BINI’s Colet On Her Mission to Amplify Filipino Music Worldwide

Growing up, BINI’s Colet was already raised to live a life dedicated to music.

Her father, who is both a vocalist and a drummer, inspired her to learn the art of singing at a very young age, encouraging her to join her school’s singing groups to participate in various singing competitions back in her hometown of Tagbilaran, Bohol. 

What first started out as a hobby eventually evolved into a passion, developing her love for music to the point that she recognized that it was her calling in life. Ever since then, Colet has embodied that passion for Filipino music in a variety of ways, whether it comes to the point of proudly representing the scene on the global stage or recognizing what several of its talents have to offer its audience.

As I prepare to sit down with Colet at the Billboard Philippines studio, she’s taking out her earphones following a brief listening session (to “Malumanay” by Tatin DC and “Lulay” by Nowan, as she tells me) following her solo photoshoot for BINI’s Global No. 1’s cover story. Her demeanor is calm, if relaxed, almost as if the music itself is serene enough to get her going for an early morning shoot. 

“Walang masyadong pahinga, pero blessed pa rin naman,” she humorously notes. “Tine-take namin ‘to [opportunities like these] as blessings talaga.”

(“There’s not much rest, but we still feel blesed. We really take opportunities like these as blessings.”)

It’s no secret that BINI’s schedule has been fully booked and busier than ever over the past few months, yet Colet is taking it all in with a sense of contentment and stride. Just a few weeks prior, the group performed their three-day sold-out Grand BINIverse showcase at the Araneta Coliseum, which obviously exacted a physical, mental, and emotional toll on each of their members — given how much they gave it their all. 

“Hindi ko nafe-feel ‘yung sobrang pagod ko. Sobrang nag-enjoy talaga ako, kahit three nights ‘yung concert namin. Parang wala akong na-feel na pagod pag nasa stage na ako talaga. Kasi doon ako pinakamasaya po. Masaya ako sa ginagawa ko lagi,” Colet mentions with a sense of glee. 

(“I don’t feel too tired. I enjoyed myself so much, even if we did a three-night concert. It’s as if I don’t feel any fatigue onstage, because that’s where I’m happiest. I’m always happy to perform.”)

Talking about the production of the massive concert itself, she notes how everything was the result of group‘s involvement with their team, leading to a result that came straight from their dreams. “Talagang pinaglaban po namin talaga na ganun talaga ‘yung peg ng concert namin. Nakita namin ‘yung plano ng mga stage at ‘yung production — lahat talaga. Kaya talagang nilaban po na sana ganun. So buti nalang nagawa namin,” she laughs.

(“We really fought for the concept of the concert. We saw everything from the plans for the stage to the production. We really fought for all of it. So it’s a good thing that we achieved it.”)

Even with BINI’s immense success and numerous career milestones over the past year, being touted as the No. 1 artist in the Philippines is something that comes as a pressure of sorts to Colet. While she mentions that they’re still ultimately grateful for such recognition, she makes sure to note how she hopes that the group will never lose sight of their authentic selves, which she credits as the versions of themselves who’ve stayed the same since ABS-CBN’s Star Hunt Academy.  

“Ayaw namin kumuha ng masyadong pressure sa title ng [No. 1 artist], kasi ayaw namin mawala kami sa sarili namin, na parang hindi na kami authentic. Gusto namin ‘yung pressure sa title na ‘yun para makipagtrabaho ng mas masipag, but at the same time, gusto namin authentic pa rin ang BINI. Hindi namin need mag-lead sa standards ng iba,” Colet proclaims. 

(“We don’t want to be too pressured because we don’t want to detach ourselves from who we really are, that we’re no longer authentic. Instead, we would rather pressure ourselves to work harder, but at the same time, be authentic to who BINI are. We don’t want to set the standards for everyone else.”)

“So kami, gusto lang namin maging aware kami kung ano nangyayari and hindi nawawala kung ano ‘yung BINI talaga from the start (We just want to remain aware of what’s going on and not lose what BINI set out to be from the start).”

Colet’s commitment to BINI’s authenticity not only stems from their demeanor as public figures, but also in their approach to their craft as renowned P-pop idols. She emphasizes how being an artist is something she takes seriously (especially with their “hands-on approach”) rather than merely perfecting her skills as a live performer. “As BINI, hindi kami naglalabas ng performance or music na hindi kami hands-on talaga. So from the start, talagang kami ‘yung pumipili, at may mga listening sessions po kami. So, may mga producers na nagse-send ng music sa team namin. And then, inuupuan po namin yun.

(“As BINI, we don’t release or perform music in which we aren’t hands-on. From the start, we have listening sessions of music sent to us by different producers, and we sit down on them and choose what to perform.”)

She continues, “Kahit gaano po karami ‘yung mga kanta, pinapakinggan po namin lahat. And then, magli-list po kami ng top 8. Tapos, i-vote namin kung anong maganda o kung anong bagay for this album. Kahit ‘yung mga music video [namin], nag-present po kami sa team namin ng Powerpoint na ganito ‘yung gusto naming concepts, color palette, or kahit anong mangyayari sa music video.”

(“We listen to all the songs, no matter how many they are, and we list our top 8 and vote which ones we like the most or suits the album best. Even with our music videos, we show a Powerpoint presentation to our team that includes our chosen concepts, color palette, and everything that happens in them.”)

“Sa tingin ko, ‘yun ‘yung maganda din na exercise [for us in BINI] and then ‘yung collaborative na process, kasi pinapayagan kami ng team namin na magsalita po for our team.”

(“I think it’s the best exercise for us in BINI before we start the process of collaboration, because our team allows us to voice out our input and opinions.”)

With such impressive dedication to their work as artists, it’s no surprise as to how the majority of their discography has found a special place with millions of Filipino listeners. The resounding success of their string of hit singles has righteously earned them the title of ‘the nation’s girl group,’ which serves as a title that comes with both honor and an immense weight to it. 

Yet for Colet, she notes how none of it would be possible without the other OPM artists who have paved the way for BINI to follow in their footsteps. “Mayroong mga nauna naman sa amin talaga po eh. ‘Yung mga icons talaga na nauna na nagpakilala sa mundo ng talent ng mga Pinoy — ‘yung OPM. So kami po, parang sumusunod lang din po kami kung anong ginagawa nung mga ‘yun, and ‘yung mga artists who came before us,” she mentions. 

(“Many OPM artists have come before us — the OPM icons who introduced the world to Pinoy talent. As for us, we’re just following in the footsteps of all the artists who came before us.”)

“Parang sinu-sustain lang namin para mas makilala talaga ‘yung OPM, kasi marami po talaga tayong pwedeng ma-offer — kahit rin sa international scene. So as BINI, ‘yun naman talaga yung isa sa mga goal namin — na talagang hindi lang naman kami basta nalang magpe-perform; gusto namin may mga goal talaga kami. And ‘yung talagang mapakilala na what we have in the Philippines — ‘yung mga talent natin, culture natin. Kasi maganda po talaga ‘yung galing Pilipinas,” Colet continues.

(“We’re just sustaining Filipino music so that OPM becomes more well-known, because we have a lot to offer — even to the international scene. So as BINI, that’s one of our goals — that we’re not just out there to perform. And to show what we have in the Philippines — our talent and culture. Because everything that comes from the Philippines is beautiful.”)

Still, the 23-year-old P-pop idol notes that the Philippine music industry still requires a lot of support from our own local constituents. “Kailangan lang talaga natin ng support from the Philippines muna. Kasi grabe din, kasi tayo mga pinaminay naman natin, grabe tayo mag-support sa ibang mga talents na meron sa ibang bansa. What more kung i-support nila kung anong meron muna tayo?”

(“We really need support from the Philippines first. Because it’s crazy how we can really show support for talents from other countries. So what more if we support what we have in our country first?”)

Yet for her, such a hypothetical question is something that she lives out as a motto of hers on the daily. As an avid supporter to several underrated Filipino musicians (having spotlighted releases from Eliza Maturan, MATÉO, and Over October prior to their mainstream breakthroughs), Colet has become renowned as an OPM Tastemaker by many of their fans and casual listeners alike. Whether it’s through her social media posts or attendance at live concerts or gigs, it’s become evident that Colet intends to utilize her platform to spotlight her fellow Filipino musicians.

“Yung mga recommendations ko, hindi lang dahil gusto kong parang, sige para lang makilala ako as yung tao na nagre-recommend ang songs. Kasi talagang maganda talaga yung mga songs na nare-recommend ko. And makikita mo talaga yung galing ng Pinoy doon. Ang galing natin gumawa ng songs. May mga potential talaga tayong lahat na to go global. So, kung ganun na parang kaya namin –– kaya din ang lahat,” she states. “Tsaka mas maganda po kasi na nakikita mo hindi lang ikaw yung umaangat po. Yung umaangat lahat, sabay-sabay. Talagang may buong community na at yung buong Pilipinas rin.”

(“With my recommendations, it’s not because I want to be known as that person who recommends these songs. Because there is so much beauty to the songs that I’m recommending to my audience. And you can really see the brilliance of the Filipino people there. We [Filipinos] can craft really great songs. We really have the potential to go global. So if we (as BINI) can do it — all of us can do it. It’s also really beautiful to witness if you’re not the only one being lifted up. If all of us can be lifted up together, then we can do the same for our entire community and the entire Philippines as well.”)

Despite her best intentions to utilize her platform for good, Colet still experiences her fair share of hate comments, criticism, and online bashing that come as a result of their level of fame in the present day. Such discourse warrants a reactionary response from time to time, which the young idol finds herself replying to –– even if she regrets it a few moments after posting. 

“Hindi naman po maiiwasan mo talaga yung mga gano’n po eh,” she says of the negative comments. “Dati po, na-apektuhan po talaga, lalo na ako po [sa grupo], na-apektuhan ako sa mga nababasa ko online.

(“You really can’t avoid such things. Before, I really used to be the one most affected by it, especially in the group. I was so affected by what I would read online.”)

Colet stays mindful of how such comments affect her, often utilizing it as a fuel to improve upon their craft as BINI. “Dahil diyan, napipressure ako na lalo parang gagalingan lagi. Pero hindi naman nawawala yun hanggang ngayon. Parang lagi naman kami 100% [sa gawa namin]. Tsaka hindi kami half-baked nagpa-perform. Kahit 1 or 100 ang manood –– same level of performance lang kami lagi.”

(“Because of that, I get pressured into doing my best to improve all the time. And it won’t disappear even until now. It’s like we’re always performing our 100% in our work, and it’s not like we do it half-baked in our performances. Whether it’s just 1 person or a 100 people watching — we have the same level of performance always.”)

She notes how she and her fellow BINI members genuinely value feedback, especially when its constructive criticism. “Nakikinig kami lalo na sa Blooms, sa supporters namin, lalo na sa mga inputs or feedback nila. And then, minsan sinasabi namin sa team namin, ina-apply namin sa next na gagawin namin. Malalaman mo kasi pag genuine talaga na gusto for the better po eh. Kesa sa mga yung mga bash lang ng bash.”

(“We really listen to our Blooms, our supporters, especially with their inputs and feedback. And then, sometimes we tell our team so that we can apply it into our next performance. Sometimes you can tell when the feedback is genuine, and if it was mentioned in the intention for us to improve. Rather than those who choose to bash us just because.”)

“Makakita mo na kung yung intention ay pure or hindi. So, katulad po ngayon na medyo, yun nga po, sobrang dami lang nakatingin sa BINI. Mas pinipili na lang namin yung mga bagay na or mga comments na maganda, or yung alam naming pure yung intention na parang maging mabuti yung performance namin as BINI,” she adds.

(“You can really see if their intentions are pure or not. So, just like now, wherein so many people are looking at BINI. We’re more selective about the things or comments that are good, or the ones wherein we can see the pure intentions wherein we could improve as BINI.”)

However, Colet points out how she and her fellow members also stay grounded thanks to their active efforts to keep tabs on one another –– keeping one another in check amidst their surge in popularity. It’s an effective means of staying humble and true to their early beginnings, especially as they remain close enough to correct one another. 

“Lahat kami, kinokorrect namin ang isa’t isa eh. So, pag may napansin lang kami na parang nagbabago, talagang pinag-uusapan po namin yung mga tao around us po. Talagang, lagi kami nare-remind na  grabe yung blessings na natatanggap mo. Pero huwag kalimutan na parang hindi naman to forever,” she shares.

(“All of us, we make sure to correct one another. So if ever we notice something new about one another, we really talk about it with the people we’re around. We’re always reminded of these blessings we’ve received. But we never forget that this won’t last forever.”)

It’s something that she’s internalized as she looks upon their accomplishments as BINI –– as she makes time to remain grateful to God for all their opportunities as artists. “Kailangan maging thankful ka lang, at hindi mataas yung tingin mo sa self. Minsan kasi binabawi ni Lord ka pag ganun,” Colet jokes.

(“We need to be thankful, and that we wouldn’t think of ourselves so highly. Sometimes, the Lord can get it back from you if ever it comes to that.”)

Aside from their humility, one thing that the Bohol-born idol hopes they can leave behind on the scene is their ability to speak their minds.  “Gusto ko na yung BINI ay maalala na authentic talaga, at hindi kami takot na mag-speak up on what’s on their mind. Parang ayaw namin maging somewhat robot na sa industry. Kasi doon nawawala yung spark mo or yung love mo sa ginagawa mo po.” 

(“I want BINI to be remembered as artists who are authentic, and that we aren’t the type to be afraid to speak on what’s on our mind. We don’t want to become robots in this industry. Because that’s where we’ll lose our spark and the love we have for what we’re working on.”)

“Gusto kong [rin] maiwan yun sa mga susunod sa amin or gustong maging artista na hindi dapat mawala yung kung sino ka habang ginagawa mo yung love mo ang gawin mo. Kasi, yung talent mo magpapakilala sa’yo sa industry, pero yung attitude mo talaga yung magpapatagal sa’yo sa industry,” she concludes.

(“I want to leave that for those who will comes after us, or those who want to become artists also that you shouldn’t lose sight of who you are if you love the work you’re doing. Because your talent is what will get you recognized in this industry, but it’s your attitude that will make you last in this field.”)

Yet for herself –– Colet mentions how she still has several dreams and aspirations that she’d love to accomplish for herself in the future. Upon prodding her to reveal some of them, she mentions how she hopes to release her own YouTube channel dedicated to sharing her love for all sorts of music.

“Gusto ko nga gumawa soon ng page, Colet’s Music Recommendations, sa isang YouTube channel na pinapakilala sila. Sobrang love ko po kasi yung music –– kahit pa anong genre.”

(“I want to open up a page soon, titled Colet’s Music Recommendations, in a YouTube channel that will introduce new music for my fans. I really love music — even if it’s from any genre.”)

“Kaya kung meron po akong downtime, nag sesearch ako ng mga hindi pakilala ng mga artist. Talagang rineresearch ko yung Spotify para makahanap ng bagong music. Kung ano-anong genre, or kung sino-sinong artist. Talagang buhay ko makipaghanap at ipakita kung anong meron na music dito sa bansa,” she adds.

(“That’s why if I have some downtime, I really make an effort to search for artists I don’t know. I really research through Spotify to discover new music — whatever the genre, or whoever the artist. It’s really my life to discover and showcase whatever music we have here in the country.”)

In reflecting on her journey, Colet’s unwavering commitment to her craft and authentic self shines brightly. From her roots in Tagbilaran, Bohol, where she first discovered her passion for music, to becoming a standout member of BINI ––  Colet remains grounded in her love (and belief) for Filipino artistry.

As BINI rise on the global stage, Colet’s focus remains clear: she is not only dedicated to championing Filipino music but also to ensuring that the next generation of artists is supported, uplifted, and heard. For her journey is not just about her personal success –– but about elevating others and staying connected to the music that has inspired her after all these years.

Read BINI’s Global No. 1’s digital cover story here.

Photographed by Shaira Luna. Creative Direction by Alannah Mitra. Art Direction by Nicole Almero. Styling by Quayn Pedroso. Makeup by Angeline Tan (Maloi, Mikha, Gwen, & Stacey). Makeup by Theresa Padin (Colet, Aiah, Sheena, & Jhoanna). Hair by July Vito (Stacey, Aiah, Colet, & Sheena). Hair by Cristine Benoman (Jhoanna, Mikha, Gwen, & Maloi). Photography assistants Emelito Lansangan & Albert Calaguas. Styling assistant Renan Pacson. Produced by Mika Cruz.

Featured artwork by Orley Ypon, Blooming Flowers in Pussian (Alcala, Cagayan Valley)