BINI grateful for widespread success, seeing the ‘fruit of our labor’

BINI members (from top left) Jhoanna, Stacey, Mikha, Aiah, Gwen; (from bottom left) Colet, Maloi, and Sheena. Image: X/@bini_ph

The members of BINI couldn’t help but tear up as they looked back on their starting point in the P-pop scene, and seeing now that their efforts and sacrifices as a group have paid off.

In an interview with entertainment journalist MJ Felipe via ABS-CBN News’ YouTube channel, when asked about their widespread success, BINI’s Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, and Sheena expressed their gratitude to fans for their support.

“Pinaghirapan talaga namin ‘to. Parang nagpe-pay off lahat ng taon at sakripsiyo. Nakikita namin ang fruit of our labor. Thank you so much, Blooms,” said Maloi, referring to their dedicated fanbase.

(We worked hard for this. And we feel the years of hard work and sacrifices were worth it. We can see the fruit of our labor. Thank you so much, Blooms.)

READ: BINI sees its success as opportunity to push for P-pop’s growth

Meanwhile, the group’s leader, Jhoanna, said they want to savor the blessings coming their way even though their schedules have been packed. “Natatakot kami na biglang nangyari [ang success], baka biglang mawala. Pero [‘yung team na] mismo na nagsabi, ‘Deserve niyo ‘to.’”

“Sana hindi mawala agad,” she continued. “Kahit wala kami masyadong pahinga, hangga’t may blessings na pumapasok, tanggap lang kami nang tanggap. Hindi naman ‘to pang-habang buhay.”

(Since our success felt instant, it might be gone in a snap. But our team assured us that we deserve it. I hope this won’t go away. We might’ve not been getting enough rest, but as long as blessings keep coming, we’ll keep accepting them. This won’t last forever.)

BINI’s goals

Jhoanna shared that among the goals of BINI for the year is to “strengthen [their] foundation” in the Philippines and for the members to not just be recognized as the group, but also as themselves. She also said in the interview that they’re eyeing the international scene, although she noted that it depends on the trajectory of their career.

“Ang goal talaga namin this year is ma-strengthen ang foundation sa Philippines. This year — posibleng magbago depending sa next song na irerelease namin — the plan is to go international. Pero siyempre, hindi pa ‘yun final,” she said. “Sana hindi [rin] kami makilala as BINI lang talaga. Siyempre, gusto naming makilala individually.”

(Our goal for this year is to strengthen our foundation in the Philippines. This year — this can change depending on the song we’ll release — the plan is to go international. But of course, this is not yet final. We also hope to not only be recognized as members of BINI but of course, to be recognized individually.)

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When asked about their upcoming concert in June, Maloi said seeing posts of fans camping to secure their desired tickets made her realize how much many people love them.

“Hindi namin alam na may mga taong grabe magmahal. Kung ako, hindi ako pipila. Sa online [ako bibili]. Pero sila, naglabas sila ng time and effort and d’un namin masasabi na iba magmahal ang Blooms,” she said.

(We didn’t know that people loved us this much. If I’m in their shoes, I won’t line up. I will buy it online. But they exerted time and effort which made us realize how much our Blooms love us.)

Tickets for the group’s “BINIverse” concert are sold out, as recently announced by their label Star Music earlier this month. This prompted BINI to be asked about the clamor on social media to change its venue from the New Frontier Theater to Araneta Coliseum.

“I feel like in having a concert, you shouldn’t rush those things. It’s like a milestone for the group so we want it to be memorable for the Blooms,” Mikha said in response, while her bandmates assured that more fan events will be held in the future.

BINI, formed by ABS-CBN’s Star Hunt Academy, debuted in June 2021 with the single “Born To Win.” They were among the female artists recognized at the Billboard Philippines Women in Music awards ceremony in March 2024.

The eight-member girl group is known for their hit songs “Pantropiko,” “Na Na Na,” “Lagi,” and “Salamin, Salamin,” among others.