The BINI members meet with Filipino-American music executive Marisa Pizarro while rehearsing for their Coachella performance in Burbank, California. Screenshot from video by MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News
(UPDATE) BINI's historic Coachella debut is a source of immense pride not only for Filipinos in the country, but also for those living in the United States, where the popular music festival is held.
It's a sentiment embodied by Filipino-American music executive Marisa Pizarro, who was moved to tears after watching the "Nation's Girl Group" during their dry run on Thursday.
"I worked my whole life to see this," Pizarro told ABS-CBN News, explaining why she turned emotional after watching the girls rehearse in Burbank, California.
"To be able to see Filipino excellence on this stage, I'm so proud of what they've accomplished. It was an honor to watch," added Pizarro, a former vice president for A&R (artists and repertoire) at Universal Music Group's Def Jam Recordings.
Pizarro, whose father is Filipino, was born and raised in New York.
Apart from Def Jam, Pizarro was also part of Epic Records, signing hip hop stars like Future and Travis Scott.
She told ABS-CBN News it was also her late father’s wish for her to help Filipino talents make it to the global stage.
"When I first started working in music, so I was doing hip hop and stuff, my dad was always like, 'Why are you doing this? Can you find a Filipino artist and break them?'" she recalled.
"So, to be able to see this, my dad passed away a year ago, to have this moment, is everything that he has dreamed of," she said.
In another instance during her visit, Pizarro told the girls: "I'm so proud of you. I worked my whole life to see Filipino talent on the global stage."
She added that BINI's Coachella performance — the first by a Filipino act to take the festival stage — was "meaningful" for Filipino-Americans.
During the conversation, Pizarro was still wiping tears from her eyes, prompting the BINI members to become emotional as well.
The group composed of Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha and Sheena will perform at the Mojave Stage on Saturday at 7:15 a.m. (Philippine time) for the festival's first weekend.
Also on Thursday, the octet is set to drop a new extended play titled "Signals." — With a report from MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News
Viewers can follow their historic performance on Coachella's YouTube channel on April 11 at 7:15 a.m. Philippine time.