BINI On Raising The Flag Of Filipino Music On The Global Stage As Powerhouse Honorees

At Billboard Philippines Women In Music 2026, BINI were honored with the Powerhouse Award — a milestone that recognizes their hard work, passion, and dedication in the Filipino music industry.

The third Billboard Philippines Women in Music event, which happened on May 24, 2026, celebrated the influential, game-changing Filipina icons and rising artists who have shaped generations in OPM. Adding to the long list of monickers or nicknames that we can attribute to the Nation’s Girl Group, the word “powerhouse” takes shape as a label that understatedly speaks volumes.

Breaking records and piercing through the Filipino pop culture zeitgeist are nothing new for the eight-member P-pop girl group. But if making a mark on the local music scene today is one thing, taking on the global stage poses an even bigger challenge and opportunity.

However, BINI have proven time and time again that they are, in fact, the mitochondria of today’s local music scene. With every challenge and obstacle they faced throughout their journey thus far, they have truly come a long way.

But before they tantalize the global crowd at Coachella 2026, Billboard Philippines sits down with the Nation’s Girl Group to discuss their preparations for their history-making performance, what it means to be a “powerhouse” in the local music scene, and how they hope to inspire young women who look up to them as artists and individuals.

Billboard Philippines: You’re set to make history as the first all-Filipino girl group to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this April. What does this milestone mean to you as artists — and as Filipinas representing Filipino music on a global stage?

Jhoanna: Well, Coachella is a huge dream po sa lahat ng artists natin (for all local artists).  And doing it as an all-Filipino girl group, I think that’s what makes it even more meaningful. We’re not just representing ourselves, but we’re carrying our culture on that stage. So we hope when they see BINI perform, ma-inspire din sila (they become inspired), and they become more curious about OPM or other Filipino artists, and a lot of interesting things in the Philippines.

It’s already been an eventful start to the year with the release of “Unang Kilig” and the surprise single “Honey Honey.” How are you preparing for Coachella compared to your other performances?

Colet: Yes po, sobrang nag-start ‘yung year namin [na] very eventful talaga (Our year started very eventful), and we just released our new single, “Unang Kilig” and “Honey Honey.” And in terms of preparation, how are we preparing for Coachella? Actually, there’s not that big of a difference when it comes to our other performances naman. So we do what we usually do. So ‘yung mga (our) routines namin, usually routines namin pag mag-prepare kami (when we prepare) for a performance.

So meron kaming workout, i-build namin ‘yung stamina namin (we have a workout to build our stamina), and we run our full set a couple of times. And yes, I think right now siguro mas more on mentally kami nagre-ready kasi (we become more ready mentally) before we start our official day one talaga ng Coachella training. Parang nag-huddle muna kami (We huddle first), and we set things straight. You know […] ma-ready kami (we become ready) mentally in general, as a group. 

To add to that, did you feel like any pressure when it comes to, like, you know, parang as you mentally prepare for the performance? And if there is pressure, how did you overcome or try to overcome that? 

Colet: The pressure will always be there. I mean, hindi lang naman sa [not just] Coachella. Sa lahat ng performance namin talagang nape-pressure kami (In all of our performances, we always feel pressured) because we want to do great. We want to give an excellent performance.

Jhoanna: And I feel it’s not just about BINI. Hindi naman namin magagawa lahat ng ‘to (We won’t be able to do all this) without our team. They really play a big part din sa success na meron ‘yung BINI ngayon (in the success that BINI has today). So, without them, hindi namin magagawa ito lahat (we won’t be able to do all this).

Colet: At saka (Also), you’re carrying the pride kasi po of the Filipinos. Well, ‘yung pressure naman, I mean, tine-take namin siya (we take it) as something na inspirational because para maging better kami (so we become better), better versions of ourselves, and as a group as well.

Many people in the Coachella crowd may be discovering P-pop, or even BINI, for the first time. What do you hope international audiences take away from your performance?

Sheena: Well, we hope our international audience, especially sa Coachella, will get the impression of how great and talented Filipino artists are when put on stage. And I hope they see how passionate we are, how artistic, and how we always put our heart [into] our crafts. And sana ma-feel din nila (I hope they feel) how supportive we are of each other. I mean, with us, BINI, […] we don’t only bring our group when we go to global stages. Our goal has always been to bring the whole OPM scene with us. 

How do you plan to stay authentically Filipino while still connecting with a global audience?

Sheena: Well, from the word itself, we will just be our “authentic selves.” We’re not gonna change anything because we believe na ipapakita naman namin kung sino kami. I feel like people will love us. People will understand where we’re coming from. And besides our personalities, also our crafts. Doon din sila magba-base (That’s where they will be based).

I feel like with music, we really try to incorporate our Filipino culture, and at the same time, we try to balance it. Kasi, I mean, as much as we try to go back to our roots, siyempre we also try different genres. Nag-tatry din kami ng mga (We also try to do) English songs so that mas maging malaki ‘yung richness ng music namin (the richness of our music can grow bigger). 

What would it mean for you to see more Filipino artists performing on global stages like Coachella in the future?

Maloi: We all know that in music festivals, it’s a very diverse community where sobrang accepting ng energy and ng community doon. Seeing more Filipino acts perform on a global stage, just like Coachella, means so much to us. Kasi, it just means na we crossed borders. Like, we reached so much. And I also believe that we have a place there. And lahat ng iyon, parang nag-root siya (all of that, it is rooted in) because of the love, because of love for our music. And sobrang talagang daming (there are a lot of) Filipino acts, Filipino pop groups, Filipino solo artists, and Filipino bands that deserve to be heard and seen by the global world. And I hope na magkaroon tayo ng (we get the) chance because we all deserve it.

Jhoanna: Yes, and pag dumating ‘yung time na yan (and when the time comes), I think that’s the perfect time to give back the love and support na binibigay nila sa amin ngayon (that they give us). Kasi, ramdam namin na yung ramdam din namin (Because we feel the excitement the same way they feel) yung excitement nila na mag-Coachella kami (that we’re going to Coachella). So, we want to give back to the industry.

How is this Coachella performance different from everything you’ve done so far, including your previous milestones?

Stacey: Well, I think Coachella feels different from what we’ve done before. Kasi ito, sobrang laki talaga nito (Because this is really big). Global scene, global stage siya talaga ito. And because of that, we want to show our new side on that stage. Yung preparation din namin (Our preparation) has been very intense. Like what Ate Colet said a while ago, we are focusing more on our stamina just to make sure na maintained yung energy namin throughout the performance. And ayun, siguro parang sobrang (I think we are really) hands-on lang din namin sa Coachella.

Very collaborative din kami with our coaches and our team, yung sa sound namin to make sure na talagang ‘yung mailalabas namin (that what we perform) sa stage ay very powerful and special. And at the same time, we’re also very grateful for our previous milestone, kasi it helped us grow and prepare for opportunities like this.

How do you hope your journey inspires other young women in the Philippines who dream of pursuing music or performing globally?

Aiah: It’s always a great thing to dream, no matter how risky something is, no matter how risky that dream is. But if you just keep telling yourself to do it, you just have to do it because that’s the only way to achieve things. And natural naman po talaga na (It is really natural), when you try to reach for your goals, there will always be setbacks, challenges, and problems. Those are the things that allow you to grow as a person, as an artist, as a talent. So don’t be afraid. Just try to [take] risks and reach for your goals.

Jhoanna: Add ko lang din na even us, when we started, performing on a global stage felt so far away, parang imposible (it seemed impossible). But with the right amount of hard work and the right people supporting you, magagawa mo siya (you can do it), anything is possible. So I hope people will see our story and feel encouraged to keep going. 

With that, at this year’s Billboard Philippines Women In Music 2026, you’re honored with the Powerhouse Award. How does it feel to receive this recognition?

Aiah: Siyempre, every time po may award, super grateful kami and blessed. But even if may mga natatanggap kami na (if we receive an) award, [it] doesn’t mean na “That’s it!” and okay na lahat. It’s just probably another blessing to see it as that. And it gives us enough fuel to keep pushing. 

Jhoanna: And of course, thank you, Billboard Philippines, for recognizing our talent and for always giving us a platform na ma-showcase ‘yung talent namin and ‘yung ibang artists din, kahit nagsisimula pa lang sila (to showcase our talent and the other artists as well, even when they’re just starting).

In your own words, what does the term “powerhouse” mean to you?

Gwen: Powerhouse, to me, means dedication, authenticity, passion, and hard work. Someone who moves with purpose and someone who puts their heart into what they do. And maraming na-inspire na tao (someone who inspires a lot of people).

As one of the most popular female acts in the Philippines right now, what do you hope to inspire in the young girls who admire and look up to you?

Jhoanna: I hope na makakuha sila ng (they get) inspiration through our songs. Lagi naman namin sinasabi to (We always say this), but I hope ma-feel nila na ‘yung mga dreams nila (they feel that their dreams) are valid. Anything is possible. Just find the right people na susuportahan ka at samahan mo ng (who will support you and also add) hard work and faith. How big they may seem, magagawa mo siya (you can do it). Just always find inspiration. We also have artists we look up to growing up na naka-help din sa kung nasaan kami ngayon (who have helped us to where we are now). Just believe in yourself. You can do it.