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| Wida’s Historic Debut in MNL48 Sparks Positive Buzz Across Southeast Asia (Photo: Instagram) |
MNL48 has officially entered a new chapter as Wida (Widalyn Pateña) steps forward as the group’s first Muslim member, marking a historic moment not just for the Philippine sister group of AKB48, but for the wider 48 Group scene in Southeast Asia.
The news surfaced following a YouTube interview where Wida opened up about the personal journey behind her decision to join the 48 Group family. Rather than a sudden leap, it was a dream shaped by years of watching and learning — especially from JKT48.
In the interview, Wida shared that her biggest motivation came from seeing JKT48 members who share the same faith continue to shine confidently in the idol industry.
Knowing that there are Muslim members in JKT48 who actively perform, release music, and build careers without compromising who they are gave her the reassurance she needed.
For Wida, it wasn’t just about fame or spotlight. It was about music, performance, and the energy idols bring to the stage.
She admitted she has always loved 48 Group songs, describing them as spirited, uplifting, and full of drive. The idea of standing on stage, delivering that same positive energy to fans, pushed her to take the bold step into idol life.
Interestingly, MNL48 previously had a third generation candidate named Isha, who was also known to be Muslim.
However, her journey did not continue into becoming an official member. That makes Wida’s debut even more meaningful — she is the first officially recognised Muslim member in MNL48’s history.
Born Widalyn Pateña on 8 March 2002 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wida is a Pisces and currently active under P.O.S Inc. as part of MNL48’s 5th Generation. She officially joined the group on 11 October 2025 and is known for her cheerful catchphrase, “Starting and ending your day WIDAsmile! I’m MNL48 Wida!”
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| Instagram/Wida |
Beyond the stage, she is studying Communication Arts at the University of the Philippines. Her idol dream was sparked after seeing Muslim members in the AKB48 Group, especially JKT48, and even her stage name “Wida” was created from parts of her parents’ names.
Across social media platforms, reactions have been largely positive, with fans welcoming Wida warmly into the spotlight. Many comments greeted her with “Assalamualaikum Wida,” signalling both support and pride.
Some netizens highlighted how representation matters in the idol industry, especially in Southeast Asia where cultural backgrounds are diverse.
Others brought up an interesting statistic: JKT48 currently has around 19 Muslim members, which is said to make up roughly 42 percent of the group.
For many fans, that fact strengthens the connection between Wida’s inspiration and her own journey.
Of course, discussions also included curiosity about how MNL48 will support Wida moving forward and whether this could open doors for more diverse representation within the group.
A number of fans are already imagining a future cross-group collaboration, hoping one day Wida might share a stage with the very group that inspired her — JKT48.
Wida’s story is more than just a debut update. It reflects how the 48 Group continues to evolve across borders, cultures, and backgrounds while keeping the core spirit of passion and performance alive.
What do you think about Wida’s historic step in MNL48? Do you see a potential JKT48 collaboration happening in the future?