November 3 ------ Even we couldn’t hide our excitement. After all, it’s the stuff that every Bloom or ACEs member’s dreams are made of: Meeting not just one, but two Pinoy idol groups—each as talented and accessible as the next—for this rare double feature for Inquirer Entertainment. But meeting every single member of BGYO—namely Akira Morishita, JL Toreliza, Mikki Claver Jr., Nate Porcalla and leader Gelo Rivera—and BINI—composed of Aiah Arceta, Colet Vergara, Maloi Ricalde, Gwen Apuli, Stacey Sevilleja, Mikha Lim, Sheena Catacutan and leader Jhoanna Robles—quickly exceeded our expectations when we virtually crossed paths with the ABS-CBN-honed Asian idols recently. Needless to say, they lived up to this new P-pop convert’s expectations!
There’s good reason for the sibling groups’ catchy festive mood. They are celebrating enviable milestones this month. Not only will BGYO and BINI top bill their buzzed-about joint concert “One Dream: The BINI and BGYO Journey” on Nov. 6 and 7 (on ktx.ph and iWantTFC), they’ve likewise been tapped to be MTV Asia’s Spotlight artists for October and November—a feat in itself because it’s the first time the influential music channel has had a double feature.
Beyond Philippine shores
It’s also a chance for the groups to expand their fanbase and introduce the discography of BGYO (“The Light,” “The Baddest,” “He’s Into Her,” “When I’m With You”) and BINI (“Born to Win,” “Da Coconut Nut,” “Golden Arrow”) beyond Philippine shores. Other prominent acts that were given the MTV Asia Spotlight included the well-loved P-pop group SB19 and the K-pop band NCT Dream.
“It feels great to be given this opportunity to work closely with MTV Asia as we try to get our music out there,” Akira said when asked how significant the MTV partnership was for them. While acknowledging that they’ve just been launched this year after more than two years’ worth of tireless and rigorous training, Jhoanna also reiterated that MTV’s “endorsement” is a huge step in the right direction. “We all know that MTV Asia is a big digital music platform,” Jhoanna explained. “And like what Kuya Akira said, we’re very honored and thrilled beyond words for the chance to share our music to more people—in Asia and beyond.”
For our part, we immensely enjoyed the mixed bag of disparate treats and colorful personality traits that inform BGYO and BINI’s appeal. It was fun to see the rapport evident between the groups as they rallied behind one another, helping articulate each member’s thoughts or filling unavoidable dead air with winking moments of playful froth and youthful vibe.
And while they move as precisely as their brisk and slick choreography, their members’ answers are refreshing as all get-out. More than that, they aren’t as frustratingly “manufactured” as the idol groups we’ve interviewed in the past. During the interview, we even heard one of them break into song—a brand-new composition, at that—in the middle of her answer!
Source: inquirer.net