BINI once again made history last weekend as they became the first local act to play a sold-out show at the Philippine Arena, the world’s biggest indoor arena, with The Grand BINIverse Repeat. And after all the announcements they made in the show, it’s clear that this year will be about breaking more records for the girls.

I was going to write about the standout moments from the show, but after lurking on social media and sitting with my feelings about their journey so far, I’ve decided to include my wishes for the girls, too.

Great start

The montage of their journey from their arduous training days to the Philippine Arena was as emotional as it was thrilling. The lights and the swelling music were incredible. Seeing the Bloombilya all over the arena look like stars in the night sky. Everything that led to the girls’ first appearance was effective as hell. And when they finally started with the triple kill that were “Salamin, Salamin”, “No Fear”, and “I Feel Good”, I knew it was going to be a great night for both the girls and us fans.

I have to give a special shoutout to that “Salamin, Salamin” dance break, however, because that was immaculate and I’d love to see it more!

Tech difficulties

Let me get this out of the way now. Was it a great show? For sure. Could I have used less reverb and was there too much feedback? Yes and yes. A lot of times, I’d just join the screaming even if I didn’t actually understand what the girls were saying. Also, was it just me, or were the levels of their mics a bit wonky?

I was particularly upset when Colet’s mic stopped working, too. (Not as upset as her, I’m sure, though!) She arguably has the most full-bodied voice in the group so it’s so easy to hear it when her voice is missing. Yeah, I know, Murphy’s law. These things happen on a live show. But I really hope for better tech from here on. Best to cover all bases if we’re going for world domination, after all.

Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi

Although I’ve been hearing about them since 2021, it wasn’t until I chanced upon “Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi” that I began to actually pay attention, so of course, this was one of my favorite parts of the show. But I gotta say, I’d love to hear them sing this stripped of theatrics. It’s such a perfect encore song, and I can’t help but imagine a dark arena, people thinking the concert was over, then them appearing again in more relaxed fits, singing this while sitting down.

The shtick of them appearing in the lower box was good, let’s be clear! But it’s such an emotional song, perfect for them to get a little breather to bask in the crowd’s love without rushing to their designated spots. Maybe in the next stops?

Kinikilig

Yes, it’s fan service. But we’re fans who want to be serviced!

Kilig aside, I’m glad that an underappreciated song from their early days got to have its moment. I’m not even the type of Bloom who ships them with one another, but I enjoyed this all the same. (Especially JhoCey. Lmao.)

I appreciate the girls whenever they draw boundaries online and make it clear that they’re no one’s dating anyone within the group, and I love that they’re able to have fun with it. I wish that in the future, when the girls do find love, Blooms would be compassionate enough to honor those boundaries.

Born to Win and Golden Arrow

I am a “Golden Arrow” stan first and a gay man next! The four-way rap line? Thank you, more please! The ad-libs? Important for queens of all ages, shapes, and sizes!  Meanwhile, “Born To Win” was their official debut song, and that number was too electric to drop. I hope they perform these bangers more because they are such incredible showcases for their vocals.

Tour Dates

BINI also announced the dates and stops of their world tour, and I can’t help but be amazed by and proud of their growth. The amount of the USA stops is particularly impressive. Here’s to hoping this year makes them big enough to have more Asian and European countries on the list next time!

Blink Twice

First Public Live Perf
「BLINK TWICE」 Fancam FULL
『BINIVERSE World Tour PH Kickoff』
02.15.2025

BINI SA PHILIPPINE ARENA#BINIWT2025 #BINIverseWorldTour2025PH #BINIverse #BINI @BINI_ph pic.twitter.com/UQL1hummd7

— 『ＨøＳＨī』 #phantom (@HoshiNoFilm) February 16, 2025

Seeing them perform their newest single, “Blink Twice”, for the first time was a treat, and I think I didn’t really understand the power of this song until that night.

When I first saw the MV of “Blink Twice,” I was too curious and worried about the direction BINI’s headed towards to appreciate it. I found the music to be a little too on the chill side to make a real impression. And like many fans, I worried about what it means for them to have yet another English song.

But jeez, does it stick with you! I clearly underestimated its hook because I’m still going da-doo da-doo in my head. Also that choreography is perfect for a TikTok dance challenge. So okay, fine. I get it now. And I hope (I know) everyone gets it, too.

New EP

BINI’s ‘BINIverse – EP’ has entered the top 200 of Apple Music PH Albums chart ahead of its release.

All of their albums are now simultaneously charting. pic.twitter.com/lNcFaQtcYs

— allchartsPH (@allchartsPH) February 16, 2025

And then they dropped the teaser for their next EP. And with bated breath, I kept waiting for a Filipino song because I already could see the online discourse it would start if there were none. And yep. It’s an all-English EP by the look of it. And sure as day, it did start (or continue) a discourse on X about whether the girls are abandoning their core audience, the Filipinos, by singing in English.

Now, I have to admit I share this worry. And I also admit that their Filipino and Taglish songs reign supreme in my heart. I would very much love it if foreigners ended up singing along to Filipino songs even if they didn’t understand them, the way we Filipinos have always done with KPop.

However, on my way home, I was reminded of a certain legend named Regine Velasquez who, in 1994, released her debut international album with all English tracks called Listen Without Prejudice, an album that ultimately cemented her title of “Asia’s Songbird”. And I would like to think that the girls, like their idol Regine, wouldn’t abandon us. Besides, many OPM acts release albums with all-English tracks all the time! Would this be the first time we Filipinos leveraged our colonized tongues to further ourselves? Is it so wrong if the one act with the most potential to reach international audiences does it just this once?

I do get the worry. It would indeed hurt if BINI suddenly stopped serving us Pinoy bops because of how badly they and their management wanted to make a mark in the global market. But I also think that it’s a little too soon to think they’re abandoning Filipino songs when “Salamin, Salamin” isn’t even a year old.

So, here are my last wishes: I wish for this EP to do its job and propel them to greater heights. I wish for us, their fans in their home base, to watch them soar higher and be there to catch them. I wish for them to raise our flag everywhere while honoring their personal journeys as artists who have agency on whatever art they wish to make. And finally, I wish that whatever art they make will always resonate with their people, with this country, who will forever be proud to call them their very own.

What are your thoughts on BINI’s latest EP and tour? Sound off in the comments!