Filipino fans of girlish pop music get another chance to see a bevy of singing pretty girls up close as The Saturdays come to Manila to do a couple of mall gigs early next month. The MCA Music-backed quintet behind the recent revival of Depeche Mode’s “Just Can’t Get Enough” and several hit singles all from the same CD package is set to perform at SM North The Block on August 7 (5 p.m.) and at SM Megamall Events Center the following day (3:30 p.m.).

The weekend 2-date treat, to be hosted by Boys Night Out, is the first Manila visit of the current “number 1 girl group from UK” which scored hits like “Up” and “If This Is Love.” Worth-noting is that one of the members Vanessa White is half-Filipino who grew up in Davao. She is being hailed as “the most vocally talented” among the five.

“We’re very looking forward to it,” says pure Irish Una Healy in a phone chat with Manila Bulletin regarding the Philippine stop of the group that also comprises Mollie King, Rochelle Wiseman, and Frankie Sandford. The “hottest female” who beat the likes of Beyoncé and Christina Aguilera (in the 2008 Virgin Media Music Awards) admitted she doesn’t have much knowledge about the country, though she is excited because Vanessa has been sharing them thoughts on “how lovely it is.”

The Saturdays’ “Chasing Lights” album delivers a packed material of pop songs and likable voices. Generally the content is more on the upbeat, danceable melody runs, with the track “Work” standing out for its good recall. Other strong songs are “Issues,” the title track, the ballad “Fall,” and “Vulnerable.”

As for picking up to revive a new wave hit from a synthesizer-heavy 80s act, Una reasons, “We really like the song and we wanted to do own version of it. That’s our usual goal – make every song sound our own.”

Niece of country singer Declan Nerney and who previously fronted a rock band, Una proudly stated having been heavily influenced by Sheryl Crow which is one reason why she loves “acoustic” the most. She’s been playing guitar since 13 and has grown to widen up her musicality. As songwriter she is also influenced by the duo of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

The “intimate” crowds to welcome The Saturdays in their mall shows here are bound to hear the group perform songs from their debut album. Una argues that while she enjoys performing in big concert venues, doing smaller gigs is a great chance “to be heard better” and “be more up close.”   

Asked about how things work for the common good of The Saturdays, Una points out, “We’re all part of a team and we work together, not against each other. It’s really about chasing our dreams and that’s why we decided to call the album ‘Chasing Lights.’”

Before joining The Saturdays in 2007, the 27-year-old beauty who was a champion swimmer as a child won twice in Ireland’s Glinsk Song Contest (in 2004 and 2006). She already has recorded her own album.

“It’s my love for music that keeps me on the go,” ends the stunner.