Bittersweet feelings — this is how Sheki Arzaga described her emotions as she bid farewell to MNL48 during her final performance as a member of the group at the Reboot and Rise event over the weekend.

Arzaga, the former overall captain of MNL48, will leave the P-pop idol group after seven years.

“Happy and excited for what's next for MNL48. Super excited kung ano ang next step nila, new music and of course next MNL48 — ano ba ang new era nila — but at the same time, ito rin ang farewell ko. So, sobrang bittersweet kasi ito na ang last performance ko after 7 years ko dito sa group. Parang sobrang sad lang na kailangan ko na siya i-let go,” she revealed in an interview with The DAILY TRIBUNE.

(I’m happy and excited for what’s next for MNL48 — their next step, new music, and of course the next version of MNL48. What will their new era look like? But at the same time, this is also my farewell. It’s really bittersweet because this is my last performance after seven years with the group. It’s just really sad that I have to let it go.)

According to Arzaga, she began exploring her musicality in 2022 with the Japanese-American agency in Los Angeles, Superball Inc. management team she is now part of.

“Last 2022, kinuha rin po ako na solo artist ng Japanese management and US-based po kami. So habang member po ako, ini-establish ko na rin po ang career ko as a solo artist. Isa rin po ito sa mga factor kaya rin po ako nag-decide to leave MNL48 — is of course to grow and to explore kung ano pa ang next for me and ma-expand ko pa ang music ko,” she revealed.

(Back in 2022, I was signed as a solo artist by a Japanese management team based in the U.S. So even while I was still a member, I was already working on establishing my solo career. That was also one of the factors why I decided to leave MNL48 — to grow, to explore what’s next for me, and to expand my music.)

As MNL48 enters a new musical era, Arzaga officially says goodbye to the group. She also shared her thoughts on the comparisons they receive from other local musicians who share their music with fans.

“Ako siguro, meron kasi ako sa utak na ayoko magpaka-kampante palagi. I know na hindi ako iyung pinaka-magaling kumanta, sumayaw, magsalita. Pero kasi, ang gusto ko lang matutunan ng MNL48 — and alam ko naman na nasa utak ng girls iyon — na kahit anong differences at comparison ang maranasan namin, kasi alam naman namin na maraming magagaling, especially with P-pop. Pero I just want them to know na always remind themselves na mag-focus sila kung saan ang strength nila. Kasi mayroon na silang fan base, so pangalagaan na lang nila. Iba rin ang genre namin — not like K-pop or P-pop — mayroon kaming sariling genre. And I think, kailangan lang namin i-embody, kasi kung mahihiya ka, wala rin mararating ang music mo,” she shared.

(For me, I always have this mindset not to get too complacent. I know I’m not the best at singing, dancing, or speaking. But what I want MNL48 to learn — and I know the girls already understand — is that no matter the differences or comparisons we face, especially since there are many talented artists in P-pop, they should always remind themselves to focus on their strengths. They already have a fanbase, so they should protect and nurture it. Our genre is different — not like K-pop or P-pop — we have our own unique style. I think we just need to fully embrace it, because if you're shy or hesitant, your music won't go far.)

Aside from sharing her thoughts, Sheki also promised to release new and exciting music as a solo artist.

“This is not the end for me sa performing industry kasi andito pa rin ako, kaya sana abangan pa rin nila kung ano pa ang gagawin ko na music,” she said.

(This isn’t the end for me in the performing industry because I’m still here. So I hope they continue to look forward to the music I’ll be creating.)

A first-generation member, Arzaga was appointed overall captain of MNL48 in March 2021. She passed on the title to Jem Caldejon in June 2024. Currently, Jamie, a second-generation member, serves as the new overall captain of the girl group. Formed in 2018, MNL48 is the international sister group of the J-pop idol group AKB48 and is recognized as one of the pioneers of the P-pop idol scene.