BINI. Image: Erron Ocampo via X/@bini_ph
Not even a technical difficulty on their Billboard Philippines stage could dampen BINI’s spirit, as they would rather see the incident as a reminder of how much their Blooms had their backs.
BINI made headlines after suffering technical issues during their performance at the “Billboard Philippines: Mainstage” anniversary event last October 16, where the music to the “Cherry on Top” was suddenly cut off. This led the members and their fans (or Blooms) to continue the song through acapella.
Fellow P-pop powerhouse SB19 also endured technical difficulties in their set, where they successfully performed “Mana” after three attempts.
Hours after their performance, BINI addressed the incident in a brief chat with INQUIRER.net on the sidelines of an event in Makati. They said it was an experience that reminded them of how much they’re loved.
“Of course, it was a great feeling. We didn’t expect the technical difficulties. We didn’t expect they would sing along to Cherry on Top,” Jhoanna said.
Aiah chimed in, saying: “Naging karaoke. Masaya lang (It was like a karaoke. It was fun).”
WATCH: BINI didn’t allow technical issues to get the best of their performance at the “Billboard Philippines: Mainstage” event, as the girl group and their dedicated legion of fans (or Blooms) sang “Cherry on Top” in acapella. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/aknB7hDWVP
— Hannah Mallorca (@HMallorcaINQ) October 16, 2024
Jhoanna admitted that the technical issue was a challenge, but they nonetheless enjoyed their performance.
“We had a hard time because there were delays in the singing due to the echoes onstage. But what mattered to us was how much we enjoyed it,” she said.
Colet, on the other hand, said the performance was a “blessing in disguise” for them since it made them realize how much the public knew of their songs.
“Parang blessing in disguise na rin ’yun na nalaman natin kung gaano tayo kamahal ng mga tao. Alam talaga nila ang song. Instead of ma-down kami due to the technical difficulties, nakangiti na lang kami, (It was like a blessing in disguise. It’s when we realized how much people love us. They really know the song. Instead of feeling down due to the technical difficulties, we were smiling throughout.)” she said.
While nodding, Jhoanna also recalled how they found the incident to be amusing. “Opo! Habang pauwi, tawa lang kami nang tawa (While going home, we were laughing about it).”
Colet agreed with Jhoanna, saying: “Totoo, nakangiti na lang kami [thinking na], gan’un pala kami kamahal ng mga tao (That’s true. We were smiling and thinking of how much we’re loved).”
Billboard Philippines’ statement
The music publication addressed the now-viral incident in a text message to INQUIRER.net on Wednesday, October 16, saying the involved parties agreed to “move forward with a positive outlook.”
“Billboard Philippines, along with BINI and SB19, are united in our commitment to celebrate the tremendous success of this historic event, which brought together 33 Filipino artists,” it said.
The six-hour show, which took place at the Mall of Asia Arena, brought together the biggest and rising stars of OPM. Aside from BINI and SB19, also part of the event were Sarah Geronimo, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Moira Dela Torre, James Reid, Ben&Ben, G22, KAIA, VXON, Alamat, and Hev Abi, among others.
Billboard Philippines has released a statement to reporters, following the technical issues that took place in its first anniversary event in Pasay City on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
“Billboard Philippines, along with BINI and SB19, are united in our commitment to celebrate the… pic.twitter.com/TXcaPdjU80
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 16, 2024
“This collaboration is a testament to our dedication to promoting the vibrancy of OPM and reinforcing the message that OPM is alive. All parties have agreed to move forward with a positive outlook, focused on further elevating Filipino talent and music on the global stage,” it said.
SB19 also spoke about their performance on X (formerly Twitter), saying it’s an opportunity for the group to “note and mark all the ways” they can give better stages in the future.