Since BINI's historic Coachella 2026 debut (April 11, PHT), every single Bloom has been equal parts hyped and emotional. Because when a milestone this big hits, you can't help but go back to the beginning, reminiscing because we want to remind ourselves of how far our OT8 has come.
Some old videos from the early days of their journey resurfaced, like the one showing them handing out fliers on the street just to get people to notice them as a then-budding girl group.
Another clip that's been stirring up nostalgia lately documents the girls’ reaction upon learning about their group's name. In the said video, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena were seen giddy as they opened their individual packages. The excitement turned to happy tears when they pulled out blue shirts printed with their group identity: BINI (which was derived from the Filipino word 'binibini'). One by one, they introduced themselves with "BINI" at the front of their names for the very first time before Jhoanna, their leader, declared, "And, world, get ready for BINI."
Even then, the whole group and their mentors had already made a pact to go global. Years later, they stood on the Coachella stage in California, proof that manifesting is real (when you also work hard for that dream).
ASAP: Where BINI began to bloom
That dream was never set aside. But while the global stage was always the destination, BINI first had to build their foundation at home. One of the most consistent platforms that handed them that early spotlight was Sunday variety show "ASAP." In many ways, the "ASAP" stage witnessed BINI's evolution — from rookies to the polished, confident performers the world would eventually come to know.
BINI was formed through ABS-CBN's Star Hunt Academy after a rigorous selection and training process from 2018 to 2020. Before their official debut, the eight-member group had already established themselves as young women ready to champion Filipino talent and music. They released a pre-debut single in November 2020, a playful, youthful reimagining of "Da Coconut Nut," originally written by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab.
And that same November, they graced "ASAP" for the first time, in matching pastel outfits, as they performed "Da Coconut Nut" with wide-eyed hunger of neophytes brandishing huge potential—and vibrant, sunshiny visuals to back it up.
On June 11, 2021, BINI made it official, launching as a group through a two-part livestream event and arriving with a debut single called "Born to Win," a feel-good dance-pop number with lyrics built around fighting for your heart’s desire. Two days later, they brought "Born to Win" to the "ASAP" stage.
Their first album set the tone with its unshakeable belief in chasing dreams, with tracks like "Kapit Lang," their second single, delivering a message about holding on and staying strong even when things get hard. But, the "Born to Win" era also made room for the sweeter stuff, such as songs about young love and other slices of life.
They struck our hearts with a “Golden Arrow” showcase on "ASAP." It was the third single from the album, bringing that disco-pop feel, light and upbeat, with a blooming confidence that made it a go-to anthem during the height of the pandemic.
Slowly but surely, BINI found their sound that's equal parts sweet and playful, and fierce and fearless. Part of that identity was also becoming synonymous with refreshing summer jams, with "Pit A Pat" being the first of those. It was a tropical-beat song brimming with attitude and optimism, painted with an empowering theme about pushing through the noise and never losing sight of your path.
It was around this time that the world started paying attention. Global music and pop culture magazine Rolling Stone named BINI as one of the rising international artists under the Spotify RADAR 2022 program, cementing their brand as the Nation's Girl Group.
They also weren't afraid to explore outside their comfort zone. With "Strings" on "ASAP" on October 16, 2022, they flexed their vocals and harmonization as the song leaned into a darker, edgier, rock-flavored sound.
"No Fear" did exactly what its title promised. In another episode, BINI hyped the "ASAP" crowd with this number wrapped in that dainty, effortless charm.
It was also hard not to get swept up in their performance of "Na Na Na," a piece that's coated with bubblegum sound and a catchy sing-along energy. All the messy, wonderful feelings that come with falling in love are there in the song, with Maloi's closing belts and runs making sure we felt every bit of it.
Living up to its name in every sense, BINI's "ASAP" set of "I Feel Good" was pure fun from start to finish—funky and fast-paced, with a smile-inducing bubbly brightness, and a bridge from Mikha, Aiah, and Stacey that hit exactly right.
Before it became a certified cultural moment, "Pantropiko" made its earliest appearance on the "ASAP" stage. This was the song that significantly elevated BINI's career trajectory, much of their breakthrough success can be traced back to how wildly it caught on. But beyond the virality, "Pantropiko" did something more meaningful; it introduced Filipino listeners to a sun-soaked, danceable sound which was a far cry from the ballads they had grown up with. Warm and nostalgic, "Pantropiko" helped BINI reach corners of the country and pockets of the world.
Their "ASAP" live take of "Karera" was a full serving of disco-infused vibe. "Karera" reminded listeners that everyone moves at their own pace, that self-love and mental health come first, and that no timeline dictated by anyone else defines your worth.
From the same EP, Talaarawan, both "Salamin Salamin" and "Ang Huling Cha Cha" made their way to the "ASAP" stage as well. With on-point vocals, the performances proved the girls were leveling up in real time. Where "Salamin Salamin" hugged the giddy, butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling of a brand-new crush, "Ang Huling Cha Cha" explored the territory of situationships.
With a global breakthrough within reach after the "Talaarawan" era, BINI's next album, "BINIverse," leaned more deliberately into English music, signaling a new chapter for the group. "Cherry On Top," which blended bubblegum pop and UK garage, was one of the first signs of where they were headed. Their live version of the said song on "ASAP in California" was pure Y2K-coded—vibrant visuals and infectious beat. Each member brought the song's playful narration in their own style. We mean, who wasn't a little obsessed with how Aiah delivered that C-H-E-R-R-Y part?
You definitely didn't want to blink twice during BINI's "ASAP" showcase of, well, "Blink Twice"—another glossy international release, with the girls delivering every bit of its charm like it was second nature. "BINIverse" also gave us the banger "Out Of My Head."
"Shagidi" on "ASAP" had that warm, Pinoy tropical feels that BINI does so well. After all, the song was inspired by the childhood game shagidi shapopo, which we associate with sunny afternoons.
BINI has always had a way with summer, and "Bikini" was the latest proof, but this time, they turned the heat up a notch. Performed on "ASAP" on March 1, 2026, with a sultrier take compared to the sweet, carefree energy of earlier hits like "Pantropiko," "Bikini" sizzled with mature confidence.
Releasing "Unang Kilig" a month before their Coachella debut felt like a sweet reminder that no matter how far they go, BINI will never forget their roots. Brought to the "ASAP" stage with the heart-eyes fever the song calls for, the Jeremy G-produced bop is all about that gleeful, nerve-wracking rush of young love teetering on the edge of a confession. World domination on the calendar and they still gave us a song about kilig—ahhh that's why we love them.
From "Da Coconut Nut" to "Unang Kilig," each BINI performance on the "ASAP" stage was a different chapter of the same story that was written, from the very beginning, for the whole world to read.
Who else is excited for BINI’s “ASAP” comeback? Tune in to “ASAP” every Sunday at 12 noon on ABS-CBN sa ALLTV2, A2Z, and online via Kapamilya Online Live (KOL) and iWant