BINI’s Jhoanna Opens Up About Leading P-pop’s Quest For Global Domination

BINI‘s Jhoanna has always been aware of the daunting nature of being a leader.

Despite showing a lot of initiative in several of her extra-curricular activities in school growing up, such experiences are surely a far cry from taking on the responsibility of serving as the leader to the Philippines’ very own ‘nation’s girl group.’ 

Similar to most idol groups worldwide, the tasks associated with such a role would often demand a particular skillset, mindset, and unique discipline that requires one to put the wellbeing of their group above all. Yet for the 20-year-old Laguna native, it served as a challenge that she willingly stepped up to –– even with her status as the second youngest member of BINI. 

As I sit down with Jhoanna, we’re both a bit groggy given the early call time for BINI’s Global No. 1s shoot. Though regardless of her lack of sleep or early-morning caffeine boost, she still manages to carry an impressive amount of poise and professionalism to her demeanor –– with each of her responses carrying a distinct cadence that easily commands my attention from the get-go.

“[Being here,] syempre (obviously) we feel honored to be representing the Philippines on the global stage –– especially for a campaign na ganito. Diba? (such as this. Right?) And ito naman talaga yung dream namin (this has really been our dream) to begin with,” she tells me. 

Establishing a notable global presence isn’t merely a win for BINI or the P-pop genre in Jhoanna’s eyes, given the bright spotlight that it places on the entire OPM scene in the process. To her, it’s an overall win for the country –– considering how much we have to offer the world in terms of our culture, even as it extends beyond music. 

“[Sign siya na] kaya natin lumaki pa sa labas ng bansa eh. [Pero] kailangan talaga natin ng support ng kapwa-Pinoy natin. Kasi yung mga Pinoy, grabe-grabe talaga ang suporta. Like, tingnan mo kung paano kami kay Taylor Swift, diba?,” she says lightheartedly. 

(“It’s a sign that all of us could make it big outside of the Philippines. But we really need the support of our fellow Filipinos. Because with Filipinos, it’s astounding to see how they can support artists. Just look at how we are with Taylor Swift, right?”)

Even as she geeks out a bit regarding the pop juggernaut (unleashing her inner Swiftie), Jhoanna still makes it clear that her focus on BINI never wavers beyond the values of honor and responsibility. Her role as the group’s leader requires a unique mindset that requires her to think of the group’s wellbeing, and how that extends into how they represent the Philippine music scene worldwide. 

“Since maaga kami nagsimula, mga bata pa lang kami [noon], natututo pa lang din kami. And even us, even our management, nag-a-adjust pa rin sa ganitong level ng fame. Kasi hindi naman tayo sanay sa ganitong system eh. Parang nasanay yung industriya sa artista. [Pero] magkaiba talaga ang idol and artista for me,” Jhoanna mentions.

(“Since we started at a young age, when we were still kids, we’re still experiencing that learning process. And even for us, even our management, we’re all adjusting to this level of fame. Because we aren’t exactly used to this type of system. It’s like the industry got accustomed to the celebrity lifestyle. For me, being an idol is still different from being a celebrity.”)

Still, she also notes how being a Philippine idol differs heavily from what fans and audiences would expect from idols in the K-pop industry. Jhoanna mentions how the members of BINI carry themselves in a manner that feels more authentic to their individual personalities –– rather than building up a carefully curated image that distances them from their fans.

“Siguro it’s the authenticity talaga. Sa idol [culture] kasi meron silang sinaset na standard na dapat ganito or ganyan ka. But kung paano kami [BINI] as people, kumbaga we break the norms with yung mga standards na siniset nila. Kasi hindi naman gano’n yung BINI. Sobrang malaya namin in terms of how we present ourselves,” she tells me. 

(“I guess it’s really the authenticity. In idol culture, they set several standards that you have to act a certain way. But with how we are as people, it’s as if we’re breaking the norms with the stands they’ve set. Because it really isn’t BINI. We’re really liberated in terms of how we present ourselves”)

With such a mindset, Jhoanna has led BINI to greater heights in their career –– paving the way for the group to achieve new levels of success and to establish genuine relationships with their fans, the Blooms. While the connection of the group with their Blooms is now closer than ever, bridging the initial gap between the two parties was a challenge that Jhoanna had to overcome given their debut in the midst of a worldwide pandemic.

“Malaking adjustment siya, kasi parang inabot kami ng almost two years na puro camera lang yung kaharap. Tapos ang first public performance po kasi namin nasa ibang bansa pa, nasa Dubai,” says the 20-year-old leader. “Pero with every show na sumunod doon, parang nasanay na rin kami, and mas naramdaman namin na doon kami kumukuha ng energy sa sigaw ng mga tao. Kasi every time narinig namin yun –– mas hype tuloy yung performance namin.”

(“It was such a big adjustment, because we reached a point of only facing the camera for almost two years. Then our first public performance as a group was also in another country, in Dubai. But with every show that followed after, we eventually got accustomed to it and we began to feel energized from the screams of the audience watching. Because everytime we heard it, it was like our performance became even more hyped.”)

Given the surge in BINI’s popularity around the world, the audience to each of their live shows and performances is now comprised of various nationalities –– though Jhoanna never forgets the Filipino Blooms who have been there from the start. “May mga ibang Blooms na nakakakita sa amin noong maliliit palang yung shows namin abroad. So now, pag pumupunta kami na ibang bansa para mag perform, minsan (our management kasi is very generous sa mga Blooms), kung kaya makipag-set ng isang dinner para lang makakita and makikain sa mga Blooms namin abroad.”

(“There are a number of Blooms who we would see ever since we were playing small shows abroad. So now, whenever we go to another country to perform, sometimes [since our management is very generous with the Blooms], they would try and set one dinner wherein we could all meet and eat together with the Blooms abroad.”)

While such instances underscore how much Jhoanna and her fellow members value their relationship with the Blooms, their rapid ascent in the mainstream has led for both fame and its many challenges to creep in their personal lives. Though for Jhoanna, she candidly notes; “Syempre may pressure, pero siguro yung pinakalaban namin yung time.” (“Surely there is pressure, but I guess our biggest enemy would be that of time.”)

Continuing her train of thought, she elaborates how it’s led to a loss of her time with family, and even her time for herself. “Pag gusto mo makapag-unwind, or kahit lumabas lang, parang may mga tao na di mo naman iiwasan eh. Kahit nakatago ka, may makakapansin pa rin.”  (“If you’d want to unwind, or even go out by yourself, sometimes there are people who you just can’t avoid. Even if you’re hiding, some people will still notice.”)

The loss of privacy has imposed a series of limitations for Jhoanna, which often frustrates her as a self-described ‘outdoor girly’ (“Parang ang hirap, hindi ko kinaya,” [It’s kind of hard, sometimes I can’t deal with it] she jokingly mentions.) While she doesn’t mind greeting fans and taking pictures with them in public, what’s most bothersome to her is when people follow her back to her home within the city. 

“Yun yung hindi na okay. Nakakatakot yun kasi nasa bahay na ako, and personal space ko dapat yun. Pero minsan talaga may maririnig akong dumadaan at sumisigaw ng ‘Jhoanna!’,” she recalls.  (“That’s what is not okay to me. It’s scary because it’s in my house, which is supposed to be my personal space. But sometimes, I’ll hear someone passing by and screaming my name.”)

Such instances have led her to embrace a more private persona –– which leads her to avoid posting often about personal things, such as her family, on social media. “Before, sobrang open ako about yung family ko. Pero ngayon, parang nadagawang isip na akong ipopost ko pa rin ba sila anywhere. Kasi parang medyo delikado rin sila. Kasi minsan, isang picture, may mga tao na izo-zoom in nila. Makikita na nila, tapos nalalaman na nila. Tapos mag-iintay na sila sa lugar na yun. Parang hindi siya respectful na, diba?” she points out. 

(“Before, I used to be very open about my family online. But these days, it’s like I have to think twice about posting them anywhere. Because now, it’s also risky for them. Sometimes, it’s like with one picture, there are people who can zoom in on it, and then they’ll see or find out where it was then they would wait. It’s like it’s not respectful anymore, right?”)

Yet amidst all that she and her fellow BINI members have experienced, Jhoanna still maintains a sense of compassion and understanding for such people –– as she hypothetically puts herself in their shoes. “Para sa akin, naiintindihan ko kung bakit may mga taong ganun. Naiintindihan ko na excited naman sila and gusto nila yung music namin. Pero syempre, mahalaga din na ma-respect nila ng boundaries namin. Kasi tao lang kami.”

(“For me, I understand why there are people who act that way around us. I get that they’re excited, and that maybe they really like our music. But of course, it’s important that they respect our boundaries. Because we’re still people.”)

With Jhoanna’s maturity (one that’s well beyond her years) on full display, she now openly accepts the responsibility of leading BINI’s quest for world domination in the years ahead. Though it’s sure to demand a lot from their already busy schedule, the Laguna-born idol tells me that it’s a challenge that she’s willing to take on. 

“Honestly –– okay lang siya. Kahit ako doon sa mga sinasabi ko na goals, medyo nakakatakot,” she jokes. “Parang mas nahihirapan ako pag wala akong ginagawa, kasi hindi ko kaya na may bakanting oras sa isang araw.”

(“Honestly, it’s okay for me. Even with the goals I’ve been saying for the group, it’s a little scary of course. But it’s also like I have a harder time whenever I’m not doing anything, because I can’t handle having vacant hours over the day.”)

“Syempre nandiyan yung pressure, pero hindi kami natatakot sa kung ano man maging result or reactions ng mga tao for our next song. Kasi kailangan namin mag-explore at makahanap pa ng ibang sounds na mas mag-wowork sa amin (as artists), dito sa Philippines, and also internationally.”

(“Of course the pressure is there, but we aren’t scared with whatever is the result or the reactions of people for our next song. Because we really need to explore and find different sounds that work for us (as artists), here in the Philippines, and also internationally.”)

Jhoanna recalls a conversation that she had with SB19’s Pablo during their shoot for their group’s joint podcast for Billboard Philippines’ P-pop Rise campaign, wherein the two leaders talked about their shared thoughts on bringing the genre to new heights worldwide. “Kailangan lang namin mag-explore at maging adaptive. Sabi nga namin ng SB19 na pwede ka naman mag-stick dun sa culture nyo as Filipino. Pero huwag ka matakot mag try sa global trends na makakahelp sa music niyo as artists,” she mentions.

(“We really just need to explore and become adaptive. As we said with SB19, you can stick to your culture as Filipinos. But don’t be afraid to try out the global trends that could help your music as artists.”)

This aforementioned mindset is something that Jhoanna proudly takes hold of with BINI’s future endeavors, including their upcoming comeback single “Blink Twice” and their BINIVerse World Tour. “Nagkaroon na kami ng meeting and mga plans for next year with our management. Excited kami for next year, kasi meron kaming gagawin na hindi nyo in-expect na gagawin namin outside music,” she teases. “So, it’s super exciting not just for our fans –– but even for us.”

(“We’ve had meetings and plans with our management for next year. And we’re excited about it. Because we’re doing something that you wouldn’t expect us to do outside of music.”)

Even with all these milestones that are set to take place in the year ahead, Jhoanna notes that all of this isn’t merely accomplishments or accolades for BINI. Rather, they’re also dedicated and meant to inspire their Blooms. “Every time na nag-release kami ng bagong songs or, makakapanood sila ng mga concerts namin, sana ma-inspire sila to reach for their dreams. Kasi siyempre, tinulungan nila kami maabot yung pangarap natin,” she states.

(“Every time that we release new songs, or whenever they watch our concerts, I hope it inspires them to reach for their dreams. Because obviously, they were the ones who helped us to reach our dreams.”)

“Maraming Blooms na gusto rin maging performer, parang kung paano kami nagsimula noon. So kung kaya namin, kaya din nila.”

(“There are so many Blooms who want to become performers, just as how we were back when we started this journey. So if we could do it, so could they.”)

As Jhoanna looks back on the whirlwind of a year BINI had in 2024, she contemplates what legacy the group will leave behind over the next few years –– and perhaps even the next few decades. While she notes that the term itself is a weighty thing to think about, she fondly remembers a recent conversation that she shared with Ogie Alcasid.

“Kahapon, kasama namin si Sir Ogie sa band rehearsals for his concert. Tapos sabi niya sa amin, ‘alam niyo, yung mga nire-release kong songs nung 20 ako, kinakanta ko pa rin hanggang ngayon at 50 years old. At kinakanta pa rin ang mga tao hanggang ngayon.’ So parang, napaisip rin kami na sana hindi mawala yung music namin sa mga tao, at hindi nila malililmutan yung epekto ng BINI sa buhay nila,” she concludes. 

(“Yesterday, we were with Sir Ogie for his band rehearsals for his concert. Then he told all of us, ‘You know, all the songs I released when I was 20, these are the same songs that I’m still singing at 50 years old. And even the people are singing these songs to this day.’ So it led us to think that hopefully, our music won’t get lost with our audience. And hopefully, they won’t forget the effect that BINI had on their lives.”)

Given all the achievements BINI has experienced over the past year, it’s clear that Jhoanna’s role as a leader extends far beyond her position within the group. While guiding BINI through their meteoric rise to international fame, she carries the weight of representing not just her members, but an entire movement —– the rise of P-pop on the global stage.

For her, being a leader is not just about managing a group—it’s about setting the stage for future generations of Filipino artists to follow. It’s about fostering a culture where Filipino music isn’t just heard globally, but deeply felt. 

And with every step BINI takes toward global recognition, Jhoanna is proud to not only lead her group but to lead the charge for P-pop’s place in the world. And as BINI’s music continues to inspire and unite fans worldwide, Jhoanna’s legacy will not only be defined by the heights BINI reaches –– but by the doors she’s helping to open for Filipino artists everywhere.

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