Meet BINI: The next big thing in P-pop
The Filipino girl group is a sound all their own, and their next stop is Coachella 2026 as the first P-pop group to play the festival
BINI is an eight-member Filipino girl group that debuted back in 2021.
Courtesy of Star Music/ABS-CBN Corporation
Words by Julienne Pal Loreto
Filipino girl group BINI has been making headlines nonstop recently, especially after they were announced as the first P-pop act to perform at Coachella in April 2026. And with each new achievement, they’re shining a brighter spotlight on the genre.
A lot of people still dismiss P-pop as just K-pop by Filipinos, and the members of BINI acknowledge that K-pop has inspired them. “Our management originally had Red Velvet as a peg, specifically because of their duality,” they tell JoySauce.
Their admiration for Red Velvet, as well as other groups like BLACKPINK and TWICE, is no secret. The eight members of BINI say that the biggest misconception about them is that P-pop groups are trying to copy the K-pop sound. “We have our favorite K-pop groups, but our music is influenced by a lot of things—Western sounds, Latin beats, and even our own Filipino sound,” they point out. As for their own sound, they say, “When pop, R&B, and hip-hop come together, that makes us BINI.”
If you’re not a Bloom (BINI fan) yet, here’s what you need to know before their new album F.L.A.M.E.S. drops Thursday.
Unity in diversity
Rapper Aiah, 24, was born and raised in Cebu, where the Cebuano language, locally known as Bisaya, is predominantly spoken. “Growing up, I would alternate between Bisaya and English,” she says. In high school, she was bullied for her awkward demeanor, but it didn’t stop her from winning a national pageant title—Miss Silka Philippines 2018—at 17. She became more fluent in Tagalog upon moving to Manila for BINI training a year later.
Likewise, 24-year-old Colet says, “I was born and grew up in Bohol, so my native language is Bisaya.” Bohol is a vibrant rural island next to Cebu. “When we were trainees, I was very quiet, as my Tagalog was not that fluent, but I eventually got comfortable with it, as well as English, through the years.”
Maloi, 23, grew up in the quaint city of Lemery, Batangas. Her first language is Tagalog, but she says the people in her province have “a certain accent and some words that are different from (standard) Tagalog.”
Despite the language barrier, Colet and Maloi quickly became good friends during their trainee days. In addition to their impressive voices, the vocalists are both breadwinners for their families.
Vocalist Gwen and rapper Stacey, both 22, were both raised by single mothers. Although they’re comfortable speaking Tagalog and English, they grew up hearing different tongues in their home provinces.
“I was raised in Bicol, so I speak Bicolano as well,” Gwen shares. She’s one of the eldest in BINI, but is the youngest of five in her family. Finding success with BINI has allowed her to lift her mother and older brothers out of poverty.
Stacey adds, “I can also speak Ilocano, our native (language) in Nueva Vizcaya, in the northern part of the Philippines, where I grew up.” She got her love for all things pink and girly from her fashionista mother Ivy, whose constant support and love Stacey repaid by helping Ivy pursue a culinary degree.
At 22, rapper Mikha has roots in many places. Her father John Lim is a Chinese Filipino from Bicol, while her mother Myrla is Ilonggo. “I was born in Cebu, was raised in Cavite, spent two years in Laguna, and eventually ended up living in Metro Manila,” Mikha says. “My family speaks English at home and that’s why I can sometimes articulate better in English. But I definitely can speak Tagalog too when needed.”
Group leader and vocalist Jhoanna states, “I’m most comfortable with Tagalog, though I’ve gotten used to using English more when we talk to international fans or conduct interviews with the English-speaking press.” Growing up in Calamba, Laguna, the 21-year-old actually dreamed of becoming a reporter herself.
Sheena was only 14 when she first graced TV screens on the reality show Pinoy Big Brother in April 2019. Her mother died in the middle of her training for BINI. Behind her powerful moves and viral humor, the 21-year-old dancer is a young woman who has worked hard to chase her dreams, despite her pain. “Tagalog is my comfort language and (I can speak) English when needed,” she says.
There are so many ways to be Filipino. With their diverse languages and stories, the members of BINI are proof of that. In their differences, they find unity. “Being Filipino is about warmth and togetherness, and that spirit shines through no matter what language we use,” the group states. They assert that whether they sing in English or any other language, their music celebrates Filipinos’ deep sense of community, family oriented cultures, and stories of love and joy.
Involved in every step of the way
The members of BINI have always been hands-on with their music. Even since their early days, they’ve been contributing lyrics and production to their songs.
Colet, who is recognized for her booming belts and opera-esque head voice, is credited with arranging vocals for their 2021 debut single “Born to Win.” And while Maloi is known for her silky, soulful singing, she also co-wrote and performed a rap section for their debut-era B-side “Kinikilig” (Giddy). “Having creative freedom makes the music feel truly ours, and we think fans can feel that sincerity when they listen,” the group shares.
Many people like to belittle women’s artistry, especially if they present in a more feminine way, and the BINI members are certainly no strangers to people dismissing their music as simplistic fluff that takes no effort to perform. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Like the members themselves, BINI’s songs are diverse. For example, their 2022 track “Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi” (Let’s Not Go Home Yet) is a pop-rock ballad with gritty electric guitars and all-out belting. “Strings,” which they all wrote together, is a mix of hip-hop and swing music, with a nonlinear structure—it’s really unlike anything else you’ll hear in the idol world. And “Cherry on Top,” and BINI’s recent single, “First Luv,” are marketed with dreamy pastel visuals, but the bass goes hard on both tracks.
The group’s music also demands athletic stamina and incredible lung power. Yet these ladies are expected to maintain radiant smiles as they perform extreme feats in heels. “The mics are always on, guys,” they say. “And we trained very hard for years to be able to do that.” The members would also like to dispel the misconception that they lipsync.
The recipe to success
BINI’s tagline is “walo hanggang dulo” meaning “eight until the end.” Each member can sing, dance, and rap, but they all bring something different to the group, something irreplaceable.
Jhoanna says that Stacey “radiates the group with a bright and playful energy. Even when we’re tired, she knows how to make us laugh and keeps the mood light.”
Stacey describes Maloi as having “amazing” vocal power. “When she sings, it just gives me goosebumps,” Stacey says. “She also has such a gentle and caring side that really grounds us.”
About Colet, Maloi describes her as “so creative and hardworking, especially with vocals and harmonies. She always motivates us to always give our best while making us feel supported.”
Colet says that while Gwen is a “certified introvert,” she transforms onstage. “She has one of the best facial expressions when performing,” Colet says. “She has a graceful presence about her.”
Gwen says that they all tend to dote on their youngest, Sheena. But she’s also “a standout dancer who never holds back in performances, and that dedication drives us to keep leveling up,” Gwen says, adding that Sheena has the loudest laugh.
Sheena describes Aiah, the eldest member of the group, as having “a calm, confident vibe that reassures us when we’re nervous. She’s also incredibly thoughtful and caring,” adding that “she loves to travel and her adventurous spirit is something that we admire about her.”
Aiah says that Mikha is just as adventurous as she is, as well as the group’s social butterfly. “Mikha has this cool, charismatic energy that shines both on and off stage. She is someone who can always bring the power to a performance,” Aiah says.
Mikha wraps it up with some praise for their leader. “Jhoanna is the perfect leader for us,” Mikha says. “She really holds us together. She’s reliable, organized and determined. We respect her, despite being the second youngest in the group.”
BINI's new album drops on Thursday.
Courtesy of Star Music/ABS-CBN Corporation
The recipe for BINI’s magic is really just eight young women who plan to stick together, no matter what the future holds. And Coachella 2026 is now a part of that future. The group was shocked to find out that they got into the lineup, something they’d been manifesting since they were trainees. When asked, the group gave JoySauce some hints about their upcoming set. “We can’t reveal everything yet, but what we can say is we’re preparing a set that feels true to us: energetic, colorful, and very connected to our roots,” they tease. “Expect surprises, expect choreography, and expect us to give our whole hearts on that stage.”
They add, “There will be the songs Blooms know and love, but with some twists that are meant just for Coachella. We want to represent the Philippines proudly while also making sure every person in that crowd, no matter where they’re from, feels the joy and energy of our music.”
Published on November 19, 2025
Words by Julienne Pal Loreto
Julienne Pal Loreto (they/them) is a writer and university student. Their work has appeared in various publications across countries, such as Positively Filipino (United States), The Line of Best Fit (United Kingdom), and The Philippine Daily Inquirer. You can find them on Instagram at @julienneloreto.