Philippine Pop Culture — Music

BINI: Blooming into the New Voice of Pinoy Music

By: Marthyna Flores, 4P5

For music to be born, it must first come from a dream.

Before aspirations stand a mountainous height to reach success, one's grounded roots of efforts and a ray of hope surround them. In popular music (or pop music), it is not only a dream to express oneself and showcase one's abilities. Like any form of pop culture, pop music involves an ambition to stay relevant and succeed. After all, pop songs cannot be called popular if they cannot compete with the rest of the music industry. But first, what are the features of pop music? What makes pop music popular? It is made up of repetitive lyrics and melody, with its speed ranging from a song one can dance to, to a song that one may just listen to (The Music Studio, 2021). These features are still evident in pop music today.

Before Pinoy pop music groups like BINI, Kaia, Alamat, and SB19, — we were given the Sexbomb Girls as the prime girl group of the Philippines. As observed in typical pop songs, they utilized catchy melodies and one-liners for their songs with lyrics like "Get get aw!," "Laban, laban," and "Bawi, bawi" (Miraña & Simon, 2021). They also incorporated Filipino concepts like Filipino games (i.e., "apir disapir"), to appeal to the masses. Sexbomb Girls set the standard for pop music for girl groups even beyond the country’s borders in Asia. Parading the flag of the Philippines and being the best-selling girl group in Asia for 11 consecutive years, Sexbomb Girls topped other groups in the Asian music scene until the K-pop wave that dominated the industry for years (Peñalosa & Aranal, 2021). Comparing early P-pop and K-pop will allow understanding of the rationale behind the music produced by BINI, "the nation's girl group".

Sexbomb Girls was a pioneer in the modern Philippine pop music industry in Asia — using Filipino elements through their music and lyrics. Their songs popularized and introduced new children's games that paved their way to Filipino households and our childhoods, from singing "Spaghetti pababa," playing clap games like My Pochi One (clarajhelojasper, 2010), and to chanting "Laban, laban o bawi, bawi" in Filipino variety shows (SB GIRLS PH, 2023). Sexbomb Girls had also set the stage for how pop music could be for the many years to come. In fact, Miraña and Simon (2021) believe that their legacy was left on the K-pop industry's shoulders, with K-pop girl groups' songs strikingly resembling Sexbomb Girls' music and incorporating dance steps which they are known for. Perhaps the fresh faces and talent of Koreans after the long domination of Filipino girl groups led us to the global phenomenon of K-pop today.

Yet, despite this, K-pop domination lies in the fact that Koreans also initially borrowed from our own pop music concept, producing the tune of K-pop we know today. This is also imitated by Filipino girl groups now, such as BINI, as they are compared to the K-pop group Twice. BINI thinks of themselves as the P-pop version of Twice, bringing a cutesy, catchy tune like their K-pop counterpart (Barkin, 2021). Even the documented training program undergone by BINI's members, Star Hunt Academy, was edited to take after Korean variety shows. BINI’s pre-debut single in 2020 was a cover of Ryan Cayabyab’s Da Coconut Nut.

Despite the incorporation of these Filipino-centered themes, was it enough to add a taste of Philippine culture through their lyrics to call their music P-pop? Even their early songs, Born to Win and Strings, sound similar to Blackpink's genre — a mix of Electronic Dance Music (EDM) and R&B. The way they were sold to the public and even how they were trained were also all K-pop-inspired. The directors from Star Hunt Academy actually mentioned that they envisioned BINI as an entity that could compete against other popular groups today (ABS-CBN Star Hunt, 2019).

However, they did not receive the same success they have gained today.

This can be due to multiple factors: (1) popularity takes time, or (2) the Filipino audience would choose K-pop over their imitation of K-pop. The music videos of their earlier songs (e.g., Strings and Golden Arrow) also consisted of K-pop-inspired backgrounds and styles. These videos did not seem to give off any cultural odor in their attempt to market BINI to other audiences worldwide. This was a safe choice for the managers of the girl group. Although it was not enough to integrate the Filipino identity similar to what Sexbomb Girls had done.

Instead, the turning point of BINI's success stemmed from their efforts to focus on themes that embody the Filipino character. The ray of hope that shone on the trajectory of BINI’s rising popularity in the Philippine music scene involves their summer and tropical-themed song Pantropiko. It was filmed at a tourist spot in Zambales, with music and instrumentals reminiscent of the Philippine tropics. The musicality of this song resonated with the Philippine culture and concept more effectively, allowing BINI to flourish after years of experimenting with their music. Their songs, such as Lagi, were filmed at famous landmarks in the Philippines as well. It also sounded like the 2010s Pinoy pop music fueling nostalgia. Their newest song, Salamin, Salamin, also has a 2000s Pinoy pop-sounding melody. Moreover, much of their music centers on topics experienced by most Filipinos – love, the hustle culture, and advocacy for the Filipino youth. This allowed the group to share significant human experiences with modern Philippine society and perhaps even the globe.

Philippine culture influenced the music of K-pop. This time, Philippine pop artists might have taken inspiration from K-pop. But now, BINI is surpassing the mountain of obstacles by finding their authentic voice, regaining and representing the Filipino identity with their music. Pop music has come full circle. P-pop has evolved from the ashes of disharmony into finding our lost identity in modern Filipino pop music. It is undeniable that BINI has a range of talents offering a flavor of cultural identity. Indeed, their early discography resonates more with Korean culture. But as they have grown together as a group, their sound changed the notes of original Pinoy pop music while still incorporating their own elements that reflect catchy tunes that reverberate across mainstream media. This in turn has captivated the Filipino audience as their music reflects current cultural values while still harboring some form of marketability towards a global audience and integrating Filipino elements in their songs and personality. After four years together, they have suddenly become more recognized thanks to social media, their newfound voice, and their memorable genuine image. Their group name, BINI, comes from the Filipino word "binibini", which means "a Filipino lady" whom they represented as "charming, fierce, independent, and informed" (Jose, 2024).

So, is BINI really considered an icon of P-pop? It is an unwavering yes when it comes to their newly discovered identity in this new era. Even with K-pop undertones, the circle of culture influencing another is inevitable in the era of globalization. After all, culture evolves. It is only natural that we influence one another’s society.

What matters is that the group continues to embrace and share the authentic modern Filipino theme, concept, and experience with the world. BINI is indeed a group of proud "binibinis" that bring color and visibility to our country. They have, without a doubt, bloomed into the nation's girl group, shining on us a rediscovered voice and image of Pinoy pop music.

SB19 or BINI, BGYO: Talaga bang “P-pop”?

By: Kiana Mari Rosal, 4P5

Ang nakaraang dekada ay tinaguriang “golden era” ng Filipino pop music na mas kilala bilang Pinoy-pop o P-pop. Ilan dito ay ang BINI, SB19, at BGYO — na matunog ngayon sa nasabing larangan. Kamakailan lang ay dinagsa ang BINI, sa kanilang mall show na “Talaarawan (Diary)” sa Market Market, Bonifacio Global City. Tinatalang umabot sa halos walong libo katao ang dumalo. Higit pa diyan, nominado ang boy band group na SB19 noong nakaraang taon sa isang music awards sa Europe at ang kauna-unahang Southeast Asian act na kabilang sa mga nominado sa Billboard Top Social Artist Award. Dinaig din nito ang K-pop superstars na BTS sa nangunguna ng Billboard’s Hot Trending songs sa loob ng pitong linggo.

Ang tanong ng madla, bakit nga ba marami ang nahuhumaling at tumatangkilik sa mga pinoy group sa panahon ngayon? Ito ba ay sariling atin o bunga at impluwensiya lamang ito ng mga kulturang popular na nakapaligid sa atin?

Ang Pinoy pop o P-pop ay nagsimula noong dekada ‘70s na hango sa folk rock movement na inilapat mula Ingles tungong Filipino. Ito ay mga kantang ginamit upang sumalungat sa diktadura ng dating presidenteng Ferdinand Marcos. Isa rito ang kantang Nena ni Heber Bartolome noong 1977 na kwento tungkol sa isang dalagitang naging biktima ng prostitusyon dahil sa pabayang gobyerno. Ang isinulat naman ni Florante De Leon na Digmaan ay nagpapakita ng lakas ng loob na lumaban para sa kalayaan. Ani ni Craig Lockard noong 1998, ang pagsikat ng politicized pop music ay konektado sa ebolusyon ng “Pinoy pop” bilang musical style noong ‘70s. Ang mga kanta ay hindi Ingles, kung hindi Tagalog o slang-filled Tagalog na siya namang nakapukaw ng atensyon sa mga kabataan. Isa sa mga intensyon ng musikang Pinoy ay ang magkaroon ng kulturang popular ang mga Pilipino. Ang terminong Pinoy-pop ay sumikat noong 1978, nang lumabas ang single ni Freddie Aguilar na pinamagatang, ‘Anak.’ Ito ay nakapagbenta ng halos 100,000 na kopya sa buong bansa, dalawang linggo matapos itong mailabas. Bagamat ang kantang ito ay hindi politikal, ang sumunod na kanta na inilabas ni Aguilar noong 1979, “Bayan Ko”, ang naging antem ng pag-aalsa laban kay Marcos, taong 1986. Sa ganitong pagkakataon na ipakita na ang musika ay hindi lamang himig na siyang nagbibigay ng aliw sa mga tao, kung hindi musika rin ang nagbigay daan sa pag-aalsa ng bayan laban sa kamay ng diktaturyang Marcos.

Mula sa adbokasiyang politikal ay umusbong naman ang iba’t ibang girl at boy groups mula dekada 80 at nag-transisyon ng dekada 90 tulad ng Hagibis, Masculados, Viva Hot Babes, at Sexbomb. Sa paglipas ng panahon, nagkaroon din ng mga new gen o bagong henerasyon tulad ng Pop girls at La Diva. Hindi kinalaunan ay umabot na rin dito sa ating bansa ang Korean Wave, o ang kulturang popular na nagmula sa Korea na siyang nagbigay impluwensya sa mga bagong girl at boy groups noong 2010. Ipinanganak ang kauna-unahang idol group sa Pilipinas noong 2018, ang MNL48, na sister group ng isang grupo mula Japan naAKB48 Ito ang naging hudyat ng panibagong era ng P-pop. Sa parehong taon ay ipinakilala rin ang mga boy group na SB19 at BGYO, at girl group na BINI naman taong 2020. Ang mga grupong itoay nagtatanghal sa kombinasyon ng pagkanta at pagsayaw katulad ng mga Korean o K-pop groups. Marami ang kumwestiyon sa estilong ito, kung tunay ba itong “Pinoy” pop, dahil sa impluwensiya ng ibang kultura. Sinasalamin nito ang K-pop ng South Korea tulad ng BINI na nag ensayo sa ilalim ng kanilang dayuhang mga coach. Mayroon ding salungat sa nasabing talakayan, sapagkat naniniwala silang ang talento ay natural – walang mahahasa kung wala ang talento. Sa madaling salita, ang talento ng grupong ito ay purong pinoy na nagkaroon ng oportunidad na makapag-ensayo at mapaunlad ito. Ika nga ng BINI sa panayam nila sa Cosmopolitan, ang tagumpay ng kanilang grupo ay hindi bagay na nangyari lang sa isang araw. Ito ay bunga nang walang tigil na ensayo at maraming sakripisyo.

Sinasalamin ng P-pop ang kakaibang halo ng impluwensiya mula sa silangan at kanluran. Ito ay pinaghalong elemento ng iba’t ibang impluwensiya sa mga karatig na bansa. Ang paggamit ng Filipino sa liriko ng kanta ay isa sa mga nakaangat na aspeto ng P-pop dahil mas naging relatable ito sa masa. Malaki rin ang papel nito sa pamamayagpag ng industriya ng musika sa Pilipinas. Nagkaroon ng puwang at oportunidad ang mga talentadong Pilipino na makipagtulungan kasama ang banyagang mang-aawit. Dahil sa patuloy na paglago ng P-pop, malaki ang posibilidad na maipakita at makilala ang husay at talento ng mga Pilipino, hindi lang sa Timog-Silangang Asya, pati na rin sa buong mundo. Nagkaroon din ng inspirasyon ang bagong henerasyon na magkaroon ng sariling pangalan sa larangan ng musika. Ang BINI, SB19 o maging BGYO ang naging susi upang makapagbukas ng mas marami pang oportunidad para sa mga kabataang may pagmamahal sa musika na ipakita ang talentong Pilipino sa entablado.

Sariling likha man o hango at impluwensiya ng J-pop at K-pop, hindi mapagkakailang bahagi na ito ng ating kultura at nakaukit na ito sa pagkakakilanlan ng kulturang Pilipino. Nagkaroon man ng bagong henerasyon na hango sa K-pop, ito ay bunga lamang ng patuloy na paglago ng kung ano ang maka-masa. Ang mahalaga ay muling nagkaroon ng buhay ang industriya ng OPM (Original Pinoy Music) sa pamamagitan ng P-pop music.

Filipino sa musika, liriko at talento; yakapin natin ito at tangkilikin dahil ito ay atin.

References (BINI: Blooming into the New Voice of Pinoy Music):
ABS-CBN Star Hunt. (2019, August 1). Star Hunt Academy trainees, sumailalim sa boot camp | EP. 01 | Star Hunt Academy [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW4RnFQ_DZY

Barkin H.I. (2021, August 10). P-Pop’s BINI: Not just eye candy. Positively Filipino. https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/p-pops-bini-not-just-eye-candy

clarajhelojasper. (2010, January 13). Clara’s My Potchie One [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvGRI0XgRNw

Jose, N. (2024, February 23). BINI: The binibinis of P-Pop in full bloom. Pep.ph. https://www.pep.ph/peptionary/179013/bini-members-a5157-20240223

Miraña, J.R. & Simon, L. (2021, December 2). Get get aw!: The Sexbomb Girls and their explosive influence. Vantage: The GUIDON. https://vantage.theguidon.com/get-get-aw-the-sexbomb-girls-and-their-explosive-influence/

Peñalosa, G. & Aranal, L. (2021, May 13). The impact of SexBomb Girls long before the rise of K-Pop. Inquirer.Net - Pop!. https://pop.inquirer.net/109632/the-impact-of-sexbomb-girls-long-before-the-rise-of-k-pop

SB GIRLS PH. (2022, November 28). SexBomb Girls - Eat Bulaga Laban o Bawi (2022) [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi0a7KeQJa4

The Music Studio. (2021, April 7). Characteristics of Music: Pop. https://www.themusicstudio.ca/characteristics-of-music-pop/

Reference (SB19 or BINI, BGYO: Talaga bang “P-pop”?):

Angan, K., & Angan, K. (2024, April 15). 8,000+ Fans Show Up For BINI Market Market Show. Billboard Philippines - Music Charts, News, Photos & Video.
https://billboardphilippines.com/music/news/bini-mania-over-8000-fans-crowd-market-market-for-binis-talaarawan-mall-show-2024/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR36bTsevq6Zn-UgSH37b52JBtgnlnU-id8TkpF9jYRIH8zSjdZekxa2YYs_aem_AWdPdFJKK_NeZi1rZOX8f51luDg_CH-5lzdwGgTs_ika-indCc301-RpFCY2GL61ZraOKPJQdgjoaJRfyons2pyX

COSMO PH. (n.d.). Fun And Fearless: BINI Blooms As The P-Pop Powerhouse We All Need.
https://www.cosmo.ph/amp/entertainment/bini-p-pop-girl-group-a5322-20240307-lfrm2

Esteban, N. [@porknielaga]. (2024, April 13). No Title [Video]. TikTok
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSFvbwTC4/

FasterCapital. (n.d.). P pop Goes Global: The International Appeal of Filipino Pop Music - FasterCapital.
https://fastercapital.com/content/Ppop-Goes-Global--The-International-Appeal-of-Filipino-Pop-Music.html

Newbould, C. (2022, October 24). A brief history of P-pop, from anti-Marcos messages to the mainstream and back. The National.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/music/2022/10/24/a-brief-history-of-p-pop-from-anti-marcos-messages-to-the-mainstream-and-back/