At just 17, Elisia Parmisano is proving that Filipino talent can thrive on the global stage as a member of UNIS—bringing with her a blend of Filipino warmth and Korean discipline shaped by years of training and experience.
Elisia began her journey in Philippine showbiz at a young age before pursuing her dream of becoming a K-pop idol. She trained in South Korea at 13 after gaining recognition through Universe Ticket, eventually debuting with UNIS in 2024.
“I started in Philippine showbiz when I was 7 or 8 years old. Siguro around 11, I began getting interested in K-pop. That led me to train in Korea at 13—and now I’m here,” she shared during a media gathering in Quezon City.
Elisia highlighted how her Filipino upbringing played a key role in helping her adapt to the demanding K-pop industry.
“I think po, Filipinos, we’re automatically really dedicated sa work and we’re very loyal to our work and sa mga gusto natin. We’re also very courageous and very brave when it comes to taking risks. Even just auditioning for K-pop, like the risk of going to another country, I gathered all my Filipino courage and I flew there. Binuhos ko all of my Filipino dedication sa work ko, when it comes to training, memorizing songs and dances,” she said.
At the same time, she acknowledged the discipline instilled by Korean training.
“In Korea, the culture teaches us to focus purely on our craft,” she added.
For Elisia, being Filipino is not a limitation but a strength that helps her stand out internationally.
“There is a certain charming point po when it comes to our friendliness and our pakikisama po sa tao in general. We would never go unnoticed, I think, when it comes to being in the entertainment scene in another country. In a good way, we’re a different breed, we’re always so happy, we’re always so bright. There’s a certain charming point po talaga.”
Her ability to communicate in English, Filipino, and Korean has also allowed her to connect more deeply with fans worldwide.
Elisia credits her artistry to a mix of local and international influences, including Marian Rivera and Regine Velasquez, as well as her cousin Marcus Cabais.
“Siyempre Filipino tayo, we’re always singing. Whenever I sing in karaoke, my family would always say, you sing with feelings, you sing with your heart, not just with your voice. You put yourself into the song, so when it comes to the recording of songs, or interpreting the meaning or the message of the songs, tina-try ko po talaga to give my all,” she said.
Despite her individual growth, Elisia emphasized that her priority remains the success of UNIS as a group.
“Being with UNIS for two years, super happy po kami po talaga kami as a group. Even though at first we had this different cultural stuff, we were able to adjust to that,” she shared.
She also expressed hopes of performing on major global stages such as Coachella, signaling bigger ambitions for the group.
“I will say that the Ever Afters are looking forward to what we have in store for them,” she added.
Formed through “Universe Ticket,” UNIS continues to build its international presence—now with Elisia proudly carrying the Filipino identity at its core.
