Billboard Philippines
There lies an immense honor in the title “The Nation’s Girl Group.” In South Korea, fans have bestowed the distinguished designation on K-pop juggernauts like Girls’ Generation and TWICE over the years. Yet only one group throughout the Philippines’ rich musical history has received the honorific: Star Music’s eight-member girl group BINI.
With a name inspired by the Filipino word binibini (which means “young lady”), the all-Filipino “Pinoy pop” (P-pop) group — comprising leader Jhoanna and members Aiah, Stacey, Colet, Sheena, Maloi, Gwen and Mikha — was brought together by ABS-CBN’s Star Hunt Academy program and has spent the past four years since its debut making a name for itself. In 2024, after releasing two full-length albums and performing at scores of mall shows and events, BINI finally broke through into the mainstream. The group now has four viral chart-topping singles (“Karera,” “Pantropiko,” “Salamin, Salamin” and “Cherry on Top”) and has received numerous prestigious awards both locally and internationally.
In conversation with Billboard Philippines, Aiah calls 2024 “really BINI’s year. We couldn’t believe that all of this happened in one year alone.” The members of BINI, who in Aiah’s words “started out as a bunch of girls from different parts of the Philippines,” feel substantial pride — and disbelief — about being the No. 1 act in the Philippines. Other top artists in the country, such as renowned folk-pop band Ben&Ben, alternative group Cup of Joe, beloved singer-songwriter TJ Monterde and the soulful Arthur Nery, established themselves as celebrated hit-makers in recent years — yet it was BINI’s dominance that reigned supreme over the past 12 months. And as the group’s popularity grows in and out of the Philippines, BINI’s members take their prominence seriously.
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“We feel honored to be representing the Philippines on the global stage because this has always been our dream to begin with,” Jhoanna says. “Because we [Filipinos] can do it. All you need is the support of our fellow Filipinos. Because with Filipinos, their level of support is different. And I want this to show that we’re capable of this — especially as we bring ourselves onto the global stage.”
Aiah wearing CHED STUDIO Top and Skirt, KATARI Necklace.
Shaira Luna
Colet wearing VIÑA ROMERO Tube top, CHED STUDIO Barong top and Skirt, KATARI Earrings.
Shaira Luna
Such global visibility comes with pressure. “I think [the pressure] is what pushes us to become better,” Maloi says, “and I think it’s OK to be nervous every time that [others] say that we are The Nation’s Girl Group. Because maybe when we’re nervous, it shows that we’re still grounded.”
“[The title] didn’t come from us,” Sheena explains, “it came from the people themselves. It means that they see something in us –– they see potential. So it’s on us to give back and prove to them that we do deserve this title.” Maloi calls the honorific “a responsibility that we should live up to.”
But while “we’re grateful and extremely humbled that there are titles like that given to us,” Sheena says, “the most important thing for us is our connections with our BLOOMs [fans] and the Filipino people.”
On social media today, BINI’s rapidly expanding and fervent fan base of BLOOMs is reminiscent of Taylor Swift’s Swifties, Beyoncé’s Beyhive and BTS’ ARMY.
But because BINI debuted amid the COVID-19 pandemic, its fan base has different — and perhaps more significant — origins. Connecting with audiences proved difficult for the group, so it made an effort to develop its own online community where the members could genuinely relate with fans despite their idol status. “We didn’t have ABS-CBN as a network anymore and we didn’t see many idols who felt authentic to their audiences, which is why we had to [really] find ways in which we could promote ourselves,” Gwen says.
“The pandemic was the time when we tried our very best to be seen online — especially since that was a great opportunity for us to introduce ourselves at that time,” Aiah says. “We did a lot of solo and group content, and we would have assignments so we could also get to tap different markets, age groups and all that. I think it helped us a lot.”
Colet puts it even more directly: “We would do livestreams, vlogs and other gimmicks online, and sometimes we’d just film ourselves doing random things inside the house we were cooped in together — because that was really the only way in which we could let people know that BINI existed at the time,” she says.
Today, BINI has nearly 18 million followers across Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify. It has harnessed the power of those platforms to inspire several dance challenges (especially with 2024’s summer anthem “Pantropiko”) and other interactive content that encouraged their BLOOMs to participate and strengthened the artist-audience bond.
“People want people who are relatable,” Aiah says. “There are so many people who have told me that with all the attention we’ve made online, it turns out that we’re relatable. And that’s great!”
Gwen wearing VIÑA ROMERO Top and Skirt, KATARI Earrings.
Shaira Luna
Jhoanna wearing R.A.F. Dress.
Shaira Luna
Those connections have gone from social media to concert venues. “Whenever we perform, I feel it’s important to not just focus on the cameras but also to look at them in their faces and eyes to make sure they feel as if they’re also with us in this performance,” Mikha says.
“Whenever we see the support of our BLOOMs, it’s what keeps us motivated,” Sheena adds. “They really want us to hit the global stage, which is why we really want to aim for it –– just to tell them that we’ve got you, you know? Like, you can trust us, we can do this, and all we need is your support to keep us pushing.”
But BIN’s rapid ascent hasn’t come without challenges. Its members have faced hateful comments, unfair criticism and privacy breaches that have threatened their mental health. The members of BINI, like Chappell Roan or girl group NewJeans, have been forced to adjust to fame within a very short period. “At first it was really hard,” Sheena says. “It’s true that we’ve waited for this big break –– but it’s so different when you have so many people looking at you. Even if you only mean good things or positivity, they can still take it as a bad thing by twisting your words.”
But the group realizes that, to an extent, this is a reality of the modern digital world. “You really can’t avoid these things,” Colet says. “Before, I was actually the most affected by what I’d read online. But eventually, you learn how to filter what is a genuine comment and what isn’t, or whether its intentions are pure or not.”
Gwen has become mindful of her time online. “You shouldn’t waste your time [on such comments],” she says. “I’ve been dealing with it since my [Pinoy Big Brother] days. It’s really just something you learn.”
But such hateful behavior is tougher to ignore when it makes its way into the physical world. Members of BINI have been followed to their homes — or even to the bathroom — by fans. “Some people, by choice, do not understand nor do they choose to respect our privacy,” Aiah says. “At first it was really overwhelming, and it gave me so much anxiety. Now, it’s become a test of boundaries for us and a test of patience. It’s a learning process to this day.”
On some of her rest days, Jhoanna recalls, fans would pass her home and call her name from outside the window. “It can get really scary because here they are — coming up to my personal space,” she says. “It’s really important to set boundaries because while I do understand why some people would react like that, we’re still people at the end of the day.”
Maloi wearing HAROLD AND HARRY Top, VIÑA ROMERO Skirt, KATARI Earrings.
Shaira Luna
Mikha wearing SHOP YOYA Top, VIÑA ROMERO Skirt, KATARI Necklace.
Shaira Luna
As these cases increased and intensified over the past year, Aiah eventually spoke up on social media, asking fans to respect her privacy. While her comments received a mixed response from fans, Aiah and the rest of BINI were surprised when several other artists expressed gratitude for how she brought attention to the issue.
“Apparently, there are a lot of people who have been afraid about this,” Aiah says. “Ever since we spoke about it, I received a lot of thank-you messages because it was like I was also speaking on behalf of them. It made me realize that with our platform, we really get to represent the local music scene in a lot of different ways that we never expected.”
BINI now represents Filipino music and P-pop on the international stage — and the members want to increase recognition of Filipino music as they expand globally.
“It’s such a great responsibility [to have],” Aiah says. “We’re not just doing this for ourselves, because there are also so many artists out there who believe in this for us, old ones and new ones alike. It’s so cool to see how much trust they’ve put into us, because what happens is not just our success, but it will also come up as everyone’s success.”
But Colet dispels the characterization of BINI’s members as trailblazers. “We’re just following the path of those who came before us in order to sustain what Filipino music is known for so that it can become recognized even more,” she says. “We have so much to offer the international scene, and what comes from the Philippines is truly beautiful.”
To Jhoanna, lifting up other Filipino artists is only fair, since major artists in the country have championed BINI since it debuted, whether posting covers of BINI hits (TJ Monterde’s viral version of “Salamin, Salamin”), inviting BINI’s members to collaborate (Cup of Joe featured Jhoanna in a music video) or celebrating BINI’s milestones.
Promoting their peers is, she says, “our means of giving back to the scene who have given us so much. The [Filipino] scene is so rich, and it deserves recognition of its own merit –– because we started out like so many others from there. We just need the push for them to get bigger and more recognized worldwide.”
“Our goal isn’t just to bring BINI into the international scene — our goal is to have all Filipino artists be appreciated and known internationally as well,” Mikha says. “Since we are representing the country, we want to bring the Philippines with us — incorporating our culture, language, humor, talent and everything else as we move forward in our career.”
Sheena wearing R.A.F. Top and Skirt, PAXON Bolero.
Shaira Luna
Stacey wearing R.A.F. Top and Skirt, KATARI Earrings.
Shaira Luna
In 2025, BINI will have a bigger platform than ever to do just that. After a busy 2024, the group is preparing for more of the same in the new year — at least, when it comes to its calendar. As for new music, Maloi teases something “very unexpected” from what BINI has done thus far. “It’s taking a step up from what we’ve done in the past,” she says. “It’s like a different chapter of BINI –– almost as if we’re evolving into BINI 2.0.”
In 2024, BINI brough its Biniverse tour to Filipino and Canadian markets, wrapping its touring for the year with three November concerts — dubbed Grand Biniverse — at Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, the Philippines, where it announced the forthcoming single “Blink Twice.” The act has also announced a colossal, mid-February show at Bocaue’s 55,000-capacity Philippine Arena. “We still don’t know how it’s going to go,” Colet says, “but whatever happens, we’re just so excited for the day to come because our dreams are finally happening.”
Sticking to what Maloi calls “BINI-core” has helped the group maintain the authenticity its fans have appreciated since its early days — and to gain new ones. “Our core remains the same, which is comprised of our love for our craft, the fans and what we do,” she says. “It’s all still there, and it will only change as we mature and the world we’re working in continues growing with our fandom.” Aiah adds: “With all the success and the music that we have, I want everyone to remember us as people and how we are the same BINI girls after all this time.”
And they’re in it for the long haul — even if, when words like “legacy” get thrown around, it makes Aiah “feel like I’m 50 years old.” Stacey predicts BINI singles like “Pantropiko” and “Da Coconut Nut” will “stick around with anyone, no matter who you ask.”
For now, though, something else transcends all the accolades and recognition BINI has received. “It’s obviously an honor to be recognized as The Nation’s Girl Group,” Maloi says, “but with all those people that we were able to reach, the most important thing is that we realized that we have the power to make people dance.”
Hip-hop has always been one of the biggest and most vibrant genres in the Philippines. For decades, the Filipino hip-hop scene has been home to some of the country’s most riveting and innovative acts, unafraid to challenge norms and determined to tell their stories their own way.
These days, hip-hop continues to evolve and expand faster than any other genre in Filipino music history. From rising to the top of music charts and gaining instant virality to molding youth culture, it’s time to bring Filipino hip-hop from the streets to the rest of the world.
This April, Billboard Philippines unveiled their first-ever Hip-Hop issue, featuring eight cover stars that have been changing and reinventing local hip-hop in their own distinct ways. Made up of O Side Mafia, Hev Abi, Tus Brothers, Zae, Felip, Illest Morena, Playertwo and Hellmerry, this is Billboard Philippines’ Hip-Hop Class of 2024.
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Zae performing “Edi Wag” in February 2024 at the Billboard Philippines studio in Pasig City, Philippines.
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Throughout this month, the Hip-Hop Class of 2024 recently took center stage as they delve deep into the struggles and successes of Filipino hip-hop.
In Billboard Philippines Volumes, the eight artists walk audiences through their start in the hip-hop scene and look ahead with their aspirations for the genre and themselves, as they look to take over the global stage.
As Al Tus puts it: “Hindi mo mapipigilan. Maririnig talaga tayo ng buong mundo.” [You can’t stop it. Everyone in the world is going to hear us.]
Zae performing “Edi Wag” in February 2024 at the Billboard Philippines studio in Pasig City, Philippines.
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As a culmination of Billboard Philippines’ Hip-Hop issue, O Side Mafia, Hev Abi, Tus Brothers, Zae, Felip, Illest Morena, Playertwo and Hellmerry star in a special episode of Billboard Philippines Studios, during which they showcase the true power of Filipino hip-hop.
O Side Mafia — which includes Costa Cashman, Gee Exclsv and Madman Stan — opened the episode with their chart-topping single “GET LOW.” Following them are Al Tus and RudyRude, who make up the hard-core trap duo Tus Brothers, performing “RUN,” and then, Felip — also known as Ken of SB19 — with his commanding voice shined with his performance of “ROCKSTA.” Nearing the first half of the episode, the fierce Zae takes to the stage with “Edi Wag.”
RudyRude and Al Tus of Tus Brothers performing “RUN” in February 2024 at the Billboard Philippines studio in Pasig City, Philippines.
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Hellmerry then takes the floor with his booming performance of “Thai Freestyle,” followed by Ivo Impresso, Luke April and Wave P of Playertwo turning up the party with “Shower Music.” Closing out the show is versatile Illest Morena with “Faded (Raw)” and viral hip-hop star Hev Abi with “Alam Mo Ba Girl.”
Hev Abi performing “Alam Mo Ba Girl” in February 2024 at the Billboard Philippines studio in Pasig City, Philippines.
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Watch the Billboard Philippines Studios performances below:
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Sarah Geronimo, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Moira and more Filipina music icons were given the spotlight at Billboard Philippines’ first-ever Women In Music event, held on Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.The evening marked the first-ever Women In Music event held in the Philippines, after Billboard Philippines officially launched in the country in October 2023. Following in the tradition of the Billboard Women In Music event held annually since 2007, Billboard Philippines will recognize and honor notable women in the Philippine music industry every year as well.
The event was hosted by actress, singer and entertainer Jolina Magdangal, who commenced the festivities shortly after welcoming remarks by Billboard Philippines Publisher Anne Bernisca and a three-song set by acclaimed pop-rock artist Barbie Almalbis.
The first two awards to be given out that evening were both fan-voted, with Belle Mariano winning the Listeners’ Choice award for her song “Bugambilya,” and Morissette bringing home the People’s Choice award. All the awards given out that evening were presented by men in the music industry, to highlight the mutual respect, support and admiration among genders in the Philippine music scene.
Young indie artist Zild went onstage to introduce his friend and peer Ena Mori, whose boundary-pushing pop earned her this year’s Rule Breaker award. The 2023 SXSW Festival performer then gave a compelling rendition of her new single “Heartache Generation,” giving the audience a taste of her offbeat-yet-catchy sound.
Afterward, the P-pop fans in the audience were thrilled by the presence of SB19’s Stell, who then introduced the recipients of the Rising Star award: fellow P-pop trailblazers BINI. The eight-piece girl group then launched into the debut performance of “Salamin Salamin” (Mirror Mirror) from their newly released EP Talaarawan (Diary), showcasing their precise choreography and infectious melodies.
Influencer and online sensation Mimiyuuuh then introduced Hitmaker awardee: singer-songwriter and best friend Moira. The most-streamed Filipina solo artist for seven consecutive years also performed “Before It Sinks In” from her multiplatinum 2018 debut album Malaya (Free).
Next, singer and actress Jackie Lou Blanco accepted the Icon award on behalf of her mother, Filipina music legend Pilita Corrales. The Icon award was presented by Billboard Philippines Editor-In-Chief Bret Jackson.
The Powerhouse award was given to the bestselling Filipino music artist of all time, “Asia’s Songbird” Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, for her enduring presence and influence on succeeding generations of artists and in the music industry as a whole. The award was presented by her husband and Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-Aawit (OPM) president Ogie Alcasid, an accomplished singer-songwriter himself. She then serenaded the audience with a heartfelt cover of Paramore’s “The Only Exception,” a staple of her ongoing Regine Rocks concert series.
Finally, the first Billboard Philippines Woman of the Year award went to Sarah Geronimo, fresh from her appearance at the Billboard Women In Music event in Los Angeles last March 7 as the first Filipina Global Force awardee. Husband, producer and actor Matteo Guidicelli presented the award to an elated Geronimo, who then brought the house down with a performance of two of her most memorable songs, “Dati-Dati” (Before) and “Ikot-Ikot” (In Circles), before host Magdangal closed the celebration with a toast to all women in the music industry who inspire and empower their fellow Filipinas to pursue their dreams as artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, and other key roles in music.
All in all, the very first Billboard Philippines Women In Music event was a rousing success. Not only was it the pioneer Billboard Women In Music event to be held in the country, but it also marked the first time in which women were exclusively and properly recognized for their achievements and impact in the Philippine music industry. There are many more who deserve to be honored, and Billboard Philippines shall ensure that they are represented, celebrated, and remembered in the years to come.
See photos from the inaugural event below.
–This article was written by Jason Caballa for Billboard Philippines
Sarah Geronimo
Image Credit: Billboard Philippines
Sarah Geronimo performs at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
Regine Velasquez
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Regine Velasquez at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
Ogie Alcasid
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Ogie Alcasid at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
Moira
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Moira at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
Belle Mariano
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Belle Mariano at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
Jolina Magdangal
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Jolina Magdangal at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
Anne Bernisca
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Anne Bernisca at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
Bret Jackson
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Bret Jackson at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
Sarah Geronimo
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Sarah Geronimo at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
Jackie Lou Blanco
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Jackie Lou Blanco at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
Morissette
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Morissette at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
Dave Lamar
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Dave Lamar at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
ena mori
Image Credit: Billboard Philippines
ena mori at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
Zild
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Zild Benitez at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
ena mori
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ena mori at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
BINI
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BINI at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
SB19’s Stell
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Stell at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
Mimiyuuuh
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Mimiyuuuh at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
Moira
Image Credit: Billboard Philippines
Moira at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
Franco Laurel
Image Credit: Billboard Philippines
Franco Laurel at Billboard Philippines’ first Women In Music event, held Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
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