BINI’S historic Coachella performance ended with the flashing of a Philippine flag while the members joined hands and bowed to the audience, a moment that highlighted how they were able to represent the country on the global stage.
The female octet — composed of Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha and Sheena — told TV Patrol on its April 20 broadcast that placing the Philippine flag at the end of their performance was their decision, though it still made them emotional.
“Tinanong tayo kung kailan namin gusto lumabas ‘yung Philippine flag tapos sabi namin sa ending after ng BINI na logo, may Philippine flag,” Sheena recalled. “Kaya pala after ng set namin, nag-iiyakan lahat ng tao. Pagtingin namin sa mga videos at pictures, sobrang ganda pala tingnan.”
Maloi said the overwhelming emotions after seeing the Philippine flag onstage are proof of why representation matters.
“Representation really matters talaga na makita ‘yung kapwa Pinoy who made it to the global stage,” she said.
Looking back at their performance, Stacey admitted that the quick outfit change was what made them the most nervous, since it was all about timing and making sure it came off easily.
In Week 1, the outfit change came before the girl group performed “Zero Pressure,” while in Week 2, they took off their denim ensembles during the bridge of “Strings.”
“Sabay-sabay natanggal, sobrang smooth, sobrang galing natin, girls. ‘Yun talaga ‘yung pinakakinakabahan kami ‘yung part na ‘yun, including si Ate Ics habang nagtatahi siya kasi ang crucial part talaga,” Stacey said, referring to their stylist Ica Villanueva.
Colet shared that the outfit change was the idea of their coach, Mickey Perz, as a fun way of introducing themselves to the public. “Noong una kasi, jino-joke namin ‘yun sa practice. Tapos sabi niya, why not gawin natin?”
“Grabe goosebumps talaga. Lahat ng tao nagche-cheer talaga kapag nagpapakilala kami,” she continued. “Ganda ng representation na ‘yun sa buong Pilipinas, na naipakilala kung saan talaga kami galing.”
The group’s leader, Jhoanna, who hinted that they have a lot of new projects coming up, said they also dedicate their Coachella performances to ABS-CBN as it faces another shutdown proposal.
“Please know na itong performance na ito, bukod sa supporters namin at sa Philippines, inaalay namin ‘to sa ABS-CBN family namin. Hopefully, mabawasan kahit konti yung pain ‘yung bigat na nafe-feel nila through our performances,” she said.
The P-pop powerhouse is set to grace the GRAMMY MUSEUM’s Global Spin Live and Billboard’s Women in Music ceremony on April 21 and 29, respectively. (Hannah Mallorca © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
