Top One Project (abbreviated as T.O.P.) was a Filipinoboy band based in the Philippines, originally composed of the grand winners of GMA Network's reality show To the Top — Adrian Pascual, Joshua Jacobe, Louie Pedroso, Mico Cruz, and Miko Manguba.[1] The group signed under GMA's Artist Center and its label GMA Records after winning the competition in 2015. The group released their debut album digitally on April 28, 2016 with their carrier single, "Pag-gising".[2]
In 2015, GMA Network created To the Top, the Philippines' first multi-platform boy band competition. The competition invited talented male singers from different school organizations nationwide to form the newest boy band sensation. Eighteen contestants went through rigorous training in singing and dancing under The CompanY's Moy Ortiz, Sweet Plantado and OJ Mariano; Sonic State Audio writers and producers Chino David, Brian Lotho, Tony V and Jon Ong; Madelle and Prince Paltu-ob, and Jesse "Reflex" Gotangco of Philippine All Stars; and the Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.[3]
In the series' finale, Adrian Pascual, Joshua Jacobe, Louie Pedroso, Mico Cruz, and Miko Manguba were named the grand winners and formed Top One Project.[4] Prior to joining the contest, Manguba, Pedroso and Cruz, are veteran performers in their school glee clubs.[5] Magbanua serves as the leader of the group.[6]
2016: Debut album and concert
Top One Project's debut album, T.O.P., was released digitally on April 28, 2016, available on Spotify and iTunes.[7] Under GMA Records, T.O.P. had the chance to re-record five of the most popular songs from To the Top and an original song for the album. It features six tracks: "Bakit Ganon", "Somebody", "Kaya Ko, Kaya Mo", "Alaala", their original composition, "San Na", and carrier single, "Paggising". Most of these songs are written by known musicians in the OPM industry such as Chino David from Silent Sanctuary and Brian Lotho who are both under Sonic State Audio. "San Na" was an experimental track as the group challenges their skills in writing and music production. Louie Pedroso and Mico Cruz wrote most of the lyrics while Miko Manguba, Joshua Jacobe, and Adrian Pascual focused on the overall sound and arrangement of the song. Physical copies of the album were released on May 14, 2016 and reached the third spot on the Astro Charts for the top-selling OPM albums for the month of May.[8] Top One Project performed for almost 40,000 people on June 12, 2016 at the Philippine Arena to promote their debut album.[9]
Top One Project had their first major concert, titled T.O.P. in Concert, on October 28, 2016 at the Music Museum.[10]
In 2018, Miko Manguba transferred to GMA Records' rival record label, Star Music,[11] officially announcing the end of the group.
After months on inactivity, the band held their last concert in March.
Members
Mico Cruz
Mico C. was born Michaelangelo Ramos Cruz on (1995-01-11) January 11, 1995 (age 30)
Joshua Jacobe
Joshua was born Mark Joshua Marcelo Jacobe on (1994-07-03) July 3, 1994 (age 30)
Adrian Pascual
Adrian was born Adrian Francisco Pascual on (1998-08-21) August 21, 1998 (age 26)
Louie Pedroso
Louie was born Leonard Louie Pedroso on (1995-11-21) November 21, 1995 (age 29)
