I often hesitate to use the word iconic. Hyperbole is so common on social media now that we seem to have watered down the weight of superlatives. But BINI’s 3-day sold-out concert, The Grand BINIverse, deserves an exception. It was iconic. The kind of show today’s generation will still remember and refer to many years from now, akin to special guest Regine Velasquez’s R2K 24 years ago. 

It was a feast for the senses, the energy was unmatched, and the production numbers ranged from thrilling to heartfelt. It was everything Blooms wanted and then some – a true celebration of OPM and a most-deserved gift to a group whose talent, charisma, and story of perseverance make them unequivocally qualified to carry the nation’s name.

Talk about a strong start

The moment that huge flower in the middle of the stage lit up with the official lightsticks (aka bloombilya) in the coliseum, I got chills. And when it literally bloomed to reveal the girls in the middle, chanting Pantropiko and spelling their name, I knew it was about to be one hell of a show. It was effective, beautiful, and it was just so apt that they opened with the one song that invited many late bloomers to their already-rich discography. Zero notes.    

Lagi’s acoustic version

The tricky part about performing a song for years is how to make it special for the occasion. A fan favorite and especially popular for YouTube reactors, Lagi’s studio version is a two-year-old track perfect for people in the early stages of love. But the bluesy acoustic arrangement for the concert mashed up with Ang Huling Cha Cha, turned the kilig attack into a tender theme that captures how new love can render us weightless, floating. 

Sub-unit performances

The girls were divided into pairs a showcase their unique strengths and personalities. Aiah and Stacey did a DJ set and sang a Destiny’s Child classic, with Stacey flexing her professionalism on the second day when her turntable started malfunctioning. Maloi and Jhoanna, both vocal powerhouses, did what almost felt like a Battle Round from The Voice.

And I’m just gonna say it: Mikha and Gwen probably triggered the sapphic awakening of hundreds of girls with their number. A personal favorite of mine however was Colet and Sheena’s Michael Jackson number because, aside from the song choice, what do you mean a main vocalist can dance, and a main dancer can sing, like that? 

Karera

I think Blooms already felt like they got their money’s worth with that huge flower in the opening and the elevating platforms around the stage during Lagi. As early as that, the steeper ticket prices already felt justified.

But then came four carts with colorful smoke/confetti guns being driven around the coliseum while the girls were singing Karera? We were nowhere near ready for that gag! Aside from letting them breathe from all the dancing prior, the number gave BINI the perfect opportunity to playfully engage and interact with fans in the lower box. 

Regine Velasquez

I meant it when I said that the impact this show will have on this generation will be similar to Songbird’s R2K. Both pushed the boundaries for the usual OPM concert experience, both headlined by phenomena, and yes, both were extremely gay. So to see the queen walk towards the girls, to see her one by one approach them like a fairy godmother bestowing her gift of wisdom, experience, and music magic to them felt nothing short of symbolic.

A passing of the torch. Here’s one icon who’s represented OPM so well on the world’s stage, recognizing a new generation who’s just begun doing the same. 

Vice Ganda & Drag Queens

BINI has always championed inclusivity. Aside from the moving number dedicated to the deaf community, their number with drag queens and Vice Ganda was another highlight. This was no surprise. Besides, they’d talk about queer rights in their live streams before they got big and even did a surprise performance at a drag bar earlier this year.

Even so, it was so powerful to see the biggest music act of today have queer artists dancing alongside them, to hear Colet say hi to her crush Chie Filomeno in the audience in front of thousands, to have Vice Ganda up there on stage calling them her children.

It’s the kind of stuff that empowers young queer kids to take up space because if they have these strong figures in their corner, then they are well backed up.  

Christmas

Speaking of kids, the whole Christmas segment tug at the heartstrings. To see Jhoanna almost in tears while singing everybody’s favorite ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID theme? The surprise gifts on a sleigh that came out of the center platform?

That they closed the segment with a Christmas arrangement with a Tagalog rap of Cherry on Top was, well, the cherry on top.

Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-vuMnMXBNs

And finally, could there be a song more perfect for an encore than Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi? Dressed in huge yellow and blue gowns, our walo sang the Nica Del Rosario-penned track and, my God, tears flowed. At this point, all of it has sunk in both for fans and the girls.

They powered through rigorous training. Eliminations. Strict diet. A freaking pandemic.

The ABS-CBN shutdown. Years of releasing bops without us taking notice. And now, there they were, the most streamed OPM act of the year, breaking into the international scene, singing to their home audience, asking us all to stay a little while longer because it feels incredible here.

You were incredible, BINI. And yes, we will stay. 

(Oh, and then their dresses flew! And they sang Salamin, Salamin! And they rode carts in the air that were shaped like hands gesturing the iconic “EYYY!” while singing Na Na Na! I had the grandest time!)

The Grand BINIverse may be streamed on iWanTFC. A repeat of the show will take place on February 15, 2025.