As they enter 3rd year, BINI feels ‘empowered’ to keep going

As they entered their third year, BINI admitted that 2024 is their busiest year so far. But they would rather see their packed schedules as a blessing to keep going.

The P-pop girl group — composed of Jhoanna Robles, Aiah Arceta, Colet Vergara, Maloi Ricalde, Gwen Apuli, Stacey Sevilleja, Mikha Lim, and Sheena Catacutan — made their debut on June 11, 2021 with the single “Born To Win.” They had since catapulted into mainstream success, taking every moment “one day at a time.”

“We see our busy schedules as blessings, especially since we consider [2024] our busiest year. We take it one day at a time. If we have rest days, we take time to rest,” Sheena said at the group’s National BINI Day celebration in Makati last June 11.

At some point, BINI couldn’t hold back their tears at the moment. Yet they remained accommodating, laughing, interacting, and expressing gratitude to the screaming crowd. For Maloi, they see their fans — also known as Blooms — as one of the key reasons why they reached this stage of their careers.

“We’re thankful na kasama namin sila sa pag-grow and pag-celebrate ng aming third anniversary. We can’t wait na makasama namin [sila] sa maraming taon pa. Simula pa lang ‘to,” she added.

(We’re thankful they’re with us as we grow and celebrate our third anniversary. We can’t wait to be with them in the years to come. This is just the beginning.)

When asked what fan interaction struck them the most, Gwen shared that it’s with those who see their music as comfort whether they’re sick or going through mental health struggles.

“Kahit may mga sakit sila, pinapatugtog pa rin nila ang songs namin. And for people who struggle with their mental health, sabi nila na naiinspire sila ng music namin. We’re very happy na natutulungan sila ng songs namin,” she said.

(Even if they’re sick, they still listen to our songs. People who struggle with their mental health come up to us to share how much our music inspires them. We’re very happy that we help them through our songs.)

A ‘healthy environment’

Jhoanna, the group’s leader, broke down in tears as she thanked their fans for making their third anniversary celebration a special one for them. “Mga nakaraang araw, hindi siya madali for us kasi hindi naging madali ang preparation for our concert kasabay ng guestings and shows namin.”

“Pero nawala ang pagod namin tonight. Hindi namin ine-expect na mangyayari ‘to sa loob ng tatlong taon,” she continued. Jhoanna then became more emotional as she recalled how the pandemic and ABS-CBN’s shutdown affected their pre-debut but it was the management who pushed for them to keep going.

(The past few days haven’t been easy for us. We have been preparing for our concert along with our guestings and shows. But our exhaustion went away tonight. We didn’t expect this would happen in three years.)

“Kung alam niyo lang ano ang pinaglaban [ng bosses] for us. Noong dumaan ang shutdown and pandemic, sino ba kami para ipagstay ng management, diba? Pero pinili nilang maniwala at magtiwala sa’min,” she added.

(If only you knew how much the bosses fought for us. When the shutdown and pandemic happened, who are we for the management to make us stay? But they chose to believe and still believe in us.)

Taking on the stance of a leader by instinct, Jhoanna hoped their environment would remain healthy while urging fans to “avoid comparison.”

“Sana mas dumami pa tayo, sana panatilihin natin ang healthy environment (I hope more will come. I hope we can maintain this healthy environment). Let’s avoid negativity and let’s avoid comparison. Let’s keep this empowered world for all,” she said.

Meanwhile, Aiah said BINI makes sure to “stay in [their] lane.” She also shared they would rather focus on developing their craft and maintaining friendships with fellow groups.

“For us, we’re our own competitor. We value the friendship we have with other groups. Even before, we always focused on improving ourselves and our craft. Thank you we are guided by our management [and] thank you to our Blooms because you inspire us to get better. We hear you, we see you, and we apply their suggestions,” she said.

Despite their massive growth, Sheena said nothing has changed within the group. For her, they are still themselves whom they knew and loved.

“Kasi before, kapag lumalabas kami, nakikilala kami pero as a group. Pero ngayon kahit individually na, hindi na kami makagala,” she said which drew laughs from fans. “Pero sa amin personality-wise, we’re still the same humble, amazing, and majestic girls.”

(When we go out before, we’re recognized as a group. But now, as individuals, it’s hard for us to go out. But personality-wise, we’re still the same humble, amazing, and majestic girls.)