Photo from Maloi Ricalde's Instagram account. 

MANILA — ‘Do you also want to be an actor?’  

We asked BINI member Maloi this one million dollar question and she answered with a resounding ‘Yes!’ 

“I’ve always wanted to act po, as in! Like 'pag nanonood ako ng mga teleserye or K-drama, I feel like gusto ko rin gawin yun! Parang kaya ko ring gawin yun! I’m really thankful talaga to Maki dahil kinast niya ako sa music video niya (‘Dilaw’).”

In the video, Maloi played a student who comforted a bullied classmate played by Maki.

“Lagi akong OA (over-acting). Which I am, ganun talaga ako everyday. Doon napakita ko 'yung nonchalant side ko, 'yung acting ko na hindi pa naman sobrang galing, pero I really tried my best,” she said.

Aside from performing onstage as one of the members of the superstar group BINI, Maloi said, “I really want to show people the other side of me. The other talent that I have.”

Her acting idols include Alessandra de Rossi, Bela Padilla and JC Santos. But her ultimate idol is the Diamond Star and legend Maricel Soriano.

“Gusto kong masampal ni Miss Maricel. Okay lang, it’s an honor na masampal ni Miss Maricel” said Maloi.  

At 22, Maloi has a long list of things to do and achieve in life. She wants to hone her songwriting skills and wants to dip her hands more on digital arts and painting. In fact, she wants to pursue university studies in  Fine Arts or Multimedia Arts.

“'Yung heart ko nandun. Feeling ko 'pag wala dun 'yung path na tine-take ko, I think I’m not me,” she said,

But that would have to take a backseat for a while. Since BINI’s schedule has been so packed and hectic up to 2025 already, Maloi revealed.  

“It’s all plotted. Plotted na siya pero puwede pa siya madagdagan, or pwede pa siyang mabawasan. Pero as in, hindi mawawala ang BINI. Blooms are very well-fed,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ricalde explained why she’s emotional or in Filipino, we call it ‘mababaw ang luha’.

“Mana ako sa nanay ko. Napaka-soft hearted ko. Siguro kahit simpleng bagay lang, naiiyak ako. Kasi ako lagi ko iniisip, kung ako 'yung nasa posisyon ng isang tao. Kahit na, kunyari nanonood lang ako. Or may pinapakinggan ako na nakakaiyak, naiiyak na agad ako.”

She added, “Sobrang baba ng luha ko”.

Her heart also melts everytime she gets surprise gifts and things from her fans.  

“I feel so loved. Parang hindi ako makapaniwala na nakakatanggap ako ng ganitong love. I feel so, forever grateful. 'Yun talaga ang number one - the attitude of gratitude.”

She added, “'Yun 'yung value talaga na dinadala ko, dapat maging grateful ako sa lahat ng bagay. Kahit maliit na bagay lang yan, kahit keychain lang yan, sobra na kong grateful nyan.”

But in the midst of her group’s popularity, privacy has been elusive for her and other members. There have been incidents in the past that their photos were taken while having dinner with family, for instance.

Ricalde admits that fame has become overwhelming. But privacy and safety has to take the front row.

“I can’t deny na sobrang overwhelming niya po. 'Yun 'yung time talaga na mag-stand ka para sa sarili mo. You have to speak up. You have to think about 'yung sarili mo, 'yung safety, 'yung safety ng mga tao. If you care about yourself, you care about other people," she said.

But she understands where their fans are coming from.

“Kasi para sa ibang tao, it’s now or never. Kung hindi kita makikita ngayon, kailan pa ulit kita makikita? So, naiintindihan ko yun. Kailangan lang po talaga ma-prioritize minsan,” she said.

But we ask her, how does she remain humble?

“Yung attitude of gratitude. Maging grateful ka talaga kahit anong mangyari. Siguro 'yung reminders din ng parents ko 'pag nakikita ko sila, nakikita ko 'yung dati kong sarili. Dito ako nag-start, this is my home.”

She added, “At eto yung Maloi dati. Actually hindi ako si Maloi sa bahay, si Lucky ako. Kaya tuwing tinatawag ako ng parents ko, tinatawag nila akong Lucky. So this is where I started. So 'yun po ang reminder sa akin, everytime”.

She also said, as much as possible she wants to keep in touch with her family, wherever she may be. “Everyday nag-uusap kami ng parents. As much as I want to, gusto ko talagang nagvi-videocall kami. So everyday, I am reminded.”