From Manila to Madison Square: BINI shines in New York City
BINI joins the 127th Philippine Independence Day parade on Madison Avenue in New York. Photo from BINI_ph/Facebook
NEW YORK — A chorus of cheers echoed through Midtown Manhattan over the weekend as Filipino girl group sensation BINI made their US debut at Madison Square Garden, sending their fans into a frenzy.
Photo from BINI_ph/Facebook
The eight-member group – Aiah, Colet, Gwen, Jhoanna, Maloi, Mikha, Sheena and Stacey – hit the iconic stage as part of their BINIverse World Tour 2025, wrapping up AAPI Heritage Month with a bang.
Their energy? Unstoppable. Their passion? Undeniable.
BINI’s journey began in 2019 under ABS-CBN’s Star Hunt Academy, and in just four years, they’ve gone from hopefuls to headliners, racking up chart-topping hits and international awards along the way.
BINI takes a selfie with their fans, known as “Blooms,” after their Madison Square Garden debut on May 31. Photo from BINI_ph/Facebook.
Their recent feature on the Grammy website as one of the next big girl groups? Just another milestone for the scrapbook.
But don’t let the glitz fool you. “We don’t quite feel that we are up there yet,” Aiah told Inquirer.net USA, keeping things refreshingly real.
“We still have many goals. We just do what we do and not let all the applause get to our heads. After all, we are still the same people as when we started four years ago.”
BINI shines at Madison Square Garden, kicking off the US leg of their BINIverse World Tour 2025. Photo from BINI_ph/Facebook.
The group’s US adventure kicked off in New York after stops in Toronto, London and Dubai. And thanks to that Grammy nod, their global fan base is only growing louder.
If the Madison Square Garden crowd was any indication, BINI fever has officially crossed the Pacific. Fans packed the arena, waving banners and belting out lyrics, while the group delivered hit after hit. The city’s cultural scene had a new highlight – and it was dressed in glitter and girl power.
Photo from BINI_ph/Facebook.
The next day, BINI traded stage lights for parade floats at the 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration, organized by the Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. (PIDCI). Even chilly, overcast weather couldn’t dampen their spirits.
They joined Filipino icons like Martin Nievera and “The Voice” champ Sofronio Vasquez at Madison Square Park, performing during the TFC Hour and charming both longtime fans and new converts.
Concert King Martin Nievera and “The Voice” champion Sofronio Vasquez perform a duet at PIDCI’s Independence Day festival. Photo by Elton Lugay
In an exclusive interview with Inquirer.net USA, the members reflected on their whirlwind rise and what keeps them grounded.
Jhoanna, the group’s 21-year-old leader, summed up their Grammy recognition with humility.
You may like: Grammys spotlights BINI as ‘global superstars’
“It’s unexpected and yet a big blessing for BINI to be recognized by the Grammys. This inspires us to do more for our supporters who believe in us.”
What’s the secret to their global appeal? Colet thinks it’s all about authenticity. “We choose themes that are relevant to us, and maybe that’s why it resonates with so many people,” she said.
BINI takes a selfie with the crowd after their acclaimed performance at the PIDCI stage in Madison Square Park. Photo from BINI_ph/Facebook
Influences? The group is quick to credit their roots. “We used to do covers of Sarah Geronimo’s songs and admire her as a performer,” Maloi said.
“She’s always so kind to us.” Gwen added, “Our families are our biggest influence. They keep us grounded.”
Eight members means eight personalities – and, at times, eight opinions. “We are eight girls with different personalities, so we did have disagreements at first,” Stacey admitted. “But over time, we learned to respect each other’s differences.”
Guesting on Good Day New York, the octet shows no sign of weariness. Photo from BINI_ph/Facebook.
Mikha gave a shoutout to Jhoanna’s leadership: “She has a commanding presence and keeps the team together, despite being the second youngest.”
In a business where trends change faster than TikTok dances, BINI isn’t afraid to mix things up. “We try to experiment and step out of our comfort zones,” Jhoanna said.
And when the spotlight gets too bright? Sheena says self-care is key. “We have off days where we focus on personal routines. Being in a group of eight helps; if someone is having an off day, others help support.”
As for what’s next, Aiah is dreaming big. “We want to see more of the world, more tours, and hopefully bigger stadiums someday. BINI aims to inspire generations, both Filipinos and non-Filipinos, for a long time.”
From Manila to Madison Square Garden, it’s clear: BINI’s story is just getting started – and the world eagerly awaits the next chapter.
