BINI, KATSEYE’s Sophia’s Coachella appearances honored by DOT

April 20 ------ The historic Coachella debut of BINI and K-pop girl group KATSEYE, led by Filipina Sophia Laforteza, was honored by the Department of Tourism (DOT) for representing the Philippines with pride. The DOT congratulated BINI and Sophia in a Facebook post, saying their performances are a display of the growing popularity of Filipino talent on the global stage.

“As the first Filipino act to perform at Coachella, BINI delivered an electrifying 45-minute, 10-song set that drew global attention, with fans gathering early and proudly waving Philippine flags. Together with Sophia’s appearance, this moment highlights the rising global influence of Filipino music and talent,” it said.

The government agency said BINI and Sophia’s appearance at Coachella brought joy not only to global audiences but also to Filipinos, as they represent their “vibrant spirit, creativity, and identity” at the festival. “Over the past weeks, you have brought pride and excitement to Filipinos around the world. Your performances showcased not just world-class talent, but the vibrant spirit, creativity, and identity of the Filipino people—bringing joy to global audiences in a way that is uniquely ours,” it said.

To end its post, DOT said it looks forward to the next step in the female acts’ careers. “We celebrate this milestone and look forward to your continued success as you inspire future generations and elevate the Philippines on the world stage. Congratulations, BINI and Sophia Laforteza!” it said.

Batangas’ pride Maloi

Meanwhile, the Batangas local government congratulated BINI’s main vocalist, Maloi, in a separate post, noting that her greeting to the global audience with a Batangueño expression showed her carrying her roots. Maloi hails from Lemery, Batangas prior to debuting with the female octet. “You carried us with you, Maloi. BINI Maloi, Ala Eh, buong Batangas proud sa’yo!” the post read.

Source: inquirer.net