They are the talk of the town. They topped charts and made waves online, amassing millions of streams and TikTokers dancing to their hit song, "Pantropiko." One could say that BINI finally made it. But BINI says there's still a lot to do and much more to reach—and they're doing it like the fun and fearless Pinays that they are.
That was the statement that BINI imprinted on us when we got the chance to have an amusing and intimate chat with the eight-member P-Pop girl group, made up of members Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, and Sheena. Admittedly, it's nerve-wracking to interview someone of BINI's standards, but the girls made it feel like a *chikahan* session. They were oozing with warmth.
It was our first time meeting BINI though we were already familiar with how humorous they all are. However, we did not expect how witty and energetic BINI would be that day. Starting our chat with some pleasantries, Cosmo asked, "How's life these days?"
The girls cheerfully responded to the question. There was passion in Mikha's words when she said, "Mas sanay kaming busy po kami kesa wala kaming ginagawa, kasi 'pag wala kaming ginagawa, parang may mali."
Laughter followed her answer, but no denials were made. Mikha furthered her statement, declaring that despite their hectic life as a P-pop girl group, they are happy and very much grateful for their growth.
BINI reacts to the "Pantropiko" craze
It was all unexpected, BINI said. "Pantropiko" going viral was not something that they predicted—but it was everything they'd hoped for.
Sheena recalled, "'Yung Pantropiko super natural lang niyang nag-viral. Hindi kami nag-push na, '"huy gawin mo 'to!" Hindi pa siya super boom, nagse-send na 'yung mga boss namin na, "oh my gosh nasa FYP ko 'yung Pantropiko.""
Maloi declared that it was one of their ultimate goals to further connect P-pop out there to fellow Filipinos. "'Yun talaga 'yung ine-aim namin na suportahan kami ng kapwa naming Pinoy... Super grateful kami na P-Pop is now flourishing, getting known, and getting stronger," Maloi said.
The girls acknowledge how big of an impact "Pantropiko" had on their group. TBH, the numbers don't lie. In the span of one month, BINI's monthly listeners on the streaming platform Spotify grew to 900,000 listeners. Their performance video garnered 2 million views on YouTube, too.
With much humility, BINI attributed "Pantropiko's" success to everyone who supported their group and their songs. Starting from their Team BINI, to to every TikToker who did the "Pantropiko" trend.
Cosmo asked the girls if specific celebrities or influencers made them feel ~kilig~ after they danced to their songs. After mentioning some K-pop idols, like RED VELVET's Irene, BINI unitedly brought up Niana Guerrero.
"Super big help ni Niana... last I checked 12 million views 'yung Pantropiko video po niya," Jhoanna stated, conveying their thanks to Niana's influence that helped direct more attention to their song as well.
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BINI on redefining the word "idol" to Filipinos
The traction that BINI has nowadays was not something that happened overnight. It took them tireless nights, intensive training, and a lot of sacrifices to reach this point. Still, the girls can't help but feel slightly overwhelmed with everything.
On top of everything, Mikha strongly noted, "We always remind ourselves to keep ourselves grounded. Kahit ano pang ma-reach namin, dapat we're always grounded."
Briefly, Jhoanna, BINI's leader, acknowledged the fact that P-pop is relatively more accepted these days, compared to when they were rookies. Yet there's still that conscious effort to communicate what an idol really is in this day and age.
Speaking on the struggles of a P-pop idol, Aiah did not hold back when she said that the idea of being an idol is a total hurdle for them.
"It's the idea of being an idol. Kasi whenever they hear that, sometimes it's incorporated with the word perfect na you have to be the total package. I mean kahit gusto man namin, hindi talaga kami perfect. Walang perfect," Aiah said.
BINI accepts their imperfections. Owing their strength to the people around them, Aiah explained, "The expectations are very high which I think is understandable. I know the people who are in this industry, they really trained so hard for it, kaya I get why people expect so much. But at the end of the day, even if you're not perfect, we really try our best. We have our coaches, a whole team who really pushes us to give our very best."
With all of that, Aiah gave a strong impression when she declared BINI's philosophy, and we quote, "We don't aim for perfection, but for excellence and growth."
BINI is more than just a girl group
More than redefining what a P-pop idol is, BINI is leveling out the field in reshaping and reintroducing what new-gen Filipinas are. Releasing their first EP, Talaarawan, on March 8, International Women's Day, BINI is making an impactful statement about what it means to be a woman.
For BINI, women have so much untapped strength within them and no one should tell them otherwise. Aiah strongly stated, "If you think about it, we can actually do so much. What came to my mind right now, is mothers in general, especially single moms. They have a lot of things going on with their life, and to be able to manage all that, it's not an easy job."
When asked what is a woman's greatest strength, Maloi and Sheena made sure to emphasize how mentally strong and dedicated women are. "[Greatest strength is] Mindset. Pag na-set na 'yung mind ng isang woman, hindi mo na siya mababago," Maloi declared.
Sheena added, "Two words: Mentally strong. It's given na women are known for being emotional, [yet] at the end of the day we still choose to fight and find solutions to our problems." Hear! Hear!
Colet reminds women to always choose to embrace one's strengths and weaknesses. Because at the end of the day, Colet says, "You know yourself more."
To sum it all up, BINI would want the world to see that Filipinas are not just educated but aware; not just informed but also wise; and most importantly, fearless.
BINI reveals why they stay motivated despite the struggles
A P-pop group's life is never sunshine and rainbows. Problems come and go, and as humans, the members are bound to feel tired. But believe us when we say that BINI is different.
BINI did not fail to have us in complete awe over their answers during the interview. From telling us, "If wala kaming ginagawa, parang may mali," to declaring how much they honor their team who work behind the scenes, BINI said it all with love and dedication.
It was especially noticeable when the girls were given the question, "What keeps you motivated?" Of course, they talked about their family and their fans (called Blooms) who give them strength. But more importantly, BINI did not forget their Team BINI.
Mikha told Cosmo, "I think it's also the people we work with. Passionate. They do it out of love... Who are we to complain? Who are we to be lazy? When there are people who put their blood, sweat, and tears into everything."
Maloi affirmed this by saying, "So 'yung magagandang songs ng BINI, hindi lang dahil sa BINI pero dahil sa Team BINI."
BINI speaks up on life outside BINI
In our conversation, we touched on the topic of their early trainings. Colet quipped, "Taga-bukas po kami ng ABS[-CBN]." They would start as early as 6AM or 7AM, and who knows what time they usually end their rehearsals!
So it's a must to ask: how do they find balance between work and personal life?
Stacey quickly responded that rest days are of course still mandatory in their work. "Kahit na sobrang busy namin, may bonding kami," she said. During those rest days, Stacey makes it to a point to really rest and bond with the other members, and her family as well.
For Maloi, rest days entail time for herself—to better herself in other aspects, like digital art or reading. She also shared about her choice to bond with her non-showbiz friends.
"Kinikita ko 'yung mga friends ko outside. Para hindi kami manawa sa isa't isa. Para pag nagsama-sama kami, parang bago pa rin, fresh pa rin," she explained.
The same goes for Mikha and Aiah. They would just chill and bond with friends. While Colet and Gwen mostly prefer to spend their time at home, probably to sleep or to do some chores.
For Jhoanna, she has recently discovered the joy of going out and exploring foodie destinations. That's an additional to-do list for her these days, aside from spending day-offs with family. Go girl!
BINI looks back on their younger selves
Somehow, we found it interesting seeing BINI think about their younger and future selves. Now that they are at the peak of their career as P-pop idols, we've asked them to look back and also look forward to their future.
Thinking of their messages for their younger selves, Colet briefly said, "Thank you for staying alive." One sentence that speaks a thousand words.
We then learned something new from Maloi, who said her message would be, "'Yung motto mo in life is 'yung magiging instrument mo para magpatuloy ka. My motto is "Risking is better than regretting." Nice motto, right?
Stacey also kept it simple and stated, "You're slowly getting there, don't forget to thank the Lord."
On the other hand, Sheena had some life advice for her younger self! "Keep on dreaming and sana lumaki ka na hindi mahiyain, ang hirap maging introvert," she proclaimed.
In a humorous manner, Jhoanna made the members laugh with her message, "Take the risk, I'm proud of you my man!"
Mikha, on the other hand, made sure to remind her younger self to start dance classes. "Mag-dance classes ka ngayon pa lang," she said before laughing. Some of the members agreed with Mikha and Sheena even echoed her message, "ay ako rin po!"
"Hold on tight. Start being fearless because anyway you're gonna be fearless," Aiah boldly declared.
Last but not the least, Gwen doesn't want anyone to hold her back from reaching her dreams. "Don't let anyone stop you," she said.
BINI faces the brightest future ahead
As for their future selves, well, most of the girls look forward to a happy and fulfilled life. Just to note, it was an amicable agreement that the girls are sending the messages to their selves ten years later.
Colet, Maloi, and Stacey all hope that in the future they are still happy, content, and together with their loved ones.
Sheena, in the most laughable manner, congratulated herself on getting married after 10 years! But kidding aside, she said, "Congratulations sa mga achievements mo, live with your family," and then the room roared with laughter once again because of Sheena.
Jhoanna seems ambitious yet determined to be a businesswoman someday. "Congratulations sa 20 branches ng mga clothing brand," she stated.
Because they never run out of humor, Mikha also had a funny yet relatable response to our inquiry. Here's what she would tell her future self: "Sana buhay pa rin ang hair mo."
Meanwhile, Aiah kept it short and sweet, "I'm proud of you, that's it."
As for Gwen, in 10 years, she's hopeful that she will still be with BINI. "Sana kahit papaano nakasabay na 'yung energy ko sa BINI."
BINI and their everlasting impact
In 10 years or so, there might be tons of new P-pop groups, aka new generations of idols to stan. So in 10 years, we ask, how should we remember BINI?
Jhoanna quickly answered, "More than our songs and talents, gusto naming maalala sa attitude na pinakita namin. Siyempre gusto naming mag-leave ng mark, in a good way."
"Feeling ko by that time, P-Pop is globally known. Sana maalala nila na isa 'yung BINI sa tumulong para makilala 'yung P-pop sa buong mundo," Maloi wished.
In a most honest and heartfelt way, BINI told Cosmo that this is how they want people to remember them: the fun, fearless, and warmhearted women, who once contributed to the rise of P-Pop in the global scene.
And BINI, believe us when we say, that we will remember you as the humble and energetic ladies who shared warmth and wisdom with us, your fellow Pinays, through your songs, performances, and through this story.
We're calling it: BINI is going places, and they're not going anywhere but up.