Female P-pop group BINI brings a vibrant and refreshing sound in their diary-inspired extended play Talaarawan, which was released over the weekend.
Members Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna and Sheena tackle the youth’s perspective on friendship, love and navigating through life in their first mini-album that features six songs: “Salamin, Salamin,” Ang Huling Cha Cha,” “Na Na Nandito Lang,” “Diyan Ka Lang” and their recent hits “Karera” and “Pantropiko.”
“Very excited kami sa ilalabas namin dahil this will be our first EP. Gusto namin ma-feel ng supporters namin na para nila kaming diary na puwede nilang lapitan about anything kasi gano’n ’yung bond namin sa kanila. It’s an open communication (We’re very excited what we’re releasing because this is our first EP. We would like our supporters to feel that we’re like their diary that they can approach for anything because that’s how our bonding with them),” Jhoanna said.
For Jhoanna, being a BINI member is not a walk in the park, more so last year when she joined the cast of the musical Tabing Ilog while also pursuing her Senior High education.
“Hindi talaga madaling pagsabayin ’yung Tabing Ilog, ’yung teatro in general, at ’yung pagiging P-pop idol (It’s not easy doing both Tabing Ilog, theater in general, and being a P-pop idol),” she said.
“May masa-sacrifice ka talaga. Siguro ang na-sacrifice ko is ’yung tulog and kain. Pero worth it naman lahat (You will sacrifice one thing. Maybe I sacrificed sleeping and eating. But it’s all worth it),” she said.
Knowing one’s priorities is therefore the key to manage time effectively.
Jhoanna said, “Siguro ang advice ko lang, (Maybe my advice is) know your priorities. Prioritize them based on their importance. Halimbawa (For example) today, ano ba ’yung mas importante or saan ka mas kailangan (what’s more important or where are you most needed). May masa-sacrifice talaga. Manage your time. Organize your schedule.”
With their bubbly, carefree and quirky image, the ‘nation’s girl group’ continues to reach new heights as their hit single “Pantropiko” has spawned countless dance videos on TikTok. It has also earned more than six million streams and peaked at #3 on Spotify Philippines Viral Chart, while debuting at #38 on Spotify Global Viral Chart. Additionally, BINI members are on the cover of Spotify’s Viral Hit Philippines that features the most viral tracks in the country.
The “Pantropiko” fever has also reached global stars such as Irene of Red Velvet and Ryujin of ITZY, who both did the dance challenge through a fan’s request in a fan call.
Grateful and hopeful for the song’s success, Jhoanna said: “Ni-release namin siya sa month ng November and ’yung ‘Pantropiko’ pang-summer siya. But we feel like ang perfect no’ng timing kasi nagto-top siya sa charts while papasok ’yung summer, so hopefully magtuloy-tuloy ito (We released it in November and ‘Pantropiko’ is a summer song. It’s the topping the charts as the summer season begins. Hopefully this will continue).”
DonBelle gets Walk of Fame star
Lady Luck smiled broadly for the lead stars of Can’t Buy Me Love Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano as they got a star each in the Eastwood City Walk of Fame.
Mariano excitedly posted a few photos on Instagram about her journey to the Walk of Fame induction ceremony.
“Feeling nostalgic after attending yesterday’s Walk of Fame, this reminds me of my childhood, of how I used to dream of having my own star. Thank you for helping me reach one,” Mariano said in her caption.
Of course, this was met by congratulatory messages as one fan said: “Proud of you, Belle. Congratulations, dearest! She’s a superstar!”
“Always cheering for you! Congrats belle,” said another fan.
In the same manner, Pangilinan also posted a photo of his Walk of Fame journey on Instagram with this caption: “Used to dream about things like this… #WalkOfFame.”
“Congrats donny!! incredibly proud of you and Belle.”
“Congrats guys!!!! More coming.”