MANILA, Philippines — P-pop girl group sensation BINI aspires to share their talent and passion to the world, and their successful first-ever solo concert “BINIVerse” has proven just that — with Blooms, as their fans are called, taking inspiration and motivation from the eight dream-driven girls.
Three years after officially debuting as a group, Aiah, Colet, Gwen, Jhoanna, Maloi, Mikha, Sheena, and Stacey finally took center stage at the New Frontier Theater for their three-night sold-out show, putting on a string of stunning performances for their legions of supporters.
As the holographic “BINIVerse” logo animation got fully loaded on the LED screen, a montage of clips featuring BINI from their trainee days was played, while a sampaguita flower came into full bloom signaling the entrance to BINI’s universe.
Eight silhouettes of the BINI girls appeared before the excited crowd, moving to the beat of Na Na Na to open the second night of “BINIVerse,” which The Philippine STAR attended.
“Super laki na ng na-improve namin (we’ve improved so much) since then,” BINI’s youngest member Sheena reflected on their journey after the group enthralled the audience with a medley of Na Na Na, Lagi, and Feel Good, accompanied by a live band.
The Pantropiko hitmakers have always been vocal about having only a few fans early in their career and how they’re still in disbelief over the fact that they are now capable of filling up venues with their fans.
“I still couldn’t believe that my dreams are coming true,” said Colet, expressing her gratitude to Blooms whose love and support played a vital role in their current milestones.
“Thanks a lot, Blooms, because of you we had our first-ever solo concert… We’re nervous but excited about performing in front of thousands of Blooms because ‘di ba sino ba namang mag-aakala?” she added.
The Nation’s Girl Group delivered unforgettable performances with their signature harmonies and dance routines. Their setlist was a mix of their tracks such as Diyan Ka Lang, Na Na Nandito Lang, 8 and Here With You from their Born To Win, Feel Good and Talaarawan albums.
The BINI girls’ solo turns on stage solidified the group as total performers, showcasing each member’s range of talents inspired by their childhood dreams and idols.
Red-haired Mikha strummed her way to Blooms’ hearts with her electric guitar, covering Paramore’s That’s What You Get and segued to a rock version of Dua Lipa’s Don’t Start Now.
Stacey, the self-confessed “kikay” of the group, made a statement in her favorite color, pink, singing a rendition of Ariana Grande’s thank u, next in her velvety voice.
“Sa mga nagsabing sa’kin na wala akong mararating dahil kikay ako, girly ako, softie ako, well look at me right now, ‘thank u, next,’” she quipped after her performance.
“Mothered,” as Gen Zs described Aiah’s song, rap, and dance performance of Doja Cat’s Woman, wherein she switched the rap part to a Bisaya version.
“I may not be the best singer, rapper or dancer. But I think what’s important is, even if you feel like you’re not the best, the important thing is you try,” Aiah remarked, encouraging fans to do the same, especially when it comes to their passion.
Artsy Maloi, who’s every bit a coquette girl, wowed the crowd with her powerful vocals in her cover of Up Dharma Down’s Oo.
Gwen, on the other hand, pulled off a fierce and jaw-dropping cover of Little Mix’s Woman Like Me despite having colds and feeling under the weather on the first night of the concert.
Jhoanna, who went barefoot in a blue ball gown, mesmerized fans when she belted out her idol Sarah Geronimo’s Isa Pang Araw. She would later joke about thanking the audience for coming to celebrate her debutante party.
The group’s bunso Sheena brought the house down with show-stopping dance moves, oozing with swag in a mash-up of Rihanna’s Woo and Pour It Up.
Channeling her inner Beyoncé with cowboy hat and boots, Colet made the audience go gaga with her singing and twerking to Crazy In Love.
BINI’s performances of fan favorites Karera, Salamin, Salamin, plus earlier songs Born To Win and Strings, needless to say, kept the audience on their feet, impressing them with their live vocals and seamless choreography. During Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi, teal-colored balloons containing handwritten notes from the girls filled up the venue.
A perfect encore capped off the “BINIverse” concert: BINI leaving an impression with their quick outfit transformation from their Da Coconut Nut era to Pantropiko era, gigantic inflatable balls getting passed around, flower-shaped confetti cascading from above, the crowd in revelry while grooving to the choreography of BINI’s viral hit Pantropiko.
The three-hour concert wasn’t a mere showcase of BINI’s musical gifts. It was also a celebration of the girl group’s journey together with their dedicated fanbase who, at one point in the show, held up banners that read “Malayo pa, pero malayo na.”
The show also left a mark on fans as the group encouraged them to pursue their own aspirations in life.
Gerorgine Barrientos, 22, told this paper that witnessing the group perform and talk about their dreams motivated her to hone her craft as an aspiring dancer.
“Memorable sa’kin yung solo ni Sheena kasi sobrang galing niyang sumayaw, and sobrang na-inspire din akong maging kasing galing niya,” she said.
“Since nangangarap din ako na dancer, in some way, huwag ko daw bitawan ‘yung pangarap ko, ‘yun ‘yung tumatak sa’kin.”
The girls’ inspiring words also touched 21-year-old Karl King who shared a lesson from the group: “It’s okay to make mistakes and it’s important that you try. And when you try, that’s already enough, you’re already putting in the work. I think it’s very relatable for us people as well.”
Aside from the Blooms, BINI acknowledged the presence and support from their family, friends, industry colleagues and idols such as Gary Valenciano, and some members of fellow P-pop groups ALAMAT, G22 and VXON.
Exciting times await BINI as they are set to conquer a bigger venue for the grand “BINIVerse” concert on Oct. 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, as announced on the third day of their sold-out show in June.
The major show, organized due to the clamor of fans, will commence after a series of regional and overseas stops for their first solo concert.