{"id":591170,"date":"2026-04-18T05:51:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T05:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/591170\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T05:51:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T05:51:14","slug":"inside-filipino-girl-group-binis-historic-coachella-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/591170\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside Filipino Girl Group BINI\u2019s Historic Coachella Debut"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tIt\u2019s a blistering 89 degrees in Indio, California, and the eight members of girl group BINI<\/a> are packed inside a small trailer. <\/p>\n

\n\tWith their team surrounding them, some carrying the flag of the Philippines, the young women are abuzz with nervous excitement. Electropop singer Slayyyter can be heard faintly through the not-so-soundproof walls of the trailer. Outside, a group of longtime fans and curious music<\/a> lovers at the Coachella<\/a> Valley Music and Arts Festival await the moment the group takes the Mojave stage.<\/p>\n

\n\tBINI, sporting intricately beaded blue-turquoise ensembles, begins putting warrior-like gold dresses on top of their outfits thanks to the help of their backup dancers, a group of seven men who traveled with the girl group from the Philippines. For a moment, the chaos is put on hold as they begin a group prayer. \u201cThat\u2019s the first time we\u2019ve done something like that, where [our performance director] asked us to repeat after him,\u201d BINI member Aiah, 25, tells me that night, hours after their performance is done.<\/p>\n

\n\tAiah and the rest of BINI \u2014 Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna and Sheena \u2014 look noticeably lighter speaking with me hours after their Coachella debut, which comes a day after the release of their newest EP, Signals.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe young women translate some of their pre-performance mantra for me \u2014 \u201dWe\u2019re not alone, we\u2019re together\u201d \u2014 were key points of the messaging. \u201cHe made us close our eyes so we can really bask in the moment,\u201d Aiah says.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tBINI performing at Coachella. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tABS-CBN Music<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cThat\u2019s actually our favorite part, when our coach speaks to us, because it makes us cry,\u201d Stacey, 22, adds. The rapper has seemingly perfected the festival look, her long pastel pink hair sits neatly under a mesh scarf. The women of BINI have seemingly been fighting back tears all day, even offering their coach a lighthearted warning. \u201cWe told him not to make us cry,\u201d says Maloi, 23.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe emotions and the tears are understandable though. BINI, known affectionally in the Philippines as \u201cthe nation\u2019s girl group,\u201d has made history with this Coachella set, becoming the first musical act from the Southeast Asian country to perform at the festival. \u201cThis is very important to us. Not only to us, but to the whole of the Philippines,\u201d explains Sheena, the youngest in the group at just 21 years old.<\/p>\n

\n\tIt\u2019s a sentiment that\u2019s been expressed several times since I\u2019ve arrived at BINI\u2019s Coachella basecamp. \u201cThis means a lot to the girls,\u201d Laurenti \u201cLauren\u201d Dyogi, the head of Star Magic and Entertainment Group, BINI\u2019s talent management agency tells me when we meet following BINI\u2019s performance. He quickly adds, \u201cIt actually means a lot to the entire nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tFeeling the weight of an entire country seems like a nerve-racking prospect, but the women of BINI take it in stride. \u201cOf course, there\u2019s a sense of pressure and sense of responsibility, but we take that as a good thing,\u201d Aiah says.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe singer notes that the responsibility helps them train and rehearse harder. \u201cIt\u2019s not just something that happens in a couple days, a couple of weeks, but it\u2019s something that\u2019s been years in the making,\u201d she continues. \u201cIt\u2019s been since day one, when we were still trainees, that this is something that we have manifested.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n\tThe group \u2014 formed through the 2019 idol training series, Star Hunt Academy, where the members of BINI trained for three years \u2014 officially debuted in 2021. Their profile has risen over the last six years, becoming one of the biggest artists in the Philippines.<\/p>\n

\n\tBut perhaps BINI\u2019s biggest viral breakthrough came in the form of the 2023 tropical pop single \u201cPantropiko,\u201d earning the group the status as one of most streamed OPM \u2014 or original music from the Philippines, as the young women explain to me \u2014 artists. It also helped solidify their global ascent.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cEvery time I hear \u2018Pantropiko\u2019, I\u2019m very proud to be a Filipino,\u201d Stacey says. \u201cThat\u2019s our song. I\u2019m part of that song.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tBINI with their backup dancers, who the group flew in from the Philippines, posing at the Coachella artist compound.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tABS-CBN Music<\/p>\n

\n\tMikha, 22, says that they were all on the verge of crying before taking the stage at Coachella because of the love the audience was already showing them. It\u2019s true \u2014 chants of \u201cBINI\u201d could be heard loud and clear as the group, their team and I await their entrance just into the wings. Once they take the stage, the crowd erupts as the group launches into their 2025 hit \u201cShagidi.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tBINI ends that opener by tearing off their gold overdresses to reveal the blue beaded ensembles beneath them. The abrupt costume change was a source of stress during their lead up rehearsals, but it\u2019s something they eventually perfected. \u201cWhen we had the [last] run through in our studio, the bosses cried,\u201d shares Jhoanna, 22, adding that their team just felt like BINI was ready for the global stage.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cWe also had a very emotional talk with the team because you know BINI, we\u2019re not just a girl group. We have this whole family with us that we\u2019re bringing,\u201d Mikha says. In addition to the pride and responsibility the group feels representing the nation of the Philippines, they also carry the weight and hard work of their entire team.<\/p>\n

\n\tHaving spoken with many artists, particularly ones hailing from large companies with teams into the hundreds, I was pleasantly surprised to hear BINI crediting this moment to the team working with them. Mikha says their coaches told them, \u201cThis is what we\u2019ve been waiting for, a Filipino artist going global.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cIt all dawned on us, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, my gosh, this is serious,\u201d she adds. The group emphasizes how supportive their team has been during the Coachella process and in general. Seeing BINI interact with their team \u2014 joking, hugging and laughing throughout the stressful day \u2014 it\u2019s clear there\u2019s no obvious hierarchy, just a group of people who clearly like each other.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe team has also given BINI agency with their creative direction. \u201cEverything that we put out, it\u2019s from us. We have said, we\u2019ve already talked about it, and it\u2019s not something that being spoon fed to us,\u201d says Gwen, 22. \u201cIt\u2019s something that came from our creative juices, from our experiences, insights and perspectives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cYou really can feel that everyone on the team, they want what\u2019s best for us. They pour their heart and soul and do everything they do,\u201d says Maloi. Adds Jhoanna: \u201cThis is not just our dream. It\u2019s everyone\u2019s dream.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tBINI has also felt the support of other Filipino artists and talent. The young women gush over Internet personality Bretman Rock being in the crowd for their performance and share that many Filipino artists will be making the trip to Coachella for the second weekend. <\/p>\n

\n\tPerforming at a festival as large as Coachella, it\u2019s inevitable that some in the crowd might be unfamiliar with the group. But BINI says they\u2019ve used this as opportunity to win over more fans, known collectively as Blooms. During their set, however, it\u2019s clear there\u2019s Blooms everywhere in the crowd.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tBINI onstage at Coachella\u2019s Mojave tent. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tABS-CBN Music<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cWe just came here to perform and show what we\u2019ve got. But hearing the crowd, it helped lessen the pressure, to gain more confidence,\u201d Jhoanna says. \u201cSeeing them raising our flags, it\u2019s really overwhelming. We just didn\u2019t expect this amount of support.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tThroughout Coachella and beyond, BINI has been able to succeed thanks to communication they\u2019ve established with one another. It\u2019s essential for putting together the synchronized performances they have, but it\u2019s also essential for some of the less glamorous parts of shooting to fame as a 20-something woman.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe rise of social media over the last decade and beyond means fans, and even those with not-so-great intentions, have pretty immediate access to stars and young women in the music industry. BINI, much like young female musicians around the world, is no stranger to the scrutiny that can come from these social media platforms.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cI think we\u2019re used to a lot of people saying things. We\u2019ve just come to an agreement with ourselves that no matter what you say, no matter what you do, there will always be people who would say something bad about it [you] or twist your words,\u201d Mikha admits. \u201cYou really can\u2019t please everyone. You can\u2019t control them, but what you can do is control yourself \u2014 what you feel, what you do, what you experience, what you do to make yourself happy.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n\tThe rest of the group seems to agree with that sentiment. \u201cAt the end of the day, you know yourself more. Everything is just noise,\u201d says Colet, 24. Adds Maloi: \u201cFor me personally, it\u2019s just the damn phone. When I lessen my screen time, that\u2019s my time to do things that I rarely do. I draw or just go outside. It lessens the noise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tJhoanna once again credits the team around BINI for helping them stay grounded when it comes to chatter online \u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s really important that we surround ourselves with people who will really help us, people who will guide us,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tBINI onstage at Coachella. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tABS-CBN Music<\/p>\n

\n\tBINI also credits each other for their resilience. \u201cI\u2019m very grateful for our sisterhood because it\u2019s helped me a lot. If I have a problem, I\u2019ll open up to them and they\u2019ll help me,\u201d Sheena says. Jhoanna agrees, adding that they\u2019ve learned what they need to ignore or absorb over the years. <\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cWe\u2019ve grown and changed so much since we started training,\u201d says Mikha, adding that the way they handle negativity on social media is by letting the member themselves decide if they want to bring it up and assuring each other it isn\u2019t true.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cOf course people wouldn\u2019t believe social media, of course we would believe each other,\u201d Mikha continues. Adds Sheena: \u201cThat\u2019s the beauty of being an eight member group, it means that we have more people we can lean on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tBINI continues to lean on each other as they prepare for the second weekend of Coachella. The group will take the stage later today, coming full circle on their Coachella experience. They are hoping to close out this chapter the way they strive to close out all chapters \u2014 with authenticity. It\u2019s what the group hopes their fans take away from this experience and any experience they have with BINI.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cWe want people to see that we aren\u2019t perfect. We do not strive for perfection. We strive for excellence and we strive to be the best versions of ourselves,\u201d says Mikha. \u201cIt\u2019s OK to be human. It\u2019s OK to make mistakes. We\u2019re here with you [on this journey].\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tAiah traces that openness back to where they started. \u201cWe are not only happy, we can be sad, we can be angry, we can be whatever emotions because all these emotions exist and they\u2019re there for a reason,\u201d she says. \u201cWe started as no one, but with the right amount of hard work and the right people surrounding you, you can make it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tBINI backstage at Coachella. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tABS-CBN Music<\/p>\n

\n\tAfter we wrap up, the group heads to the festival\u2019s catering tent, stopping to gush over British girl group Say Now along the way, before speeding over to the Sahara stage to catch fellow Filipino performer Sophia of Grammy-nominated KATSEYE.<\/p>\n

\n\tPerhaps it\u2019s the kick of \u201cgirl power\u201d that\u2019s floating around that helps BINI decide on what word they\u2019d use to describe this Coachella experience. Colet throws out a suggestion that\u2019s met with equal parts agreement and equal parts fond laughter. \u201cHer-story,\u201d Colet says. There seems to be an agreement. Some of the other members echo, \u201cHer-story.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s a blistering 89 degrees in Indio, California, and the eight members of girl group BINI are packed…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":591171,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[254588,27714,88,2091,216,258152],"class_list":{"0":"post-591170","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"tag-bini","9":"tag-coachella","10":"tag-entertainment","11":"tag-international","12":"tag-music","13":"tag-p-pop"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/591170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=591170"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/591170\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/591171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=591170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=591170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=591170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}