With chart-topping hits, sold-out shows and concerts, a slew of advertisements, and a number of trophies and recognitions under their belts, there’s definitely no doubt that BINI is indeed among the most successful Filipino artists in the country at present. Thus, the title “The Nation’s Girl Group” unquestionably suits them so well.
Since they’ve become immensely popular and have obtained a huge throng of followers, it’s truly inevitable for people within and outside their fandom to be curious about each of its eight members, namely, Jhoana Robles, Aiah Arceta, Colet Vergara, Maloi Ricalde, Gwen Apuli, Stacey Sevilleja, Mikha Lim, and Sheena Catacutan. So, just in case your knowledge about them is still meager and you wish to know them further, watch these clips of their previous interviews in “Magandang Buhay” that we collated in this Toplist!
Prior to being part of our beloved “walo hanggang dulo,” the BINI members actually had already started pursuing careers related to the entertainment industry. BINI Stacey used to be into pageantry and modeling back at her hometown in Nueva Vizcaya, which really helped her build her confidence since she’s a self-confessed “mahiyain” before.
BINI Aiah took a similar path when she was still based in Cebu, as she recounted juggling her pageant and modeling stints with her studies. The earnings she got from those side hustles allowed her to rely less on her parents when it comes to finances since she could already afford buying her personal needs and paying for her school requirements on her own.
Those who got to watch the afternoon soap opera “Kadenang Ginto” might have already seen BINI Jhoanna in several scenes of lead characters Marga and Cassy, portrayed by Andrea Brillantes and Francine Diaz, as she played the role of one of their schoolmates. “Master Jho” even gave us a sample of her promising acting chops opposite Momshie Melai.
It was not only Jhoana who got to take part in a Kapamilya series but also BINI Mikha, who talked about her first foray in acting, which was the teen-oriented series “He’s Into Her,” wherein she assumed the role of Elle Luna. Just like any newbie, she imparted how she used to be not so accustomed with her castmates since she initially didn’t know them, as well as with the environment since she was used to being confined inside the BINI house along with her fellow members
“Sobrang thankful kasi ang dami kong natutunan sa acting, sa mga tao doon, and it actually helped me rin sa performance ko. Kasi acting, tumutulong siya sa pag-express ng emotions and when we perform, we also have to learn how to display those emotions,” she related. Mikha also added that it made her miss the other BINIs since she wasn’t able to see and be with them for quite some time due to tapings.
Not a lot of people may know this, but Mikha actually used to be part of De La Salle University’s cheerdance company, which, according to her, helped her develop flexibility. She even gave a sample of a yell like a cheerdancer with the support of the other BINI members.
Isabela’s pride BINI Sheena surprised everyone when she divulged being part of a local all-male dance group. It happened after she and a friend of hers, who’s also a girl, were discovered by its leader at a dance contest and asked them if they would like to join. She was anxious at first since she was mostly surrounded by boys, yet she was still able to keep pace with them since hip-hop is really her forte.
Members Colet, Maloi, and Gwen, on the other hand, started out as singers. BINI Colet shared that her passion for music was actually an influence of her dad, who used to be a drummer of a local band in Bohol. Thus, he grew up listening to music, such as those by Air Supply.
Aside from singing, she also knows how to play guitar and taught herself how to play piano during their free time at the BINI house through watching tutorials on the internet.
BINI Maloi from Batangas indeed amused the momshie-hosts and the audiences alike when she sampled common Batangueño expressions. Besides, she exhibited her talent in playing the ukulele while singing Janine Teñoso’s rendition of “Di Na Muli” by The Itchyworms.
It seems that performing in front of the crowd is already not new to BINI Gwen since she frequently participated in amateur singing contests when she was just a kid. Her ultimate favorite singer is Sarah Geronimo, and she even sang one of her hits “Sa Iyo.”
Apart from being BINI members, there’s another thing that Stacey, Maloi, and Gwen had in common—they used to be majorettes in their respective hometowns and had mastered the art of baton twirling, which they showed in an episode of “Magandang Buhay.”
While it was really fun to watch, not a lot of people know that it was also the reason why Stacey had experienced bullying after their coordinator tapped her to become a “mother majorette,” which had been her dream ever since she was a kid, and many of her fellow majorettes got mad at her.
With all the opportunities coming into them, BINI members made sure that their hard-earned money would be put into profitable and long-lasting investments. Take, for example, Colet, who franchised a Korean egg drop food business in Bohol because of her love for Korean food.
Gwen, meanwhile, has already bought a land for herself and got their family’s dilapidated house in Albay renovated. According to her, she’s now more at ease that her family is now safer whenever typhoons would ravage the country again. And lastly, Jhoanna, who, apart from providing financial support to her family, has also invested for her own condominium unit.
Which among these fun facts about the eight members of BINI surprised you the most, Kapamilya?