BINI's latest fanmeet doubled as the group's first public celebration of their Coachella 2026 lineup inclusion, making them the first Filipino act to grace the iconic festival's stage.
On September 16, 2025, all eight members of the group—Jhoanna Robles, Aiah Arceta, Colet Vergara, Maloi Ricalde, Gwen Apuli, Stacey Aubrey Sevilleja, Mikha Lim, and Sheena Catacutan—celebrated the milestone with lucky fans at the Akari-organized event at Enderun Tent in Taguig City.
That same day, the group was officially announced as part of Coachella 2026, the annual music festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Coachella Valley of the Colorado Desert in the U.S.
As they were introduced, fanclub Blooms erupted in chants of "BINIChella! BINIChella!"
During the event, Colet was presented with a birthday cake—she had turned 24 on September 14, two days earlier.
In her birthday wish, she said, "Wish ko po, sana maging successful and healthy yung BINI palagi. And thank you, Lord, sa Coachella. Thank you po."
BINI AT COACHELLA 2026
Prior to their fan meet, ABS-CBN reporter MJ Felipe interviewed BINI, where the group shared their excitement about the news.
Stacey said she was the first to confirm their Coachella appearance after spotting it on social media — and that she and Jhoanna were in the same room when she found out they’d been included in the lineup.
She recalled, "Nung una po, kumakain lang ako, e di, kain-kain lang ganyan.
"Nag-check ako ng X, 'tapos may nag-mention sa amin... na, 'Congratulations, BINI! Buti na lang may ticket ako. See you next year!'
"Sabi ko, 'Ah, baka edited na naman yan.' Kasi gawain ko yun before na ini-edit ko, 'BINI nasa lineup ng Coachella.'
"Pero chineck ko kaagad siya sa Coachella, kasi para nang totoo. Kasi naalala ko sila Miss MQ may sinabi sa 'min noon na big festival daw na nandoon kami.
"Di namin in-expect. So, pagka-check ko sa Coachella account sa IG sabi ko, 'Oh, my gosh! May BINI!'
"So yun, nung tinanong namin kila Miss MQ kung totoo, and then sabi nila, 'The secret is finally out. So we're going to Coachella!'"
Colet and Sheena were in another room when they heard Stacey and Jhoanna’s reactions.
When Stacey and Jhoanna told them about the news, Colet and Sheena didn’t believe it at first, thinking it was one of Stacey's usual pranks.
Colet shared, "Kase feeling namin pag si Stacey, laging joke."
Sheena added, "'Tapos doon, grabe na yung sigaw, like umiiyak na sila, saka na kami sumilip 'tapos sabi nila i-check daw namin yung IG.
"Tas official nga. So, doon na rin kami sumigaw. Pero itong dalawa, grabe, umiiyak sila na para bang sila lang yung magko-Coachella."
Maloi told Blooms she’d finally change her hair color—if any of them go to Coachella to watch BINI perform.
Maloi said, "Promise ko yan sa Blooms, kapag may pumuntang Bloom sa Coachella magpapa-brown ako ng hair."
Following the announcement, the members are even more eager to return to the practice room to prepare for one of their biggest stages to date.
Stacey said, "Right now, gusto na namin mag-training already."
Sheena added, "Kaya kailangan talaga mag-allot ng time for, for Coachella para mapakita namin who we are and what we, what we got."
Meanwhile, Jhoanna thanked everyone who celebrated the milestone with them.
She told MJ, "Of course, gusto namin mag-thank you sa lahat ng nakiki-celebrate sa 'min sa online, di ba?
"Thank you for believing in us and for letting us carry the Philippine flag sa mas malaking stage po. Yes, thank you!"
BINI FANMEET HIGHLIGHTS
The evening opened with electric anticipation: fans waved light sticks, held handmade banners, and showed off newly bought Akari x BINI Blooming Fans.
Those Blooms who attended were among the lucky few to get up close.
Entry to the fan meet required a minimum purchase of PHP3,000 in Akari x BINI products at participating stores. And only lucky raffle winners from those purchasers received tickets to the event.
BINI made a grand entrance, kicking off with a high-energy performance of "Salamin, Salamin."
They then took fan questions, with some challenges asking them to sing a favorite BINI track while using the Akari x BINI fan as a mic, and even pretending it was a camera as they struck selfie poses.
BINI also joined a dance challenge with select Blooms members, grooving to trending TikTok songs. Full performances of hits like "Out of My Head" and "Shagidi" had the tent buzzing.
BINI’s fan meet and campaigns were a huge success.
Gerard Tan, Akari Director of Technology, said he’s happy and grateful the girls represent the brand.
He told the press, “We started in March this year.
"We're happy to be working with the best in the Philippines, and we know that BINI embodies what it means to be a true Filipino on both a local and international scale."
He added that working with BINI reflects the brand’s commitment to quality at fair prices and congratulated the group on their Coachella slot.
"We want the best po sa Filipinos, and I think the partnership with BINI is just looking to partner with the best. And to us, right now, it's BINI.
"We're happy, we're proud of them. Congratulations din sa Coachella, and I think that's what makes them the best.
"They get to perform on an international platform."
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