Star Magic head and ABS-CBN TV production head Lauren Dyogi admitted that he was surprised by the reception of foreign media outlets and audiences to nation’s girl group BINI following their successful debut at Coachella.
In a TikTok video, Direk Lauren recalled how he felt while watching BINI’s first performance during the festival’s opening weekend.
“Yung pakiramdam ko noon, hati ang attention ko. I was worried and anticipating ano pwede mangyari sa live performance. Nagwoworry ako na hindi magawa yung plinano namin. Noong nahila na yung mga damit, noong costume change, ‘yon yung unang sigh of relief for me. Ang next na binabantayan ko yung audio technical problem or baka magkaroon ng aksidente sa stage. Everything can happen during the live performance,” Direk Lauren said.
Beyond the anticipation, Direk Lauren expressed pride in how the group delivered and held their own on stage.
“The girls had a good performance and the audience watched a good performance from BINI. After yung 45 minutes, napagod ako dahil sa tension pero wala pa iyon sa kalahati ng pagod ng girls who did a wonderful performance,” he added. “The girls, I think what worked for them was they enjoyed it.”
He also revealed that the night before their performance, the group and their team had an emotional conversation about the significance of their Coachella debut.
“The previous night (before the performance), nagkaiyakan na kami and they discussed yung significance ng performance na ito, why is it important not only for them but for ABS-CBN, for the Blooms, and for the Philippine nation. They have to be able to internalize that and to realize that they are not there just for themselves, they are there for bigger reasons, they’re representing the company, they’re representing the Blooms, the Philippines, their families, and especially their dreams. They manifested it.”
Talking about representing the Philippines, BINI later made waves among foreign media outlets following their impressive performance and became one of the standout acts from the festival with millions of views online.
Hearing about the recognition, Direk Lauren admitted he did not expect such a strong response from international audiences.
“I'm very proud of the girls and I didn’t expect the media mileage that we got. Di ko mawari kung paano nangyari iyon. I suppose a lot of help from people back home also from the Blooms and also PR and marketing team as they ensure na kahit papaano mapansin tayo among all the hundreds of performances here,” he said.
@direk.lauren (PART 5) BINI's Coachella Journey #bini ā¬ original sound - Direk Lauren
“Constantly seeing congratulatory messages from foreign media, sa lahat ng nagkainteres sa amin being the first Filipino group to perform in Coachella, representing not only in the Philippines but also the Southeast Asian music, napakalaking karangalan po,” he added.
While he is hopeful for a return to the festival on a bigger stage, Direk Lauren noted that performing at the Mojave tent was the perfect fit for BINI’s debut. “I think Mojave was the perfect venue for BINI, for our debut here in Coachella. Anything bigger than Mojave will be very overwhelming and very difficult to manage. We are lucky to be assigned in Mojave at the time of 4:15,” Direk Lauren admitted.
“Noong una wini-wish pa namin sa mas malaki pang stage, sana mas later (na time) pero parang you realize na parang tamang-tama ito and it was the perfect time and perfect stage for us.”
Still, he emphasized that this does not stop them from aiming higher in the future, saying, “It doesn’t stop us from wishing for a bigger stage in the future. I’m not stopping myself or even manifesting na sana makabalik dito sa Coachella on a bigger stage when we are ready. To do the bigger stage, it will come at the right time.”
With a full schedule lined up after Coachella, Direk Lauren said he is already looking ahead to what’s next for the group.
“I'm a forward thinker, after Coachella kahit di ko pa nananamnam, iniisip ko na ano mangyayari and ano pa lang madudulot nito sa kanila. Nakakatuwa and parang nararamdaman ko na this will lead the girls to something big, something meaningful, and more performances globally,” he said.
He also revealed that the team has already received inquiries for potential international collaborations and future performances.
“I will not deny na nakakuha na kami ng inquiries and interests and we were meeting some people here for collaborations and partnerships for performances and stage. Di pa namin masabi kung ano man iyon. But at the right time, mararamdaman din natin yung epekto ng Coachella performance nila and the mileage in media. I think this week we will announce already na we will have another blessing,” he teased.