In 2024, the eight-member P-Pop girl group BINI experienced an exceptional year.
Their meteoric rise to fame was driven by hit tracks such as "Patropiko," "Karera," and "Cherry On Top," among others.
This success led to sold-out concerts and international appearances, firmly establishing their reputation as the "Nation's Girl Group."
Their pervasive influence has also attracted the attention of major brands, reinforcing their status as ideal role models and goodwill ambassadors.
On October 16, 2024, the members of BINI—Jhoanna, Colet, Aiah, Maloi, Gwen, Mikha, Sheena, and Stacey—were officially launched as the newest members of Club Penshoppe.
They also unveiled their new song "ICON" as part of the "Be Your Own Icon" campaign associated with their endorsement.
In an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and Cosmo.ph, BINI reflected on the past year, noting significant changes in their lives, particularly in their financial situations.
As Jhoanna shared, "Ever since naman yung nag-start kami maging BINI, tumutulong na talaga kami sa family namin.
"Pero this year, parang mas ramdam ko na alam mo yun, nagkakaroon tayo ng investment. May nabibili tayong talagang big girl purchase, ganun."
Additionally, Jhoanna shared that the group has been receiving more attention from fans.
And they are embracing this change with gratitude, as more people are starting to recognize and know them.
Jhoanna said, "Tsaka sa mga paglabas namin, hindi na talaga... Well, hindi naman yung sobrang nagkakagulong, 'Ah!' Di ba?
"Pero may times talaga... May times lang talaga na parang halimbawa, pupunta ka sa isang place, hindi mo talaga may iwasan na pag may isang nagpa-picture, tuluy-tuloy na talaga siya.
"Ayun. Pero syempre, grateful naman kami na kahit papano may may nakakakilala sa'yo kaysa wala, di ba?"
Given all they've experienced since their debut in 2020, what is the most valuable lesson they've learned?
For Aiah, it's being given the chance to concentrate on what she can control and manage her energy wisely.
She expounded, "I think one of the lessons that I learned is there are really some things that you can't control and there are some things that you can control...
"So, you really just have to focus on what you can control, on the energy that you can give and take. So, yun po.
"May mga situations na kahit hindi nakakaya pero wala, it's out of your control. So, move forward na lang and focus on what you can do."
BINI: DISCOVERING THEIR STYLE
If there's one constant among the members of BINI, it's their passion for fashion.
BINI has embarked on quite a journey in discovering their group style, and their stylist Ica Villanueva deserves credit for her guidance and support from the start.
Mikha mentioned, "I think we went through a lot of styling experiments because ate Ica [Villanueva] has been our stylist.
"I think ever since the first year of us being BINI. So parang through her na rin, she was trying to figure out our style.
"Tapos, parang from then on, dun kami nag-experiment what was comfortable for us, what we prefer, what looks best for our body types.
"Kasi, iba-iba naman kami lahat ng body types."
Although they are frequently spotted in matching outfits, each BINI member has a distinct fashion style.
For instance, Maloi is drawn to bright colors and unique pieces, while Mikha prefers wearing black outfits.
Maloi explained, "Siguro ako very experimental ako e. Gusto ko yung... Ako gusto ko yung parang something unique.
"Kaya I really wanna go to ukay-ukay palagi. Kasi nandun yung mga very unconventional na mga style na hindi mo makikita usually.
"So, and also Penshoppe. Parang gusto ko na parang nag-mimix yung parang very unique and basic."
For her part, Mikha told PEP.ph, "Ako siguro I'm a very black girl na black colors.
I love basic. Basic like Penshoppe. But also amazing at the same time... [And] timeless."
However, all members agree that they prefer wearing comfortable clothes, especially on training days.
Gwen said, "My go-to outfit is just very simple, very Penshoppe. Madalas po naka-loose shirt ako and pants. Loose pants din kasi... Cargo pants.
"Kasi for training din po. Madalas yun din yung very comfortable na suotin... Laging pang training. Training-friendly outfits."
BINI: BE YOUR OWN ICON
Despite their diverse styles, the group is thankful to have found a partner in Penshoppe, which caters to each of their unique fashion preferences.
Jhoanna said, "We are super, duper happy kasi growing up ito yung kinalakihan din naming brand.
"Actually, almost lahat ng brands natin parang ever since, yun yung... dun tayo, parang sila din yung nagpalaki, childhood... yun yung naaalala namin.
"And sabi din kanina ni Shee na parang we also love supporting a brand na parang nag-a-align sa BINI, sa branding namin na comfortable yet stylish, di ba?
"And makukuha mo yun both sa Penshoppe."
Drawing from Jhoanna's statement, each member holds a core memory of growing up with the brand.
Sheena, in particular, recalls always feeling like a cool kid when wearing Penshoppe's clothes as a child.
Sheena said, "Kasi syempre kapag high school ka, may PE, ganyan-ganyan. So favorite ko syempre sayaw-sayaw.
"Syempre-syempre gusto ko maangas yung top ko. Ayoko yung sa school, nag-change talaga ako pag wala na yung teacher.
"So lahat yung top, yung binibili ko yung XXL, ganoon na ako. Oversize na ako ng shirts kasi naging uso yun.
"Alam mo yung shirt, tapos naka-tuck in sa high-waist. Sobrang angas ko na nun. So, ayun po yung favorite ko, like talagang sobrang dami kong shirt from Penshoppe."
Some of the members are reminded of their Christmas parties.
Colet recalled, "Pag Christmas party din, pagandahan ng Penshoppe na suot.
Yan yun. Kasi sa amin dati, hindi naman kami nakakabili dati ng Penshoppe.
"Pag naka-Penshoppe ka, 'Ay, dito ka. Famous ka.'"
Aiah reminisced, "Speaking of Christmas din, kasi that time, bigayan kami ng gifts.
"Bigayan kami ng gifts, kami ng kuya ko. Tapos, it was my first time to give him a gift. And that was the first time I got to receive a gift from him.
"And it turns out, same kami na t-shirt na binigay. Uso yun that time, yung statement shirts ng Penshoppe."
Who are their favorite Penshoppe ambassadors?
Aiah admires supermodel Kendall Jenner. As a certified EXO-L, Colet chooses EXO's Chanyeol. Maloi's favorite is Julia Barretto.
Meanwhile, Stacey expressed her love for Lisa.
Stacey fondly recalled an outfit she saw Lisa wearing, which she also purchased and wore during their trainee days with BINI.
"Before naalala ko ng endorser si Lisa ng Penshoppe, bumili talaga ako ng shirt niya.
"Yung white siya na may print na parang mga city lights sa gitna."
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