BINI wants to showcase OPM, Filipino culture with ‘Shagidi’

August 18 ------ From reimagining a beloved childhood game to the wild patterns in its aesthetic, “Shagidi” is BINI’s way of delving deeper into Filipino culture by getting in touch with what is seemingly a mere hobby. “Shagidi,” whose music video is an explosion of color, fun, and quirkiness of the popular children’s game Shagidi.

It usually involves a group of people following the actions of a leader while chanting “shagidi shagidi shapopo,” adding new movements at every turn. This explains why the movements of BINI — composed of Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, and Sheena — are far from synchronized. It is an intentional way of copying one’s movements and mimicking the children’s game. “Para sa’min, very important na may Filipino theme. [Just like in] the case of ‘Cherry On Top,’ we still [do] our best to bring Filipino themes and elements that reflect who we are and kung saan kami nanggaling. With ‘Shagidi,’ we wanted to go deeper para mas ma-highlight ang culture natin,” Jhoanna said during a launch event for the song’s music video.

Jhoanna, as well as her bandmates, is aware that casual fans would find their dance jarring, noting that it’s an intentional move. “It’s very Pinoy from the beat, choreography, to the music video.” “For our local audiences, we hope it sparks pride. For our foreign audiences, we want it to be a gateway that makes them curious about the Philippines,” she continued. “We want them to check out our dances and games online.”

While Mikha hoped that the song and music video “sparks conversations in the international scene,” Stacey wants Filipino audiences to remember the joys of their childhood with the music video. “Gusto ko kapag narinig nila ‘yung song and na-release ang music video, gusto ko ma-feel nila ‘yung nostalgia ng childhood. Sa mga foreign supporters namin, sana mas mag-research pa sila sa culture nating mga Pinoy. Gusto kong makita nila ‘yung beauty ng ‘Shagidi’ na ‘di lang [bilang] laro,” Stacey added.

Touching on the track itself, Maloi said while the lyrics of “Shagidi” are mostly done in English, an OPM song will always be considered as such as long as a Filipino does it. The group’s main vocalist also pointed out that music is nonetheless a form of language that resonates with anyone, regardless of where they came from. “Subjective din kasi [ang music taste ng mga tao]. Kapag may gusto kang song, huwag kang iexpect na magugustuhan siya ng ibang tao. Grateful kami sa Blooms [na nagustuhan nila] kahit iba-iba sila ng taste,” she said. “‘Yung na-build namin na home, meron tayong similarities talaga. D’un ako thankful, nag-unite ang people because of music. Because of music, nagkaroon ng communication. It’s like a language na hindi mata-translate ng kahit ano,” she continued.

Infused with hip-hop, dance pop, and reggae influences, “Shagidi” was written by Anna Achoso–Graham, Courtlin Edwards, Jbach, Marqueze Parker, Tommy Brown, and Angela Ken, the latter of whom was teaching the game to producers in a music camp with Angia Laurel and Maymay Entrata.

Source: inquirer.net