BINI on PH flag at end of Coachella stage: ‘Representation really matters’
BINI’s historic Coachella performance ended with the flashing of a Philippine flag while the members joined hands and bowed to the audience, a moment that highlighted how they were able to represent the country on the global stage.
The female octet — composed of Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha and Sheena — told TV Patrol on its April 20 broadcast that placing the Philippine flag at the end of their performance was their decision, though it still made them emotional.
“Tinanong tayo kung kailan namin gusto lumabas ‘yung Philippine flag tapos sabi namin sa ending after ng BINI na logo, may Philippine flag,” Sheena recalled. “Kaya pala after ng set namin, nag-iiyakan lahat ng tao. Pagtingin namin sa mga videos at pictures, sobrang ganda pala tingnan.”
(We were asked when we wanted the Philippine flag to come out, then we told them that we wanted it after the BINI logo was flashed. After seeing it, it dawned on us why everyone was crying. When we looked at the videos and pictures, it was such a beautiful sight.)
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Maloi said the overwhelming emotions after seeing the Philippine flag onstage are proof of why representation matters.
“Representation really matters talaga na makita ‘yung kapwa Pinoy who made it to the global stage,” she said.
Looking back at their performance, Stacey admitted that the quick outfit change was what made them the most nervous, since it was all about timing and making sure it came off easily.
In Week 1, the outfit change came before the girl group performed “Zero Pressure,” while in Week 2, they took off their denim ensembles during the bridge of “Strings.”
“Sabay-sabay natanggal, sobrang smooth, sobrang galing natin, girls. ‘Yun talaga ‘yung pinakakinakabahan kami ‘yung part na ‘yun, including si Ate Ics habang nagtatahi siya kasi ang crucial part talaga,” Stacey said, referring to their stylist Ica Villanueva.
(Everything came off at the same time. It was so smooth. We did so well, girls. It was the part we were most nervous about. Our stylist, Ate Ics, too, while when she was sewing our outfits, because it was the most crucial part.)
Colet shared that the outfit change was the idea of their coach, Mickey Perz, as a fun way of introducing themselves to the public. “Noong una kasi, jino-joke namin ‘yun sa practice. Tapos sabi niya, why not gawin natin?”
“Grabe goosebumps talaga. Lahat ng tao nagche-cheer talaga kapag nagpapakilala kami,” she continued. “Ganda ng representation na ‘yun sa buong Pilipinas, na naipakilala kung saan talaga kami galing.”
(We initially joked about it. Then he said, why not do it? It gave us goosebumps. A lot of people cheered for us. It was such a great moment of representation for the Philippines to show where we came from.)
The group’s leader, Jhoanna, who hinted that they have a lot of new projects coming up, said they also dedicate their Coachella performances to ABS-CBN as it faces another shutdown proposal.
“Please know na itong performance na ito, bukod sa supporters namin at sa Philippines, inaalay namin ‘to sa ABS-CBN family namin. Hopefully, mabawasan kahit konti yung pain ‘yung bigat na nafe-feel nila through our performances,” she said.
(Aside from our supporters in the Philippines, we also dedicate our performances to our ABS-CBN family. Hopefully, we were able to help ease their burden.)
The P-pop powerhouse is set to grace the GRAMMY MUSEUM’s Global Spin Live and Billboard’s Women in Music ceremony on April 21 and 29, respectively. /ra
