BINI has been stealing hearts not just in the country. They've also been gaining recognition across the Southeast Asian region. Their infectious energy, captivating performances, and relatable charm have made them a powerhouse in P-Pop. From their summer song craze "Pantropiko," to their groundbreaking fashion statements, BINI is sure to stay.
The eight-member girl group recently concluded their first concert called BINIverse. And because of the demand from their fans, their first concert performance was held for three (!) consecutive sold-out days at the New Frontier Theater.
Now at the peak of their careers (so far), these girls are surely not stopping anytime soon. After their concert, BINI also announced a regional tour and a grand BINIverse—this time, at the Araneta Coliseum. TBH, the girls deserve that major concert venue upgrade.
BINI went through ups and downs as they geared up for the day that they garnered national and even international recognition. They started from scratch and persevered to get to where they are right now. So, we think it's high time for us to look back on how BINI rose to stardom. From their humble beginnings to their current status, here's a timeline that highlights the key milestones that have defined BINI's incredible journey.
A Timeline Of P-Pop BINI’s Rise To Stardom
2018: Nationwide Audition For Star Hunt Academy
ABS-CBN's Star Hunt: The Kapamilya Grand Audition led a nationwide audition for fresh talents for the Star Hunt Academy Program under Direk Lauren Dyogi. After a rigorous selection process, 250 hopefuls went down to 50, and from 50, they narrowed it down to the final 12 members of the first female Star Hunt Academy trainees.
August 2019: Introduced As Star Hunt Academy Girl Trainees
Did you know that BINI is supposed to debut as a nine-member girl group? However, the 12 trainees, a.k.a SHA Girls Trainees, were cut down to eight girls: Maraiah Queen Arceta (Aiah), Ma. Nicolette Vergara (Colet), Gweneth Apuli (Gwen), Jhoanna Christine Robles (Jhoanna), Mary Loi Yves Ricalde (Maloi), Mikhaela Janna Lim (Mikha), Stacey Aubrey Sevilleja (Stacey), and Sheena Mae Catacutan (Sheena).
The girls slowly made their way into the media as the face of Star Hunt Academy through its YouTube vlog show, Star Hunt Vlogs: Star Hunt Trainee TV. In the vlogs, they usually play a game that displays their fun and playful personalities.
August 2019 to October 2020: Training
Before debuting as a girl group, the girls went through a one-year training under Kitchy Molina, a professional vocal coach and former chair of the Department of Voice, Music Theater, and Dance at the University of the Philippines College of Music.
The girls also trained under South Korean coaches from MU Doctor Academy.
On October 22, 2020, Director Lauren Dyogi uploaded a video on Youtube introducing the final lineup of BINI from Star Hunt Academy and shared stories of how they made it into the final cut. If you’re curious, here’s the breakdown per member:
- Gwen: Gwen made her first appearance on TV in the show Pinoy Big Brother (PBB). After the program, she was scouted by Direk Dyogi and was invited to train. Gwen originally came from Bicol and aspired to be an actress. Director Dyogi revealed that few months after training, she made a decision to leave and go back to her hometown. But she went back right after making the decision to take on the chance of being an idol.
- Sheena: Sheena came from PBB as well and was part of a dance group before BINI. She was scouted by Director Dyogi to be a trainee because they saw her determination as an idol and as a talent.
- Maloi: Maloi is from Cavite and she went for an audition for Star Hunt. Director Dyogi expressed that it was Maloi's bubbly personality—on top of her talent—that made her exceptional.
- Mikha: Mikha's journey began with cheerleading at DLSU Laguna during her high school years. Director Dyogi describes her as mature, disciplined, confident, and outspoken—qualities that make her well-suited to be an idol.
- Stacey: Stacey had always dreamt of becoming a beauty queen. However, with this opportunity, she has grown and developed into a skilled performer. Director Dyogi said that he had witnessed how Stacey has opened up and has really developed her great personality in this path she chose.
- Colet: Before the training, Colet was quite conservative, especially in how she carried herself; she was hesitant to wear sleeveless clothing. Director Dyogi said that it's truly surprising to see how much confidence she has since developed, not only in her sense of style, but also in her performance skills.
- Aiah: Aiah was the final member to make it onto the group's final roster. Coming from a background in pageantry, she previously represented Cebu as a beauty queen. Director Dyogi, interestingly, said that becoming a trainee was not initially part of her plans, as she had always dreamed of continuing her path as a beauty queen.
- Jhoanna: Before joining BINI, Jhoanna had attended numerous auditions without success until finally receiving an offer. Director Dyogi was impressed by her unwavering determination to pursue her dreams. In the months following her training, she indeed proved her potential and her role as an idol.
May 2020 to October 2020: Training Performances
As part of the training, the girls performed in different events such as the 2019 Manila Southeast Asian Games Thanksgiving celebration.
The girls participated in the Philippine Kpop Convention's Happy Hallyu Day 4 event where they performed K-pop covers like Red Velvet's "In & Out," Twice's "More & More," and Blackpink's "How You Like That."
November 2020 to December 2020: Pre-Debut
In November 2020, BINI, a rising music group, released their pre-debut single, "Da Coconut Nut." Then, the next day, they had their first live performance on It's Showtime. With hearts racing and excitement in the air, BINI took the stage, ready to wow the crowd.
After that month, they signed a contract with Star Magic as an official P-Pop girl group about to debut in 2021.
June 4, 2021: Official Debut Of Single "Born To Win"
June 4, 2021, was a day to remember as BINI made waves with a surprise appearance at The Runway, surprising audiences with outfits crafted by Filipino fashion designer Francis Libiran. But the excitement didn't end there. BINI also dropped their debut single, "Born to Win," on all major streaming platforms, doubling down on their debut day and igniting a flurry of anticipation among their devoted fans.
Then, on June 11, 2021, the spotlight shone brightly on BINI as they officially launched under ABS-CBN Entertainment. This marked a significant milestone for the girl group, solidifying their place in the music industry. As part of the grand launch, BINI premiered the official music video for their debut single.
September 30, 2021: Performance At The Miss Universe Philippines Coronation Night
Another fun fact about their 'Born to Win' performance: BINI actually performed it at the Miss Universe Philippines 2021 pageant on September 30.
2022: Launch Of Feel Good Album
In February 2022, BINI graced the cover of the Dubai-based magazine Xpedition. This feature celebrated their talents and presence, highlighting their unique synergy as two dynamic groups in the entertainment industry.
Following the second quarter of 2022, they also launched their hit song, "Lagi" along with their Feel Good album, which they filmed in the colorful backdrop of the Dessert Museum.
The same year, BINI took the stage with SB19 to deliver a powerful rendition of "Kabataang Pinoy" during PBB Kumunity.
November 2022 : BINI at the Global Peace Festival 2022
BINI performed at the Global Peace Festival 2022 in Clark Pampanga. They performed songs from their 2022 Feel Good Album including "Strings," "Lagi," and "No Fear."
2023: Talaarawan Album And "Pantropiko" Rise To P-Pop
BINI had a groundbreaking day on March 8, 2024, when they dropped their first EP, Talaarawan. This EP includes six tracks, including hits like "Karera" and "Pantropiko."
ALSO READ: Fun And Fearless: BINI Blooms As The P-Pop Powerhouse We All Need
Their journey to fame kicked off with "Pantropiko," which trended on TikTok and Instagram, sparking a massive dance trend. Millions jumped on the "Pantropiko" Dance Challenge, pushing BINI into the spotlight. By the end of the month, "Pantropiko" garnered three million monthly Spotify listeners, making them the top P-pop group in the country and secured Spotify's number-one spot for three consecutive days.
May 2023: First All-Star Games Performance
You're probably still on a high from their recent performance in the All-Star Games but did you know that it wasn't BINI's first time performance in the arena? They performed their "I Feel Good" song at the 2023 Star Magic All-Star Games.
February 2023: Modess Girls
Modess proudly announced BINI as their newest ambassador. This partnership not only highlights BINI's growing influence in the entertainment industry but also their rise as a P-pop stars.
July 28, 2023: Release of 'Super Crunch' for Super Crunch Snacks Advertisement
Super Crunch snacks brand collaborated with BINI to create an upbeat jingle called "Super Crush." This partnership also revealed the versatility and playful personality of the group.
January 2024 to May 2024: More Brand Partnerships (Shopee, Jollibee, and More!)
If you made it this far of the article and you're still wondering whether you've heard BINI somewhere else, well, you probably have. As BINI keeps rising as a model of P-Pop, they were able to secure multiple high-profile partnerships with famous brands. They kicked off 2024 by becoming ambassadors for Samsung's new Galaxy A series in March.
Shortly after, they teamed up with Puregold supermarket, releasing a collaborative music video titled, "Nasa Atin Ang Panalo."
You probably heard them while online shopping because BINI became a brand ambassador for the e-commerce platform Shopee.
It was indeed a jampacked first quarter of 2024 because, in June, they also expanded their brand portfolio further by joining Filipino fast food giant, Jollibee, as ambassadors.
Aside from food, gadgets, and e-commerce platforms, BINI has been making waves even in the cosmetic and beauty industry. On May 31, their collaboration with POND'S was released. In the POND'S advertisement, they danced to their hit song, "Salamin, Salamin."
Indeed, we do hear BINI anytime, anywhere beyond their greatest hits!
June 2024: "Karera" And "Pantropiko" Performance At Star Magic All-Star Games 2024
BINI performed their hit songs "Pantropiko" and "Karera" during the halftime show at this year's Star Magic All-Star Games. The energetic performance thrilled the audience, showcasing their dynamic stage presence. In addition, Mikha from BINI also joined the volleyball lineup for the All-Star Games.
June 28, 2024 - "BINIverse" Concert Tour
Finally, the wait is over for Blooms (their fandom name, ICYDK )with the announcement of BINI's first-ever major solo concert. The 'BINIverse'had fans excited at the New Frontier Theater on June 28, 2024. This concert not only marks a milestone for the group but also serves as a celebration of their third anniversary in the music industry.
Tickets went on sale on April 2, 2024, and they sold out only after two hours. Responding to overwhelming demand, BINI added an extra date to the concert lineup, with tickets for the additional show on April 9, 2024. Minutes later, a third day was announced, serving as a heartfelt anniversary gift to their devoted fans.
Later on, Star Music announced the dates for BINI's North American tour, bringing their electrifying performances to cities across Canada, from Vancouver to Toronto.
