As we all know, Pinoy pop has not only emerged recently, but it has been around for a very long time. However, it had not just reached the same level of popularity of Korean pop and Western music that many of us are totally fascinated with, especially in the past decade or so.

Thus, it was indeed mind-blowing to witness its sudden rise in recent years, with several artists serving us with proudly original Pinoy music and world-class performances with a touch of Filipino culture and foreign influences. One of them is the “nation’s girl group,” BINI, who’s now among the frontrunners of Pinoy Pop as their songs continue to soar to the top of local and global music charts and their events never fail to get jampacked or sold-out.

As BINI marks their third anniversary this year, let’s reminisce about the beautiful and inspiring journey and career milestones of the well-loved girl group in this Kapamilya Update feature!

True-blue “Blooms,” or what their fervent supporters are fondly called, certainly know that it all started when the eight members auditioned for Star Hunt Academy in 2018. They were among the hundreds of girls screened to be part of the group that ABS-CBN was eyeing to create.

After the auditions, they went on to go through a series of rigorous bootcamps and trainings under the supervision of various Filipino and Korean coaches from 2018 to 2020. Out of hundreds of talented girls, only eight made it to the cut, comprised of Jhoanna Robles, Aiah Arceta, Colet Vergara, Maloi Ricalde, Gwen Apuli, Stacey Sevilleja, Mikha Lim, and Sheena Catacutan. They were initially known collectively as Star Hunt Academy trainees.

As the academy aimed for the trainees to be well-rounded performers, the classes they had taken were not only limited to voice and dance, as they underwent lessons on performance arts, fitness and nutrition, and personality development as well. In addition, their holistic training also includes life coaching, counseling sessions, and workshops about social media.

They were first introduced on the online pre-show of the Big Night of Pinoy Big Brother Otso, in which Sheena and Gwen used to be both part of as teen housemates. It was then succeeded by their first-ever mall show in Taguig and at least two ABS-CBN events in 2019. They also appeared in an event hosted by the National Youth Commission, where they were proclaimed as Youth Ambassadors, and at the Southeast Asian Games thanksgiving celebration held in Manila.

Amidst the raging pandemic in 2020, they brought sunshine and good vibes to everyone through their electro-pop remake of the timeless OPM classic “Da Coconut Nut” composed by Filipino singer-composer and National Artist Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, which served as their pre-debut single. They also signed an exclusive contract with Star Magic and Star Music in December of that year.

It was on June 4, 2021 when they officially released their debut single “Born To Win,” through which they’re able to showcase their grace and fierceness as singers and dancers. It was indeed a fitting song for their launch, as its strong melodic hooks and lyrics completely embody their journey as a group and inspire courage, strength, and determination. It was also the title of their first studio album, which contained 12 tracks.

The following year, BINI released their second album entitled “Feel Good,” which has seven tracks, including their well-loved hits “Lagi,” “I Feel Good,” and “Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi.”

In 2023, they launched not just one but two singles that eventually became iconic hits – “Karera” in September and “Pantropiko” in November. The latter went viral in the online world and instantly became a summer anthem of the Philippines, as it spawned to thousands of dance challenges and used in summer vacation videos across social media platforms.

In March 2024, BINI released its extended play or EP entitled “Talaarawan,” to which their massive single “Salamin, Salamin” belongs. And just early this June, they were proclaimed the first Pinoy artist to lead Spotify’s Daily Top Artists Philippines chart.

June has been a hectic month for them due to the series of activities and projects that they had to take on. By the last week of June, their three-day first-ever solo concert, BINIverse, will be held from June 28 to 30 at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City.

They’re also going to embark on a regional tour to Baguio City, Cebu, and General Santos City in July, as well as to the USA and Canada in the succeeding months.

With the continuous success that they’ve been reaping, BINI has indeed lived up to what they and their name represent – “the idea of a modern Filipina – sweet, fierce, independent, and informed."