.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
Before the girl group breaks new ground for Filipino artists at the festival, the octet reflects on the historic music moment and favorite new songs.
4/10/2026
BINI ABS-CBN Music
If anyone needed another signal that BINI is about to break out big time, Coachella 2026 is your sign.
Just after releasing new EP Signals and music video for the single “Blush,” the Filipino girl group will see its docuseries hit Netflix just hours before the group performs on Friday (April 10) for the opening day of Coachella. The octet’s 4:15 p.m. PT set at the Mojave stage — in between fellow rising stars Slayyyter and Central Cee — marks a historic first with BINI’s debut marking the official arrival of a Philippines-based pop group’s performance at the influential tastemaker festival.
“We’re very aware that we are the first homegrown Filipino girl group to perform on the Coachella stage,” Maloi, one of BINI’s powerhouse vocalists, tells Billboard over a phone call in the midst of rehearsals. “The pressure will always be there, but we’ll take it on in a positive light for us to push further and to boost ourselves. And we know that there are a lot of people behind us who have our backs.”
Leader Jhoanna adds, “There’s definitely a responsibility — a big responsibility — but we don’t let it get into our heads. We don’t let it turn into pressure, we just see it as our purpose.”
BINI emphasizes that the group sees the opportunity as a way to further spotlight and open doors for more Filipino talent, with Jhoanna adding, “We take every moment and every stage as an opportunity for us to show what we have, what we prepared and what Filipinos got.”
The group also let out a loud cheer when noting how P-pop boy band SB19 will perform at Lollapalooza in Chicago this summer.
“ Everything that we’ve been doing from preparations to the final outcome will start to open doors for more Filipino talent,” singer-rapper Colet says, “because we have a lot!”
Just like the group’s music moves from the effervescent bubblegum pop of “Blink Twice” to heavy rhythmic dance on “Shagidi” and harmony-heavy ballads such as “Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi,” Signals ranges from festival-ready, feel-good tropical-pop tracks while also dipping into vintage beats such as Janet Jackson-inspired New Jack Swing on “Sugar Rush,” while “Step Back” winks to the ’00s pop and hip-hop production sound helmed by the Neptunes. BINI’s watchlist for Coachella is equally diverse, including the likes of Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G, BIGBANG, Major Lazer, Labrinth, Fujii Kaze, Disclosure, Tinashe, PinkPantheress and KATSEYE, with the girls hoping that reports that surprise appearances from The Marias as well as Anyma bringing LISA of BLACKPINK prove true.
With a new record, docuseries premiere, festival debut and fresh music video all within days of each other, the group is hoping both new and longtime fans — affectionately known as BLOOM — can keep up with all the excitement.
“We have been asked if we are overwhelmed,” youngest member Sheena shares. “But it’s more like if other people will be overwhelmed because it’s such a jam-packed day on the 9th and 10th. Right now, we’re doing great. We’ve been here in L.A. for a week, so we’re pumped up. It’s not that cold, it’s not that hot, so I think it’s perfect — perfect for Coachella.”
Following BINI’s announcement as Billboard Philippines‘ Global Force honoree at Billboard‘s Women in Music 2026, read on for members Jhoanna, Maloi, Colet, Sheena, Aiah, Gwen, Stacey and Mikha exclusively break down Signals below.
-
“Blush”
Sheena: Coming from the word “blush,” if you blush when you see a crush, that heart-racing moment when someone you like comes in the room, it just speaks about that. We’re gonna be performing the first-ever live performance of “Blush” on the Coachella stage. So, our baby is debuting on the Coachella stage!
Mikha: The concept of the “Blush” music video is that we took inspiration that we’re going to Coachella, so it’s like we’re bringing the islands to the desert. That’s why the set is very beautiful, it’s very flowery, it’s like we’re blooming because we want to show that, technically, us performing at Coachella is just the beginning. There are many more possibilities and opportunities to experience.
Watch the “Blush” video on YouTube.
-
“Unang Kilig”
Sheena: “Unang Kilig” is a Filipino song and it’s a very playful song. It talks about the first stage of love, which is crush, when you’re not really sure if he is the one, but you just love the feeling of having a crush and it’s something you’ll never forget. It’s like feeling the butterflies in your stomach, that first spark.
Stacey: It was my first-ever acting debut [in the music video], so I was really nervous. I was practicing my lines simultaneously because it was very nerve-racking because I’m not used to it. I thought I was just performing and singing that day, but I was surprised there was an acting moment.
Maloi: Also, to add to that, we worked with such renowned actors in the Philippines [including Ogie Diaz, Vhong Navarro, Richard Gutierrez and Gerald Anderson], so they’re very handsome. So we’re very nervous working with them, but they made us feel like we’re OK to do it and we’re gonna do it.
Aiah: Yes and even directors, non-active actors of the industry [such as Charo Santos-Concio, Cathy Garcia-Sampana and Olivia Lamasan] had cameos, so that added an even more nerve-wracking part.
Watch the “Unang Kilig” on YouTube.
-
“Honey Honey”
Gwen: “Honey Honey” is like an irresistible pop track that presents a smooth pop sound to make it a very fun and vibrant song. It’s all about being stuck on them like “honey, honey,” talking about capturing the rush, falling fast and savoring those moments.
Watch the “Honey Honey” visualizer on YouTube.
-
“Tic Tac Toe”
Sheena: For “Tic Tac Toe,” it’s like “Shagidi” in that it’s also a game. Most people say that love is a game and we believe this is the anthem for it. So, it’s a song that feels like the butterflies that come with that and not knowing someone’s next move — when flirting feels like a contest and everyone’s trying to be the winner.
Watch the “Tic Tac Toe” lyric video on YouTube.
-
“Sugar Rush”
Colet: “Sugar Rush” is a low-key throwback to the pop music of the early ’90s, specifically to New Jack Swing. I think that it’s Sheena most favorite song from the EP. So it’s more dance-y, and if you listen to it, it’ll remind you of like Michael Jackson, Gary Valenciano from the Philippines, everything ’90s hip-hop vibe.
Sheena: Yes! It is my favorite — my No. 1 in our whole discography.
Watch the “Sugar Rush” lyric video on YouTube.
-
“Step Back”
Mikha: This is my favorite the second I heard this song. I would’ve gone insane if we didn’t include this in the EP. This song is an anthem for the strong women out there, the independent women. It’s about knowing what you want, knowing your worth, how you never back down from a fight and always fight for what you want, but at the same time, you don’t break the values you have.
Watch the “Step Back” lyric video on YouTube.
-
Every BINI Members’ Favorite Songs on ‘Signals’
Sheena: “Sugar Rush”
Mikha: “Step Back”
Aiah: “Honey Honey” and “Blush”
Maloi: My favorite is “Blush” — I love “Blush.”
Jhoanna: “Unang Kilig,” “Step Back” and “Honey Honey”
Colet: “Blush” and “Unang Kilig”
Gwen: “Step Back” and “Blush,” because it’s my vibe.
English (US)