BINI wants to help women realize their worth through music

BINI members (from left) Sheena, Gwen, Jhoanna, Mikha, Maloi, Colet, Stacey, and Aiah. Image: Courtesy of Star Music

By: Hannah Mallorca

In a time where women are taking charge of their destiny, BINI has emerged at the forefront of young Filipinas looking for inspiration to keep going. Their smash hit “Pantropiko” catapulted the eight-member girl group into superstar status, and the throng of screaming fans, outpour of activities, and a solo concert on the way is a sign of their stars shining brighter.

The Filipino girl group — consisting of Jhoanna Robles, Aiah Arceta, Colet Vergara, Maloi Ricalde, Gwen Apuli, Stacey Sevilleja, Mikha Lim, and Sheena Catacutan — was launched to the public in June 2021. A string of songs including “Da Coconut Nut,” “Born To Win,” “Golden Arrow,” “Na Na Na,” “Lagi,” “I Feel Good,” and “Karera” were added to their discography, which is akin to BINI exploring genres before finding their sound.

“Ang dami naming in-explore na genre, to be honest. Nag-‘Born To Win’ kami, then biglang nag-cutesy,” Gwen recalled in an interview with INQUIRER.net. “But when we started with ‘Lagi,’ pumatok na siya sa tao. Nag-boom din ang ‘Na Na Na’ sa Tiktok.”

This, in turn, dawned on the group that it was the sign they found their niche. But the group’s leader Jhoanna said they’re open to exploring more genres that showcased their identity as empowered Filipinas.

Empowering women

Apart from their music, BINI’s on- and off-screen personalities — playful, witty, and energetic — made a mark on social media. This led to a stream of people (particularly K-pop fans) joining their fanbase or Blooms. Colet admitted there’s “pressure” in the attention, but they would rather focus on enjoying the journey.

4th Impact takes down fundraiser for dogs after backlash from PAWS, netizens

 

By: Hannah Mallorca

INQUIRER.net / 02:45 PM March 06, 2024

The fundraising campaign put up by 4th Impact for their 200 dogs was taken down from GoFundMe’s official website after the girl group received criticism from the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and netizens.

On Feb. 28, the female P-pop girl sought to raise funds to put up a “farm lot for our 200 Shih Tzu dogs” on the online fundraising platform. “Our journey with our beloved dogs began with a gift from our fans: five precious Shih Tzus,” Elvira said in the now-deleted post. 

“Over time, our passion for these furry companions led to unexpected blessings, but also unexpected challenges,” she continued. “But as our family of dogs multiplied, so did the need for space and resources.”

The online fundraising campaign, however, drew flak from netizens and the animal welfare group on social media, with PAWS appearing to point to them as “irresponsible pet owners” in one of their posts.

One of the negative comments comes from Instagram user @docgab_veterinarian, who creates veterinary content on social media.

“Ang pagpaparami ng mga alagang hayop through ‘mating’ sa sariling bahay na walang kaukulang permit ay tinatawag na ‘backyard breeding’ at ito po ay illegal. Lalo na kung ang mga ito ay ibinebenta o pinagkakakitaan,” he wrote. “Ang ‘inbreeding’ naman ay ang pagtatalik ng magkapatid o anak at magulang na hayop. Ito ay nagreresulta sa mas mahinang mga anak na kadalasan ay maraming sakit at komplikasyon.”

(Having many pet animals through “mating” in their home without a permit is called “backyard breeding” and it’s illegal. Especially if it’s done to sell and earn money. “Inbreeding,” on the other hand, is the mating between siblings or parent. This results in weak animals who go through sicknesses and other complications.)

“Unlike the irresponsible pet owners in the latest celebrity news, pls never ever let your own pets reproduce as there are already so many dogs and cats in need of homes in shelters, in pounds, and on the streets. Spay and neuter is the way to go,” PAWS wrote on Facebook.

However, as of this writing, 4th Impact’s campaign appears to have been taken down from the online fundraising platform as its contents are “not found.”

Members of the girl group, however, have yet to address the online fundraiser as well.

‘Maria Clara at Ibarra,’ ‘KMJS,’ ‘KBYN,’ honored at New York Festivals

GMA shows “Maria Clara at Ibarra” and “Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho” (center), and Noli de Castro of ABS-CBN’ show “KBYN” (right). Images: Facebook / GMA Drama, Facebook / Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, Facebook / KBYN

By: Hannah Mallorca

INQUIRER.net 

ABS-CBN’s “KBYN: Kaagapay ng Bayan” and nine GMA TV projects, including “Maria Clara at Ibarra” and “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS),” were among awardees recognized at the 2023 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards.

The announcement was made during the festival’s virtual Storytellers Gala on Wednesday, April 19, while the list of winners is uploaded on the prestigious festival’s official website.

The KMJS story “Wounds of Woes” and the “Eye of Dark” special report from “The Atom Araullo Specials” earned gold medals for the Documentary categories covering Health/Medical Information and Social Issues.

The KMJS episode revolves around a 14-year-old child of a Filipina overseas Filipino worker in Singapore named Daxen, who was suffering from the skin condition Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, an illness that leads to extensive exfoliation of the skin and mucous membrane. The ailment is considered life-threatening.

Meanwhile, the teleserye “Maria Clara at Ibarra,” “Stand For Truth: Runaway Bride,” and “KBYN” bagged bronze medals under Entertainment: Drama, Documentary: Cultural Issues, and News Program: Best Public Affairs Program categories, respectively.

GMA’s documentary episodes “Born To Be Wild: Primate Planet,” “iWitness: Black Soldier Fly,” “The Atom Araullo Specials: The Missing,” “Reporter’s Notebook: Our School is Sinking,” and “KMJS: Eleven” were likewise recognized as finalists during the festival.

“Maria Clara at Ibarra” star Barbie Forteza took to her personal Twitter page to thank the New York-based festival for the show’s recent milestone.

“Maraming salamat po at mabuhay ang likhang Pilipino,” she wrote. (Thank you very much, and let’s raise our flag for Filipino-made works of art.)

The prestigious awards-giving body recognizes “exceptional and innovative content” in media from different parts of the world.

Filipino shows ‘Maria Clara at Ibarra,’ ‘KMJS,’ ‘KBYN: Kaagapay ng Bayan’ shortlisted for New York Festivals

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