Much poetry was in motion during the stretch of the three sold-out nights at the Big Dome for the “Nation’s Girl Group.” Amidst the most stentorian of concert-goers, BINI opened the show with a mechanical flower about to bloom – a fitting homage to their adoring fans – and a symbolic embodiment of their stratospheric rise.
The first song in the set showcased their greatest hits is 𝑃𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑘𝑜, which is celebrating its first anniversary this month. When BINI emerged from the flower while singing Pantropiko, it was akin to the moment exactly one year ago when the group broke into the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) scene after undergoing rigorous training that began during the height of the pandemic.
They were consoled by the karmic rewards of their hard work: the Araneta Center awarded them the distinction of being the first P-pop girl group to hold three sold-out concerts; a Brazilian award-giving body recognized them with the International Breakthrough Artist and International Video of the Year awards for Cherry on Top; and a Grand BINIverse Valentine’s Repeat is slated for February 15, 2025.
Their new single, Blink Twice, is also set to hit the airwaves as their second English release.
All these in under one incredible year.
The next four hours were a triumphant blur of reinvention and a slight departure from the tricks and treats of their past sold-out shows: the crowd favorite 𝐿𝑎𝑔𝑖 gets a slowed-down version, while the 𝐷𝑖𝑦𝑎𝑛 𝐾𝑎 𝐿𝑎𝑛𝑔 x 𝐷𝑖 𝐵𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑁𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑔 crossover, featuring a very special participation from Mr. Pure Energy, Gary Valenciano, delighted fans across all demographics. Even Asia’s Songbird, Regine Velasquez, who reportedly always lends her magnificent voice pro bono to support up-and-coming artists in their first major concerts, brought out her unmissable vocal power for Nandito Lang.
In their respective subunits, the girls gave their absolute best: one pair took the stage as DJs before breaking into a terpsichorean Destiny’s Child number; another pair unleashed their throat chakras; a duo channeled their inner King of Pop, moonwalking and toe-tapping to their hearts’ content, and finally, the so-called group’s nonchalance obliterated all inhibitions.
A collision of two beautiful universes occurred for both BINI and Drag Race fans, as drag queens from various seasons of the hit TV series exuded their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, strutting and shantaying alongside the girls. On the third night, the queens crowned each girl—a ceremonial gesture of inclusivity that BINI has championed from the start.
The Grand BINIverse wrapped up exactly how it started. The girls sauntered back to the flower, reflecting on and appreciating the journey, as those who never forget their humble beginnings.
It was as if saying that even though the world can get overwhelmingly noisy, what BINI can rely on to block the cacophony is to go back and listen to its core.
