BINI members (from left) Gwen, Aiah, Colet, Sheena, Maloi, Stacey, Jhoanna and Mikha. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net
The Billboard Philippines recognition given to BINI, which came three months ahead of their third debut anniversary, is an overwhelming moment of gratitude for the girl group. But it also serves as a reminder for them to “be better” and push for the rise of the P-pop industry.
The girl group—consisting of Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha and Sheena—was among the awardees of Billboard Philippines Women in Music during awards rites last March 22, where they bagged the Rising Star Award.
Also recognized at the ceremony were Sarah Geronimo, Regine Velasquez, Moira Dela Torre, Pilita Corrales, Ena Mori, Morissette Amon and Belle Mariano.
“It means so much, like a lot to us. We never expected this could happen so soon in a few months after reaching these dreams. We couldn’t have done it if it wasn’t for our Blooms and management,” said Mikha on the sidelines of the ceremony’s blue carpet.
Despite this, Mikha said their recent success serves as “something positive” for the female octet to “be better” in their careers.
“We feel as if we have so much responsibility and pressure to bring with us. At the same time, we take it as something positive to be better and eventually go into the international stages,” she said.
The group’s leader, Jhoanna, also agreed with Mikha’s statement, as she pointed out that it’s also a “big responsibility” for BINI to represent the P-pop community.
“Super laking responsibility. Hindi lang BINI ang bitbit namin dito kung hindi ang buong P-pop community. Super happy na nangyari ito nang Women’s Month,” she said.
(This is such a big responsibility for us. We’re not only carrying BINI with us but also the whole P-pop community. We’re happy this happened to us on Women’s Month.)
‘SALAMIN, SALAMIN SA DINGDING, NASA’N NA ANG PAG-IBIG?’ 🪞
WATCH: Among the highlights of Billboard Philippines Women in Music awards last March 22 was P-pop girl group BINI performing their hit song “Salamin, Salamin” before accepting their Rising Star award. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/QxlxG23TSa
— Hannah Mallorca (@HMallorcaINQ) March 31, 2024
Jhoanna, as well as her bandmates, were then seemingly overwhelmed after the group received their Rising Star plum from SB19’s Stell. This led the group’s leader to dedicate their award to their team, management, families and their fans, called Blooms, in their acceptance speech.
“An almost three-year-old group, at sobrang laking regalo nito for us. We are humbled and grateful, and we’re thankful to Billboard Philippines for giving us a platform para maipakita ang mga kaya naming gawin,” she said.
(An almost three-year-old group and this is such a huge gift for us. We are humbled and grateful, and we’re thankful to Billboard Philippines for giving us a platform to show what we can do.)
With a huge smile, Jhoanna also promised the group would continue to “strive for excellence” and to represent P-pop on the “world stage.”
“We will continue to strive for excellence at dadalhin natin ang P-pop sa world stage. Hindi lang namin nire-represent ang group, pati na rin ang P-pop groups ng aming bansa,” she said.
(We will continue to strive for excellence and bring the P-pop on the world stage. We’re not only representing the group but also the P-pop groups in our country.)
BINI members in a concept photo for “Talaarawan.” Image: Courtesy of Star Music
On shattering stereotypes about women
During the ceremony, BINI was also asked what “old-school stereotypes” society needs to shatter about women. This led Stacey to point out that women shouldn’t be subjected to harsh beauty standards.
“Kailangang sirain ang beauty standard na laging tinitingnan ang katawan or type ng katawan [ng isang babae]. Everyone is beautiful and walang rules sa pagiging babae,” she said.
(We must shatter the beauty standards that women are subjected to, especially when it comes to their body types. Everyone is beautiful and there are no rules in being a woman.)
READ: BINI aims to empower women, kids with first-ever EP ‘Talaarawan’
Aiah also said society must also stop dictating to women what “they couldn’t do” and instead shed light on their potential.
“Other people are so focused on the don’ts of women that they’re not focusing on what we can do aside from [our] looks. There are so many things that we can do,” she added.