BINI eyes global stage

The girls of Bini are launched as the new endorsers of fast food giant Jollibee during the event, ‘Cheesy Yumburger Best Fest,’ at Trinoma. The eight-member group — composed of Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Gwen, Maloi, Mikha, Sheena, and Stacey — have also expressed their heartfelt gratitude to their fans, also called Blooms, whose strong support has been instrumental in their three-year journey to becoming the leading P-pop girl group.

Photos by Anthony Abad

Lyka Nicart - The Philippine Star 

June 24, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — BINI is more proud than pressured to represent Original Pilipino Music (OPM) on a global stage.

The eight-member girl group — composed of Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Gwen, Maloi, Mikha, Sheena, and Stacey — recently expressed their heartfelt gratitude to their fans, also called Blooms, whose strong support has been instrumental in their three-year journey to becoming the leading P-pop girl group.

Debuting in June 2021 after two years of training under ABS-CBN’s Star Hunt Academy, they have since been dubbed by fans as the “Nation’s Girl Group.” They would become a nationwide success after releasing Pantropiko in November 2023. The song went viral and launched a dance craze on TikTok and other social media platforms.  

By March this year, they were recognized as the first Filipino pop group with the most monthly listeners on Spotfiy and the first to top the Billboard Philippine Songs chart.

Early this month, they scored a more impressive Spotify record after becoming the first Filipino act to break into the Global Top Artist chart at the 193rd spot. They currently enjoy 6.8 million monthly listeners. 

Besides Pantropiko, their other hits are Karera, Salamin, Salamin and Lagi.

“We just want to say thank you so much to our Blooms and to everyone supporting our songs. We couldn’t have gotten here if it weren’t for you guys,” said Mikha. “And to be representing OPM, it’s such an honor. We promise we will not disappoint and we will continue to take OPM into the international scene.”

Mikha also said that they intend to handle the pressure positively, using it to get better. “We make sure that the pressure doesn’t get to us, but we use it in a way where in we’re able to improve,” she added. 

Gwen, another member, stressed that they’ve always tried to incorporate Pinoy culture into their music and performances. To recall, their pre-debut song was their dance version of the Smokey Mountain hit Da Coconut Nut.  

“From the beginning, we always try to show Philippine culture in our songs, performances, and style,” Gwen said.

She is happy that their efforts are being noticed, which helps Filipino talent get more recognition.

“We’re very happy na ngayon nare-recognize na siya. And if naka-contribute na po kami ‘dun, we’re thankful kasi mas lumalawak na po ‘yung naabot ng Filipino talent.”

BINI got to share their thoughts on OPM representation internationally when they were launched as the latest brand ambassadors of the homegrown but global fast food chain Jollibee.

They were officially introduced as the new faces of the brand’s Double Cheesy Yumburger last June 17 at the TriNoma Mall Activity Center in Quezon City. During the event dubbed as “Cheesy Yumburger Best Fest,” attendees and guests got a first look at BINI’s 47-second music video commercial for the fast food brand, which reworked and featured the group’s viral hit Pantropiko.

“It’s about feeling good, having fun, and enjoying the moment, which is what our music is all about, too,” said Jhoanna of their new endorsement project. 

For BINI, teaming up with a proudly Filipino brand feels like a dream.

“It’s a brand that’s just as much fun and as vibrant as we are. Also, being a proud Filipina group, we’re so happy that we get to be part of the Jollibee fam,” Jhoanna also said.

Meanwhile, BINI enthralled fans with live performances of Salamin, Salamin and Karera during the Best Fest event hosted by Robi Domingo.

The girls, sans Aiah, also interacted with fans in a mini dance-off on stage, highlighting the key choreography from BINI’s TV commercial.

Blooms are in for exciting treats as the latest collaboration — a fusion of food, fun, and fandom — is set to bring “plenty of surprises” such as special appearances and exclusive content.

BINI is set to hold their first solo three-day concert, titled “BINIVerse,” at the New Frontier in Quezon City on June 28, 29, and 30. Tickets are already sold out.

I am speechless

PEOPLE use speechless in these cases to show how stunned or moved they were, even though they were probably still capable of speech. “I’m speechless” often really means “I’m shocked!”

If you are speechless, you are temporarily unable to speak, usually because something has shocked you.

Is speechless positive or negative? Oftentimes, “speechless” has a negative connotation, because of its connection to anger, jealousy, etc. For example, “My mom was speechless when she heard me cuss out my grandmother.” In such a sentence, “tongue-tied” wouldn’t be appropriate.

Anyway, sometimes there is no sense in crying, but we feel paralyzed. A good friend of mine told me that a couple of days ago. Words cannot describe it and words fail me, but I wouldn’t be a writer, if I couldn’t express the right words at the right moment.

After the long talk with my friend, I must confess that, many times, I also felt speechless and paralyzed.

Look at this: follow ups seem to become the new national character. Indifferent people in our surroundings let us feel like that every day. Indifference seems to become one of the vagaries in today’s new society.

We try to get an appointment, but the other side seems to be very busy – every day of the week! Of course, we don’t want to encroach on other people’s time. Let’s try again tomorrow! How do you feel, if you observe certain employees, who should be in service of the people, instead of reading a magazine, doing private telephone calls, doing (important!) text messages and getting down-right cheeky, if we started uncounted follow ups. Then, suddenly, we have to learn that “the boss is out of town” or so… GRABE!

Yes, I might fall out of favor with some readers with today’s column, but guys, what’s the difference between being busy, making a good deal of money out of something and just being indifferent or “not in the mood” to entertain people.

I can tell you frankly: Many people feel paralyzed and experience a terrible loss of power of movement or sensation while dealing with uselessness, if indifference, arrogance and ignorance determine the different situations in our daily life.

If the promise has been given to help or support someone, it shouldn’t be broken by endless excuses and terrible stalling tactics. A “YES” is a “YES” and a “NO” should be a “NO” and not “MAYBE”, if a promise can’t be held understandable and comprehensive.

I don’t like to let somebody wait for an answer or during an appointment. I try to look after it or take care of it. If I have been informed that somebody tried to contact me, but missed me, I really do everything to find him or her. What’s bad about it? Sorry, I really don’t like being late or “remaining silent”.

How many good ideas and highly appreciated business deals had gone with the wind because of uncomprehending, unsympathetic and unappreciated everyday deals between fellow creatures? Can you get the hang of it?

Yes, sometimes I also feel uncomfortable while observing lost chances. Remember; we don’t get anything for nothing in the whole word – sure! But first, we should learn how to keep promises, to help each other, to be honest and to be one of the leaders of national stabilization and consolidation.

What are some things you should never do in Germany as a tourist?

 

Thomas L. Johnson

Former Top Writer (2015-18) & Top Question Writer (2016-18)

I sometimes feel like I have answered this question 100 times, but maybe that is because I have discovered so many ways of screwing up as a tourist in Germany.

• If you are one of those jerks who typically hogs the left lane to force faster cars to pass you on the right, don’t. No left lane lollygagging in Germany.
• If you are one of those people who think it is the height of manners to hide your left hand on your lap when you eat, don’t. Two fisted eating is the norm in Germany. Switching fork and knife from hand to hand as you cut meat or veggies is something that will get you looks.
• If you have been paying attention at all, you know that you will be shamed and even fined if you put your shod feet up on a train seat or other piece of furniture. You also know that crossing on anything but a green light outside of certain neighborhoods of Berlin is considered akin to child abuse. You are to be an example to the children.
• You should never use the hotel sauna or steam room if you will be offended when the beefy couple you saw at breakfast fully clothed is sweating away fully unclothed. Just don‘t stare.
• You should never order a bottomless cup of coffee or expect a glass of free ice water with your meal. You should order your beer or bottled water and just enjoy the privilege of keeping the restaurant from going bankrupt.
• You should not think the waitstaff is rude if they do not come by every ten minutes to ask if everything is okay. When you want to pay, you need to make eye contact and tell that person you want to pay. And be prepared to pay with cash.
• Finally, as a tourist, you should relax and enjoy the best Germany has to offer. No country puts more effort into being more tourist friendly. Even the small towns will have a competent tourist office.