At just 17 years old, Elisia is riding a wave of momentum that most teenagers can only dream of. Fresh off a headlining set at a local cosplay convention, the UNIS member sat down for an intimate afternoon chat with the Manila press. Dressed in the effortless style of a rising pop star, she reflected on a whirlwind journey that began long before the bright lights of the SBS survival reality show Universe Ticket made her a household name.

The dream started early. Elisia has been performing since she was a child, fueled by an unwavering ambition to become a superstar. That drive led her to leave home for South Korea at the age of 13, a bold move that required her to adapt almost instantly to a new culture. “Korea is different,” she noted, describing the disciplined, formal environment where focus on one’s craft is paramount and security is strictly maintained. While she adjusted quickly to the lifestyle, the language remains a work in progress; she shared with a smile that her fellow members act as her constant tutors, helping her navigate the nuances of Korean.

As one of three members with Filipino roots in UNIS—alongside Gehlee Dangca and the group’s leader, Jin Hyeon-ju—Elisia serves as a bridge between two worlds. She recalled the group’s first visit to the Philippines, where her co-members were eager to soak up the local lifestyle, excitedly picking up phrases like “Galing” and “Ganda.” Her own influences are a vibrant mix of global and local icons: she looks up to IVE and BLACKPINK’s Jennie, but her roots remain tied to Filipino legends like Marian Rivera and Regine Velasquez—the latter being a close family friend. Currently, she’s found inspiration in the group Katseye and dreams of a future collaboration, though she admits she still gets starstruck, vividly remembering the moment she met ITZY and was stunned by their beauty and warmth.

Despite a grueling schedule, Elisia remains grounded. Her parents are her biggest supporters, understanding the dedication her career demands while ensuring she stays on top of her education through online schooling. It is a balancing act that she performs with the same grace she shows on stage.

When asked about her “I made it” moment, Elisia didn’t hesitate: it was their performance in New York in February 2026. The weight of the achievement hit the group all at once, leaving them in tears of joy after they stepped off stage. Yet, her heart often wanders back to their first fan meeting in the Philippines. “Four floors of the mall were packed just to see us,” she recalled, the memory still giving her chills. “The screams were so loud we couldn’t even hear our own in-ears. It was amazing.”

Looking ahead, Elisia isn’t resting on her laurels. While she hopes to explore more acting roles in future music videos, her primary focus is growth. She is manifesting more blessings for herself and global expansion for UNIS, eager to take their music to every corner of the world while remaining the same girl who dared to chase a dream across the ocean at thirteen.

Fans can catch the latest updates on UNIS on their official social media pages.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/official.UNIS/
X: https://x.com/UNIS_offcl
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unis_offcl/