BINI’s Stacey Opens Up About Finding Empowerment In Femininity
“Never ako nahiya sa aking feminine energy at mga gusto ko,” Stacey tells Billboard Philippines –– as she talks about finding strength in authenticity and staying true to herself as a role model for others, especially to their Blooms.

Photographed by Shaira Luna.
Photographed by Shaira Luna.
For BINI‘s Stacey, embracing one’s femininity has always been a sign of empowerment and self-assurance — which is why she openly accepts the title of the group’s ‘resident kikay’ member.
Whether it’s her love for the color pink, her passion for fashion, or even her years of experience with various pageantry occasions, it’s easily as if Stacey has been living a life akin to Barbie. Yet still, for the 21-year-old P-pop idol, embracing such parts of herself comes as part of her role in BINI, wherein she manages to add such vibrant splashes of pink into the lives of her fellow members, and most importantly, their BLOOMs.
While Stacey isn’t dressed in pink for the group’s Billboard Global No. 1’s cover shoot, the same colorful charisma applies as we exchange our pleasantries, exchanging a joke or two (showcasing her wit) as we reflect on both the group and her personal journey over the last year. “Sa lahat lang, 2024 is BINI’s year. Parang di namin makapaniwala na nangyari lahat ‘yun sa isang taon lang,” she states. “Parang sobrang bilis lang ng pangyayari na hindi rin namin na-expect na parang one year lang siya nangyari. So parang ‘yung mga pinag-uusapan namin, ang bilis talaga kaya nagugulat din kami. Unbelievable siya, kasi tuloy-tuloy lahat eh. “
(“All in all, 2024 is BINI’s year. We couldn’t believe that all of it happened in just one year. It’s as if everything happened so fast that we didn’t expect that it all happened in a year. Everything we talked about and planned happened so fast and we were surprised. It’s unbelievable because it was all one after the other.”)
With how much the group has dominated the Philippine music scene over 2024, it has allowed the group to achieve several milestones that have been on their bucket list since their initial debut in 2020. From two massive (and immediately) sold-out concerts, a smash-hit EP, and several hit songs dominating both local and international airwaves, Stacey mentions how everything still feels surreal to her — with its pacing changing up the course of how she and her fellow members are going through their day to day lives.
“To be honest, parang hindi pa po talaga siyang nagsi-sink in na parang we’re getting there, especially po sa point na binubuhay namin ‘yung mga dreams namin. Pero feeling ko, maayos din na may magandang factor din na hindi agad nagsi-sink in lahat na parang, ‘Uy, sikat tayo!’ Ganon pa rin ‘yun at magandang experience yung nag-start kami from the bottom at scratch talaga kasi talagang pinaghirapan talaga namin ‘yung trabaho namin as BINI. So syempre, alam namin talaga ‘yung value ng hard work namin,” she points out.
(“To be honest, our success hasn’t sunk in as if we were getting there, especially to the point that we’re living out our dreams. But I feel like it’s good that it hasn’t sunk in yet, like, ‘Wow, we’re famous!’
“Kung ano yung meron kami ngayon, whether its the recognition and yung fame na na-receive namin ngayon, pinaghirapan po namin eh. And kung ano po and nakikita ng mga tao sa mga content na ginagawa namin, or sa mga shoots, interviews, at shows –– ayun talaga ang BINI sa totoong buhay,” Stacey continues.
(“Whatever we have now, whether it’s the recognition and the fame we’re receiving now, it’s something that we worked hard for. And whatever they see in the content that we make, or even the shoots, interviews, and shows –– that’s exactly who BINI is in real life.”)

Photographed by Shaira Luna.
Yet amidst all the drastic changes in their career though, the Nueva Vizcaya-born idol still notes how BINI has retained the same degree of authenticity and purpose as who they were back in their days at the Star Hunt Training Academy. “Confident akong sabihin [ito] kasi ganun talaga kami in real life, like yung mga BINI-core na napapanood nila, yun talaga. Ganun talaga kami and happy ako kasi confident kong sabihin na talaga kaming BINI girls are very humble. Hindi talaga kami sanay sa lahat na ‘to, pero willing po kami magsikap para gawin namin yung kailangan at ipakita na todong todo talaga yung effort na ipinapakita ng BINI sa mundo.”
(“I’m confident in saying this because that’s exactly how it is in real life. Like how they see the BINI-core that they watch, that’s how it is. We’re really like that and I’m happy because I can confidently say that we BINI girls are very humble. We’re really not used to this, but we’re willing to work hard so that we can do what’s needed of us, and to show that we give 100% effort to the world.”)
Such efforts have translated seamlessly within their craft, eventually earning the group the prestigious title of the Philippines’ ‘Nation’s Girl Group.’ Still, the hefty nature of such a title is one that warrants immediate attention, while also demanding an immense responsibility to whoever carries the crown –– which Stacey understandably accepts with a wholehearted and determined approach. “Dahil meron kaming name na [yung] ‘Nation’s Girl Group’, kailangan talaga ipractice din namin yan sa loob mismo. Kasi kahit kami lang talaga, pinagsasabihan namin sa isa’t isa kung ano dapat yung kailangan gawin na tama, at maging aware kung ano yung tama at mail.“
(“Because we have the name of the ‘Nation’s Girl Group’, we really have to practice that within ourselves. Because even if its just us, we really tell each other off to keep each other accountable, especially when being aware of what is right and wrong.”)
“Yung responsibility na to, talagang kailangan namin ipatunayan na yung pagiging ‘Nation’s Girl Group’ –– hindi lang yun basta name. Pero responsibility siya na ipapakita namin sa mundo na BINI is aware, informed, and ready kung ano man ang makikita namin sa harapan. Dapat ang work namin ay dapat disiplinado, pero yung pinaka-importante is yung attitude mo po.”
(“With this responsibility, we have to prove we are the ‘Nation’s Girl Group’ –– even more than just by name. But it’s our responsibility to show the world that BINI is aware, informed, and ready for whatever lies ahead of us. Our work has to be disciplined, but what’s most important is our attitude.”)
As model figures within the scene, BINI also carry the weight of serving as role models for several of their fans. If you’ve seen it on social media, a significant amount of the group’s Blooms fanbase carries over to the younger generation, wherein several young girls have openly idolized or stated that members of the group act as their role models in life, alongside a large number of them attributing their inspiration to Stacey herself. Whether its through her radiant beauty, her unapologetic embrace of femininity, or even the inspirational content that comes naturally to little girls around the country, such aspects have established a deep bond between Stacey and her fans –– even if she doesn’t note the gravity of it.
“For me, yung importante kasi diyan ay yung pusong Pinoy ay hindi mawawala sayo. Kahit na baka may magsabi na inspired sa K-pop yung discipline namin [as BINI], hindi talaga tatanggalin yung Pinoy blood,” she proclaims. (“For me, what’s important is that we never lose the heart of a Filipino. Because even if others may say that we’re inspired by K-pop in terms of our discipline as BINI, it can’t remove the Pinoy blood that flows within our veins.”) But aside from finding pride in being Filipino, Stacey also credits her own femininity as a source of empowerment for her and the group. “Never po ako nahiya sa aking feminine energy at mga gusto ko. Kasi hindi yun mawawala sa akin, at ipinagmamalaki ko yun kasi yun talaga po kung sino ako.” she adds –– emphasizing how she values staying true to who she has always been.
(“I’ve never shied away from my own feminine energy and the things that I like. Because those are the things that cannot be taken away from me, and I would rather take pride in such aspects because that’s who I really am.”)

Photographed by Shaira Luna.
Despite having nearly two million followers under her Instagram account alone, Stacey also notes how she has always valued her privacy. “Ako kasi po, very private person po talaga ako. Like, every time I go out, hindi talaga ako masyado nagpo-post sa social media ko, sa IG stories, sa Facebook lahat, Twitter [formerly X], o lahat. Tapos parang hindi talaga ako gustong lumalabas masyado. Kung lumalabas po ako, pag nag-errands lang, ganun,” she notes. “Syempre, iba rin yung buhay namin outside showbiz. So, pag nasa labas kami, gusto lang namin ma-experience yung normal life na parang yung teenage era namin. Parang, kinagkait na yun ng life na pinili namin. So, gusto rin namin normal.”
(“I’m really a private person. Like, every time I go out, I don’t post much on social media, whether it’s on my Instagram stories, on Facebook, everything, Twitter, and the rest. And it’s also because I don’t like going out as much either. If ever I do leave, it’s only when I’m doing errands and the like. Of course, our life outside showbiz is really quite different. So whenever we go out, we want to experience the normal life that brings us back to our teenage era. It’s something that has been denied from the life that we chose. So sometimes we just want to be normal.”)
Even outside of the glamour that her life as part of BINI affords, Stacey notes that she is still a normal girl who enjoys a simple lifestyle. “Outside of BINI, taong bahay lang talaga ako – as in,” she laughs. “Syempre yung church, bahay, school, yung mga pinupuntahan ko lang pa-convening. Minsan, gumagala po kami ng friends or ni Mama ko papuntang beach and everything.”
(“Outside of BINI, I’m just a homebody. Of course, there’s church, home, and school as the places I would go to convene with other people. And sometimes, me and my friends, or me and Mama, would go to the beach and do everything.”)
But these days, the P-pop idol notes how the group’s busy schedule has led to her lying low from such activities. These days, like Jhoanna, she values rest above all. “Mas gusto ko na lang talagang makatulog everytime na may rest day kami. Yung routine ko, simple talaga, kasi ang gagawin ko lang ay matulog, mag-laundry, mag-ayos ng kama, mag-organize, o mag declutter. Pero kung may time pa ako, magbobonding kami ng mama ko, tapos manonood nalang kami ng mga movies, or kahit ano-ano –– katulad ng mga vloggers, mga beauty guru, o lahat na,” she shares.
(“I prefer just sleeping every time wherein we have a rest day. My routine is really simple because all I do is sleep, do my laundry, fix my bed, organize, or declutter. But if I still had time, I would spend it bonding with my mom, and we’d just watch movies or anything –– whether it bloggers, beauty gurus, or just about anything.”)
As I commend her close ties with her mother, Stacey notes that family values encompass a large part of her identity. Throughout her journey with BINI, she notes how her relationship with her mother was the key factor that allowed her to stay grounded amidst all the changes in her life –– while also giving her the confidence to feel secure in her own self-identity. “Important kasi yung family. Especially sa pag staying grounded, especially sa industry na to,” Stacey states. (“Family is important. Especially when staying grounded in an industry such as this.”)
“Pero alam mo po, yung me time talaga, isa rin yun sa pinaka-importante. Kasi may times na gusto ko rin mapag-isa. Like, ayoko muna ng kausap na BINI or anything related to work. Ang ginagawa ko, nag-mute ako ng Viber, ino-off ko talaga yung notifications ko, at nakakatulong siya sa pagiging aware sa sarili mo. Sa mga panahon na yun, minsan yun talaga yung nakakatulong para hindi mo mawawala yung sarili mo sa mga ginagawa mo,” she adds further.
(“But you know, the act of having your own ‘me time’, it’s actually one of the most important things for me. Because there are times when I want to be alone. Like, I wouldn’t want to talk about BINI, or anything related to work. What I would do is that I would mute my Viber, turn off my notifications, and it helps in being more aware of yourself. In times like that, sometimes those are the things that really help you in not losing yourself to what you do.”)
With BINI heading into 2025 with a massive world tour, new projects, and particularly new music on the way, Stacey openly welcomes whatever challenges the busy year promises to bring (jokingly noting, “Kung ano nakikita nyo po sa social media [sa scheduler], hindi pa po yun yung kompleto.”) [“With what you see from our social media schedulers, that isn’t even the complete schedule for us.”] “From “Cherry on Top”, magle-level up ang aming next song na “Blink Twice”, a very mature version of BINI –– na makikita yung very feminine talaga na feeling,” she rejoices. “Excited ako sa mga bagong looks po namin [for 2025], at pinag-uusapan namin na may mga changes na siguro, baka drastic, sa hair at outfits namin. Talagang new era siya ng BINI.”
(“From “Cherry On Top”, we’re leveling up on our next song “Blink Twice”, which is a very mature version of BINI wherein you can really see the feminine feelings. I’m excited for our new looks, and we’ve talked with our team about changes that could be drastic with our hair and our outfits. Its really a new era for BINI.”)

Though the future is still quite far off in the distance, Stacey is confident that BINI and herself will leave a lasting imprint within the Philippine music scene. And while it is something she ponders about often, she remains assured that their impact on audiences all over the world will surely come from their music. “Siguro, yung song namin na “Pantropiko”, Yun yung talagang tatatak na kahit sinong mga tatanungin mo. Sana yung talaga maiwan namin –– kahit yung kanta o yung choreography mismo.”
(“Maybe, our song “Pantropiko.” That’s what will really stick to the people, no matter who you ask. I hope that’s what we leave behind –– whether its the song or the choreography itself.”)
“Sana mapamana namin yun sa mga apo namin o yung next generation ng mga P-pop artists para i-revive nila yung song na yun one day. Kasi baka pwede siyang yung “Da Coconut Nut” ni Mr. Ryan Cayabyab –– na binuhayan namin uli nung pre-debut namin. Yun yung parang may mga revival ng song, at magbubuhay ulit para hindi makakalimutan ng mga tao ang nagawa namin as BINI,” she concludes.
(“I hope we can leave that for our grandkids to inherit, or even the next generation of P-pop artists so that they can revive that song one day. Because it could be like “Da Coconut Nut” of Mr. Ryan Cayabyab –– that we gave life to during our pre-debut. Song revivals such as that could give new life to what we do, so that people wouldn’t forget what we’ve accomplished as BINI.”)
As BINI continues to soar to new heights, Stacey’s journey serves as a vibrant reminder of the power of authenticity and self-assurance in the face of change. Her unapologetic embrace of femininity, coupled with her grounded approach to success, exemplifies the unique essence she brings to both her group and their ever-growing fanbase. Stacey’s story, much like her signature pink flair, adds a burst of color to BINI’s narrative, reflecting the strength and individuality each member brings to their collective identity.
Through her journey, the 21-year-old P-pop idol has proven that staying true to oneself can create a profound impact — not merely for her fans but also for her fellow members and the Philippine music scene at large. Because as Stacey perfectly encapsulates, their efforts are more than just entertainment — for they are a reflection of what it means to embrace one’s identity while inspiring others to do the same.
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)