Unang Putok
| Unang Putok | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 26, 2002 | |||
| Recorded | 2002 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 36:55 | |||
| Language |
| |||
| Label | BMG Records (Pilipinas) | |||
| Producer | Lito Camo, Papa V | |||
| SexBomb Girls chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Unang Putok | ||||
| ||||
Unang Putok is the debut studio album of Filipino dance-pop group the SexBomb Girls, released on July 26, 2002, through BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc., under its Musiko Records imprint and produced by Lito Camo and Papa V. The album marked the group's transition from television dancers on the noontime show Eat Bulaga! to recording artists with widespread commercial success.[1]
The album contains ten tracks, with "Bakit Papa?" as its carrier single. The album was a commercial success in the Philippine market, achieving quadruple platinum certification (4× Platinum) from the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI).[2]
Background and release
Prior to the release of Unang Putok, the SexBomb Girls were primarily known as a troupe of backup dancers on the long-running Philippine noontime variety show Eat Bulaga! on GMA Network.[3] Formed in 1999 by choreographer Joy Cancio, the group gained early attention for their high-energy routines and interactive chants such as “Get! Get! Aw!” and “Laban o Bawi”, becoming regulars on the show's popular segments and gradually building a massive fan following among television audiences.[4][3]
The first attempt of creating a singing compartment for SexBomb occurred in 2001 with Rochelle Pangilinan (the group leader), Jopay Paguia, Evette Pabalan, Weng Ibarra, Izzy Trazona, Sugar Mercado and Aibee Chiongson.[5] However, due to Chiongson and Mercado's departure from the group, this first attempt dissolved quickly. In 2002, their management again attempted to form two groups separating the singers and dancers, hence, The SexBomb Singers and The SexBomb Dancers were formed. The SexBomb Dancers was headed by Aira Bermudez while The SexBomb Singers was headed by main leader Rochelle Pangilinan.[6][3] The final singers consist of Rochelle Pangilinan, Evette Pabalan, Jopay Paguia, Weng Ibarra, Monic Icban and Izzy Trazona. However, collectively the group is still called as The SexBomb Girls including all release and promotional materials and projects of The SexBomb Singers.[5][3]
As commentators note, the group's move from background dancers to novelty recording artists was a key shift that amplified their cultural impact beyond Eat Bulaga! and laid the groundwork for their debut album.[4] The album was produced by songwriter Lito Camo and Papa V and was released in the Philippines on July 26, 2002, with "Bakit Papa?" as their lead single.[7]
The album's lead single, “Bakit Papa?”, was released ahead of the full album and quickly gained traction through frequent exposure on Eat Bulaga!, where it was regularly performed with accompanying choreography. The song's repetitive hook and call-and-response structure made it particularly suited to mass participation, contributing to its rapid spread among television viewers and live audiences.[8]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bakit Papa?" |
|
| 3:33 |
| 2. | "Pretty Little Baby" |
| Papa Zu | 2:57 |
| 3. | "Crush Kita" |
| Papa Zu | 3:26 |
| 4. | "Stupid Ka Rin" | Lito Camo |
| 4:49 |
| 5. | "Dancing Queen" | Rudy Y. Tee | 3:49 | |
| 6. | "Venus" |
|
| 3:50 |
| 7. | "Di Ko Na Mapipigilan" | Lito Camo | Papa Zu | 3:47 |
| 8. | "Tulog Na Baby" | Raymund Ryan | Papa Zu | 3:31 |
| 9. | "Tequila" | Norman Caraan |
| 3:01 |
| 10. | "Mickey" |
| 4:08 | |
| Total length: | 36:55 | |||
Samples, adaptations and covers
- "Pretty Little Baby"
- is a cover of the 1962 song originally recorded by American pop singer Connie Francis. The original version was a commercially successful release in the early 1960s and has since been covered and adapted by various artists internationally. The SexBomb Girls’ rendition reinterprets the song in a dance-pop and novelty-pop style with the verses rewritten into Tagalog language.[9]
- "Venus"
- is a cover version of the classic pop song originally recorded by the Dutch group Shocking Blue and later popularized internationally by Bananarama. The SexBomb Girls’ rendition showcases Tagalog lyrics.[10]
- "Dancing Queen"
- "Mickey"
- is a cover of the early 1980s pop hit originally recorded by Tony Basil.[12]
- "Tequila"
- is a cover of the 1958 instrumental hit originally recorded by The Champs. The song was adapted into a dance-oriented novelty track, retaining the recognizable hook.[13]
- "Di Ko Na Mapipigilan"
- is a Tagalog cover of the Eurobeat song “Stop the Music” by Sophie, supporting the interpretation of it as an adaptation rather than an original composition.[14]
Commercial performance
Unang Putok itself was a major commercial success, earning quadruple platinum certification (4× Platinum) from the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) or sales of over 120,000 units — a significant achievement for a debut pop album in the early 2000s.[8][15][16] This performance established the group as recording artists in their own right and signaled a successful transition from their origins as dancers to fully featured performers in the Original Pilipino Music scene.[17]
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines | July 26, 2002 | CD | BMG Records (Pilipinas) | [2] |
| cassette |
References
- ^ "The Sexbomb Girls' hits compiled". Philstar. Philstar. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Get, get, aw!: The Sexbomb Girls and their explosive influence". Vantage Magazie. Vantage Magazine. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d "A history of The SexBomb Girls, according to their founder and former manager". CNN Philippines Life. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ a b Merez, Arriane. "How the Sexbomb Girls Raised a 'Laban' Generation". SPOT Philippines. SPOT Philippines. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ^ a b Catienza, Cleo (14 April 2023). "The P-pop herstory: A retrospective look into the P-pop girl group transformation". Inquirer. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ Siazon, Rachelle. "Rochelle Pangilinan on protecting Sexbomb Girls". PEP. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
- ^ "Suspek sa Litrato at Lito Camo sa Tunay na Buhay". GMA Network. GMA Network. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Rochelle 'no show' sa Sexbomb 'EB' reunion". Abante. Abante. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ^ "Pretty Little Baby – Connie Francis". AllMusic.
- ^ "VENUS". GEMA – Members — Online Database – Musical Works. GEMA. Archived from the original on 17 December 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
- ^ Sheridan, Simon (22 May 2012). The Complete Abba. Titan Books. ISBN 978-0857687241. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ Day, Adrienne (17 August 2012). "Vulture Investigates: Is Toni Basil's 'Mickey' Really About...Well, You Know?". Vulture. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ^ Grobaty, Tim. "Danny Flores Remembered". Spectropop. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- ^ Severo, Jan Milo. "'Halukay Ube' or 'Spageti'? SexBomb songs beloved by generations of Pinoys". PhilStar. PhilStar. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ^ Pareño, Elijah (September 2025). "5 Underrated Holiday Songs to Break Up the Philippine 'Ber Months Routine". Rolling Stone Philippines. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
- ^ Catienza, Kleo. "The P-pop herstory: A retrospective look into the P-pop girl group transformation". Inquirer. Inquirer. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ^ Ruiz Mara (10 September 2020). "WATCH: Rochelle Pangilinan, sumasayaw ng SexBomb Girls Christmas song habang nagluluto". GMA Network. Retrieved 17 January 2026.