BINI shines with documentary debut, aiming for SB19-level success

BINI, now billed as the Nation’s Girl Group, has premiered the first of a three-part documentary about their journey as a girl group.

The first part, titled Chapter 1: Born to Win, was shown to a live audience on Monday, 11 September, at the Gateway 2 Cineplex, Cinema 11. There were three screening times: 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

ABS-CBN, the film’s main producer, hasn’t explicitly said it, but they aim for BINI to achieve massive popularity akin to SB19, who are now known as the “Kings of P-pop.” SB19’s own documentary, Pagtatag, premiered earlier this month at the same venue and highlighted their world concert tour last year.

BINI is managed directly by ABS-CBN, a media group with outlets in foreign countries, primarily through iWantTFC. ABS-CBN is well-recognized by Filipinos worldwide, which helped make the film Hello, Love, Goodbye the highest-grossing Filipino movie ever — until Rewind surpassed it last year during the nationwide Metro Manila Film Festival.

With ABS-CBN’s backing and its global marketing connections, the eight-member BINI could eventually reach the same massive and wild popularity as SB19 — if that’s truly ABS-CBN’s goal.

SB19, however, seems determined not to be overshadowed by any group, as they remain eager to collaborate rather than compete. The band manages itself through the company they established last year, 1Z Entertainment, and has previously collaborated with BINI. Both groups have positioned themselves as non-competitors.

Still, competition is inevitable. When SB19 was signed as endorsers for McDonald’s, BINI secured a deal with Jollibee.

Meanwhile, Chapter 1: Born to Win was screened last 23 September, at Gateway Cineplex, Cinema 11. Some members of the Filipino girl group BINI arrived for the advance screening of their documentary film, BINI Chapter 1: Born to Win, at a mall in Quezon City earlier this month.

Chapter 1: Born to Win was shown to 888 exclusive members of the BINI website three days before its official premiere on iWantTFC.

The first part of the docuseries, directed by filmmaker Jett Leyco and ABS-CBN journalist Jeff Canoy, tells the origin story of BINI, covering their audition days and early struggles on the path to fame.

Did you know that GMA 7 has also acquired a girl group? There’s significant revenue to be earned from the high demand for girl groups and boy groups.

That group is the all-girl Lapillus. Its members have various nationalities, including a Filipino member, Chanty Videla. The group was formed in South Korea by MLD Entertainment. In addition to Chanty, the other members are Shana, Yue, Bessie, Seowon and Haeun.

We’ll tell you more about Lapillus next time.

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On another note, SB19’s Pablo is back with new solo music. The SB19 frontman delivered two albums for his f ans this month, marking his first two solo releases. Alon, released on 13 September, features eight new songs, while Laon, which dropped on 20 September, includes seven new tracks. Both projects showcase Pablo’s signature creativity in blending genres throughout his music.