If there’s one BINI member who can simply charm her way into the spotlight, it’s definitely MaloiRicalde. With her quirky aesthetic and unhinged humor,the 22-year-old Batangueña doesn’t need to do much tocatch anyone’s attention. She’s just that girl. But the group’smain vocalist is so much more than that. She is the kindof performer whose vocal prowess and dance skills aremagnified by her deep love and dedication for performing—she shines best whenever she’s onstage or in front of acamera.

That’s not to say she can only brighten up a room whenshe’s at work. Even off-duty, Maloi is Maloi—her fun-lovingpersonality, chaotic energy, and all—and it hasn’t changedsince Day 1. “Hindi ko kaya if mag-pretend ako to be someone else.Hindi namin kaya,” she declares. She just knows the BINImembers would be the first ones to call each other out ifthey’re not being true to themselves. “Very open kami saisa’t-isa [even when] we have to correct each other kasi roonkami mag-grow,” she continues. “’Yung tough love parangbetter siya kaysa mag-tolerate ng mga wrongdoing.”

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Granted, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows nomatter how cheerful Maloi considers herself. Being calledout is still a tough learning experience—and it’s even morebrutal if you’re an idol and a celebrity in a chronicallyonline society. Recounting the lesson she learned aftergoing through a recent issue, “Opinions are opinions,” shesays. “It’s human nature na may masasabi at masasabisila [pero] hindi ko napigilan umiyak about it. Sa isipko, ginagawa ko ’yung best ko, work ako nang work, peroganito ’yung nasasabi sa akin ng mga tao. Hindi namannakikita sa likod ng camera ’yung process, ’yung hirapko. So I’m coping, I’m moving forward. Iniyak ko na lang nang konti kasi hindi ako p’wedeng sobrang umiyak.Ini-schedule ko.”

And that’s how Blooms know they cantrust Maloi to learn and grow, but still keep her wits and hersense of humor about her. So despite the ups and downs of being in the spotlight,Maloi wouldn’t change a thing.

They say the internet isforever, but she’d choose to keep the lessons forever—nomatter the embarrassing way she learned them at the time. She says, “Wala akong babaguhin. Everything is meant to happen.It made [me] who I am right now. Every mistake or everygood thing, ’yun ’yung kumakatawan sa ako ngayon. So Iwouldn’t [change] a thing.”

Wala akong babaguhin. Everything is meant tohappen. It made [me] who I am right now. Everymistake or every good thing, ’yun ’yung kumakatawansa ako ngayon. So I wouldn’t [change] a thing

BINI Maloi Ricalde Photography by BJ Pascual

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Photographer: BJ Pascual

Metro Head: Christina N. Lopez

Sittings Editors: Geolette Esguerra and Grace Libero-Cruz

Beauty Direction: Kate Paras-Santiago

Styling: Randz Manucom and Carla Buyo

Creative Director: Eugene David

Art Director: Raff Colmenar

Editorial Assistant: Tim Marasigan

Makeup Artists: Theresa Padin, Carell Garcia, Julius Cabanisas, Angelina Tan

Hairstylists: MJ Rone and July Vito

Video Producer: Jose Mari Santiago

Fashion Films by Andrey Dulalia of Tidal Studios (Tidal Studios Team: ER Cruz, Erika Ducusin, Raymond Cabalhin, Chan Sayson, Mhil Dela Paz, Joseph Generalo, Leeward Cabacungan)

Interview Videos by Spotlight Creatives (Dolly Hernandez, Aaron Ongkingko, Justine Alain Capiral, Paul Siloterio, and Emmanuel Oquendo)

Set Design: Aren Dale Santos of AdSet

Interviews by Alex Cruz, Elaine Carag, Nina Laoang, and Moira Macainag

Shoot Assistant: Elise Garaldé

Photographer Assistants: Richard Detita, Ruel Estrellis, Abel Santos, Jilmer Carlos, Sam Orete, Iggy Estacio

Fashion Assistants: Syra Garcia, April Lozada, Teresita Gabat

Makeup Artist Assistants: Edison Matubang, Jen Arciaga, Juliet Villarubia

Press-on Nails: Catrina Buyo, Isabella Ico, and Georgina Palad of ManéLa Press-on Nails

Nail Technicians: Cath Balingasa, Jennifer Pascual, and Russel Gaboco of Triple Luck Brow & Nail Salon

Shot on location at Marquis Events Place

Special thanks to Laurenti M. Dyogi, Joanna Santos, MQ Mallari, Alan Real, Ron Faina, Maan Manauis, James Arellano, and Kram dela Cruz of Star Magic/BINI Management; Jeanger Navarro, Francesca Santiago, and Lira Calimlim of Louis Vuitton Philippines; Ogie Rodriguez; and Pazu

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