Concert director Paolo Valenciano opened up about witnessing BINI make history at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, calling it such a "big deal" for OPM.
The Nation’s Girl Group became the first-ever all-Filipino act to debut at the globally renowned music festival, marking a milestone not just for their career but for the entire Filipino music industry.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, Paolo revealed that he was among the many Filipinos who tuned in to the livestream to watch BINI’s debut performance last April 11 (PH time). What began as a simple viewing on his mobile phone quickly turned into a more immersive experience. He shared that he eventually switched to watching on a television screen, wanting to fully take in what he described as a surreal and emotional moment.
“Nakakaproud talaga siya, as in, nakakaiyak siya while watching,” he began.
“Sabi ko, ‘Oh my God, sobrang ganda nito’. And more than the production value, it felt like the creative choices, the song choice, the choreo, the outfits, that in itself was the statement. So the moment they came out, nag-reveal pa sila di ba? Parang you really felt seen as Filipinos.”
For Paolo, the performance sparked a realization he did not expect.
“I never understood before. I never understood why the Americans kept talking about representation... Parang I never really cared if I would see Filipinos on a Coachella stage or in Hollywood. It was something that didn't really resonate with me. I didn't need to see them there because I was proud of what they were doing here. But the moment BINI started performing and the moment they ended their set, it was such a new feeling, a new experience.”
READ: BINI Mikha slips on Coachella stage, prompting concern from fans
“Di ko siya ma-explain, sobrang proud lang. Parang, ‘My God, they're from here. They're my kababayans’ and I'm just so proud of the whole team.”
Still riding on that pride, Paolo said he personally reached out to key people behind BINI’s performance, including their choreography coach Mickey Perz, as well as the group leader, Jhoanna.
“It's such a big deal. Bigger than what people say. Of course, they're getting so much support, but I don't think people realize how important that performance was. And true enough, if you see the numbers, I think they're second to Justin Bieber. They're one of the most viewed performances of that night. Actually, I think Coachella overall.”
“Si Jhoanna, actually, I reached out to her and I told her, you have no idea how important this was for our industry,” he said. “I don't think they'll understand how important it was, but it's a very big deal... A lot of Pinoys have been trying to break into the global stage and they did it with flying colors.”
Amid discussions online about the camera work during BINI’s first weekend performance, Paolo, speaking from experience as a concert director, clarified that such aspects were beyond the group’s control.
READ: BINI proudly carries the Philippine flag and language at Coachella
“Well, that's not their fault. That's the Coachella team shooting that performance. And I've worked with BINI before... Medyo tricky talaga working with BINI kasi eight sila. Yung SB19 nga mahirap kasi five, ito may tatlo pa. You can nitpick and say the camera shots could've been better, pero wala eh, at that point, na-distract na ako sa sobrang galing nung ginagawa nila on stage. So it was, for me, forgivable.”
Beyond BINI, he also expressed excitement for what he described as a banner year for Filipino artists making waves globally, including SB19 going to Lollapallooza and KATSEYE’s Sophia Laforteza also headlining Coachella this year.
“It's a great year, I think, for OPM... Nakakaproud kasi now they're going to realize na may mga Pinoy artists na magaling na who have so much to offer to the world. And because of what they've done, it's going to open up way more opportunities for all the artists here.”
“This is just the beginning. And I'm very, very proud of them. I'm very excited,” Paolo said.