(photo credits: HHE)
It’s now time for Abby Trinidad to glow further as the new face of MNL48 after she was crowned as the Third Generation Center in the final day of the idol group’s Third General Election yesterday afternoon.
Televised on popular noontime show “It’s Showtime”, the 23-year-old Team NIV member from Bacoor, Cavite finally achieved the idol group’s most glittering honor after falling short on the past two editions of the General Election, being second in 2018 and third in 2019 respectively. With this honor, Trinidad follows the path of past winners, namely Sheki Arzaga in 2018 and Aly Padillo in 2019.
After getting the much-coveted victory, Trinidad proceeded to thank her fans and everyone who continuously supports her MNL48 journey since 2018 as part of the idol group’s First Generation. “Di ko ineexpect bilang First Generation member po na ngayon ay naging parte pa rin ng Third Generation. Thank you so much po talaga sa binigay niyo [na] opportunity kasi talagang tinulungan po ninyo akong mag-improve. Kaya po ako nandito dahil sa inyo. Kung wala po kayo, wala din po ako”, she said.
Trinidad adds the Third General Election win to her notable resume so far as an MNL48 member. Known as a consistent member of the senbatsu through the idol group’s six singles, most recently being part of the double center for "RIVER", she has also been a permanent fixture in MNL48 guestings and appearances in local and international events, such as numerous ABS-CBN TV guestings, two AKB48 Group Asia Festivals last 2019 and the One Love Asia online benefit concert last May.
Now in prime position to lead MNL48 to its fourth year and Third Generation, Trinidad will also be the center girl of the idol group’s upcoming 7th single. She’ll be joined by the Third Generation Senbatsu, composed of 16 members. Trinidad is also part of the Kami-7 which are the top seven and most popular members this General Election with Arzaga, Jamie Alberto, Ruth Lingat, Ella Amat, Jan Elaurza and Andi Garcia. Rounding up the senbatsu lineup are Jem Caldejon, Yzabel Divinagracia, Gabb Skribikin, Alice de Leon, Princess Briquillo, Lara Layar, Coleen Trinidad, Thea Itona and Tin Coloso.
(photo credits: MNL48 Alice/Facebook)
Social media outlets were flooded by various updates and tweets from the jubilant MNL48 community as the results were unveiled one by one. Four tags, led by the headlining #MNL48ThirdGeneralElection, made it to the top domestic trending topics on Twitter yesterday, generating over 500,000 tweets. Fans extended their congratulations to Trinidad for her win, led by her official fan club Abenusians. The event was also featured in the weekend edition of national evening newscast "TV Patrol".
After the result announcement, Trinidad and the rest of the Third Generation senbatsu came to celebrate with their fans through the “Arigato, Salamat Po” Kumu live event, where they received virtual gifts amounting to more than 1 million diamonds.
The election results came from public votes cast by fans, which lasted over an eight-month period (March 15, 2020 to November 30, 2020) due to the ongoing quarantine period set by the COVID-19 pandemic. Voting tickets were availed through purchase of selected MNL48 merchandise such as CDs, music cards and concert DVDs.
Furthermore, representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the idol group’s management agency HalloHallo Entertainment Inc. (HHE) checked and verified the results for integrity and accuracy.
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