dylan and AJ Colico Fanverse Experience Meet & Greet. With Hi Hello, he adds another layer to his artistry—one rooted in honest storytelling and emotional authenticity.

While first-love songs are hardly new to pop music, Hi Hello distinguishes itself by embracing the beauty of incompletion. Instead of celebrating happily-ever-afters, it finds meaning in unanswered questions, missed timing, and the quiet hope that some stories are still waiting for their next chapter.

For anyone who’s ever replayed an old memory, hesitated before pressing “send,” or wondered where life might have led if they had simply spoken up, AJ Colico’s latest single serves as both a reminder and an invitation.

Sometimes, the biggest stories begin with the smallest words.

Hi Hello by AJ Colico is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other major music streaming platforms.