In an industry often driven by spectacle and a pressure to conform, BINI have stood tall as a force, redefining what it means to be a woman in music. 

Honored as 2025’s Billboard Philippines’ Women of the Year, the eight-member girl group reflects not just a moment of glory, but also a movement rooted in authenticity, growth, and relentless love — for the craft, for each other, and for all of the people who helped them rise.

“We’re [honestly] just grateful,” says Aiah, her voice tinged with humility. “It just proves how far we’ve come. It’s not super far, but it’s the result of all the effort, the hard work that we’ve put in from last year alone. But it’s like, up until now, we still can’t believe that we’re here in this position right now.”

This award is more than a title — it’s a mirror held up to the journey of eight young women who defied expectations by showing up as their full selves in a world that constantly tells them how to be. “Even if it’s just for a moment,” she adds, “we’re glad people are seeing what we’re trying to do.”

“It felt as if we grew up faster than we were supposed to,” Mikha reflects. “Because we were forced to adjust to a lot of things [getting into this industry], including one another. And we experienced things that not everyone can experience. We’re just a bunch of girls who sometimes are just unapologetic with themselves. And that’s because we want to show people that we’re just being ourselves.”

Given the fast-paced nature of the industry, BINI finds strength in slowing down and focusing on substance. For them, authenticity isn’t a buzzword — it’s a creative philosophy that grounds them.

“In our music, we feel the authenticity, like how we do storytelling, I feel like that’s what resonates with international audiences,” says Jhoanna. “Even if our language is not understood, the way we sing and the lyrics of the songs, that’s what resonates with us.”

BINI has always aimed to represent their culture while still pushing the envelope sonically. From bubblegum pop to more experimental and fierce sounds, the group embraces versatility.

“It also encourages us and tests our flexibility,” Aiah says. “This kind of industry is always changing. You always have to adapt. But as much as possible, we try to slow down the process.”

Stacey agrees. “For example, we don’t want to stick to bubblegum pop music. We want to explore other genres, try something new. With songs like ‘Karera’ or ‘Pantropiko,’ lumalabas yung pagka-fierce namin [the fierce part of us comes out] side of us. I think that’s what will bring us to other places, to other worlds.”

Their music, they say, is not just a reflection of who they are but a projection of who they can become.

“We don’t want to be boxed,” Gwen says softly but firmly. “There are so many sides to us.”

However, behind BINI’s rise to the top is a tightly woven team of creatives, coaches, and a dedicated fanbase known as Blooms. Their success, they all agree, is a collective victory.

“We wouldn’t be able to achieve this without the Blooms’ help. But, of course, our management is also a huge part. They’re the ones who took the risk — the biggest risk,” notes Maloi.

Their influence extends to what most people would often forgo, as aside from the marketing, mapping, and planning of BINI’s music and imagery, the group credits their influence in shaping them to become the women they are today.

“We’ve learned from them that while you can be the most talented person in the room, but when you have an attitude, that’s going to be your downfall,” Aiah reflects. “We’re so grateful to our team, because we were always taught to be humble, to stay grounded. Our coaches always reminded us that there’s always something new to learn every day. Because we’re not perfect people.”

“It’s not just about the eight of us,” says Stacey. “There are so many people working hard behind the scenes.”

Their team, they say, is small but mighty. “It’s a combination of our generation and their observations of how the market is going,” Mikha adds. “It’s amazing how they survived doing all of that. People think that we have a lot of people, but we only have a few.”

Perhaps the most touching example of their community came during their Araneta concert. “Because of that concert, our concert, they were able to reunite all of the cameramen and other people behind the scenes,” Aiah shares with emotion. “They worked together again after a long time, and there’s so much love in that. Even though some of them hadn’t worked in years, they’re back again. And they’re doing that not just for themselves, but also for us — because they believe in BINI.”

bini women in music billboard philippines 2025

Photographed by Kim Santos and Excel Panique.

“They always said to us that even if they’re having a hard time now, because they love us, they won’t leave us,” Mikha echoes. “That’s something that really stuck with me.”

While BINI continues to reach new heights in their career, the girls of the group make it clear that they aren’t content to succeed alone. With everything they’ve accomplished for both themselves and the Filipino music scene, they want their growth to help elevate Filipino music as a whole.

“We always express that we want OPM to rise along with BINI,” Jhoanna emphasizes. “Because I think that’s how music should really be. We also have people behind us to support us. And we wouldn’t have been here if it wasn’t for them.”

“It’s really about building something bigger than ourselves,” says Maloi. “This is about proving that Filipino music can compete globally.”

“I think a lot of Filipino artists have set this standard in their work,” Aiah notes. “We’ve completed inspiring other people to be a part of the rising of Filipino artists. We’re just part of that wave.”

Mikha notes that being awarded the Rising Star award at Billboard Philippines’ inaugural Women in Music event last year marked a turning point. “That was where the boom of who we were as BINI started,” Mikha recalls. “That was the moment we realized we could be seen and heard by the Philippines.”

With the trajectory of earning the Rising Star award to being named Women of the Year, it also brings reflection on what it means to be a woman navigating a hyper-visible and often unforgiving industry.

“We always carry this value of women’s empowerment, youth empowerment,” Maloi says. “Kasi ayaw namin ipakita na mga idols lang kami. Hindi lang rin kami performers. At hindi lang kami babae. We can also do a lot.”

For Colet, it’s about showing the world their full selves. “We want to show to the people, especially our Blooms, that we’re just people. Not just BINI. Not just idols. Tao rin kami (We’re humans, too). Hindi lang siya sa pagiging babae (It’s beyond being a woman).”

“Feel ko kasi na maraming tao, nasanay na sila na dapat ganito raw kami. Di nila ma-accept na may change talaga, at ‘yun talaga ‘yung isa sa pagiging constant sa mga buhay namin. [Because I feel like a lot of people are used to us being like this. They can’t accept the fact that change is the only constant in our lives.]”

“Dapat ma-embrace nila yun. Kasi kahit nag-iba ‘yung music namin, ano ang gagawin namin? ‘Yun ‘yung dapat ma-accept nila, at i-understand kasi hindi kami napapagod sa buhay na ‘to kung nagbabago kami as BINI. Natural kasi ‘yan sa growth ng grupo, eh.”

(They have to embrace change. And if our music changes, what do we do? That’s what they have to accept and understand, because we don’t get tired of being BINI if we keep reinventing ourselves. But it’s a natural process that comes with our growth.)

“There’s a stigma that if you’re an idol, you have to be like this, like that,” Maloi adds. “But we’re trying to break that. Parang we want to humanize everything and break the stigma.”

“You can’t see the beauty of a person without mistakes,” Colet adds thoughtfully. “Every mistake, every failure — that’s where you can appreciate beauty.”

Gwen reflects simply: “Even if paulit-ulit na sinasabi (it’s being said again and again), it’s hard to explain. But at the same time, I’m happy that our hard work in the past few years has been recognized. It’s an honor and a prize.”

Their approach to empowerment is one that is deeply rooted in grace, gratitude, and a desire to pave the way for others, with an underlying selflessness and motivation to leave an impact to the next generation of individuals who look up to them.

“I want people to look up to us and say, ‘I wanna be like that when I grow up,'” Mikha says. “Not just because of our job, not because we’re BINI, but because of our personalities, our dreams. Because we’re human.”

While BINI continues to make waves today (both on the local and global scale), their sights are set firmly on the future — not just their own, but the future of P-pop and Filipino artistry at large.

“We’re still growing, and we’re still learning,” Maloi says. “We’re just embracing it, kasi (because) every step forward is a step for everyone who believes in us.”

As Jhoanna puts it, “Being Women of the Year is not just in our achievements, but also something that we hope to come across in our music. We want people to feel empowered through what we do.”

From their harmonies to their values, it’s evident that BINI is reshaping the sound and soul of the Filipino music industry. Their message is clear: success tastes even sweeter when it’s shared, earned, and true to who you are, which makes them well deserving of their title as Billboard Philippines’ Women of the Year 2025.

And if their journey says anything beyond whatever milestones they’ve achieved or no matter how many hit tracks they’ve put out, it’s this: the future of OPM is fierce, female, and fearlessly BINI.

Photographed by Kim Santos and Excel Panlaque. Art direction by Nicole Almero. Edited by Nicole Almero and Easel Manes. Produced by Mika Cruz.

Styled by Ica Villanueva and assisted by France Torres. Make up by Theresa Padin, Julius Cabanisas, Mark Qua, Angeline Tan, & Denise Ochoa. Hair by Cristine Benoman & July Vito. Outfits from Jot Losa, Debbie Co, & Joseph Palma. Jewelry from Janis Jewelry.