The involvement of BINI members Jhoanna, Colet and Stacey in an “offensive video” that has gone viral may, or may not, affect the result of their concert in Dubai slated on 18 May. The show is part of their first ever world tour as the “Nation’s Girl Group.”

The video allegedly has Jhoanna, Colet and Stacey making sexual remarks involving a “13-year-old” named Ashley.

Also allegedly participating in the video is Ethan, a member of the new Viva Artists Agency all-boys group GAT. Ethan is also in the cast of the Viva Studio TV show Ang Muse ng Section E, a well-followed sitcom top-billed by Andres Muhlach and Althea Olviga. (Muhlach is the son of showbiz royalty couple Aga Muhlach and beauty queen Charlene Gonzales.)

Another personality allegedly involve in the video is Shawn, a professional dancer and content creator.

The video seems to have been deleted after it went viral and its source, as of this writing, remains unknown, as well as the identity of the person who leaked it on social media. 

Shortly after it went viral, BINI’s social media platforms addressed the video in an official statement on Thursday (8 May) apologizing for the controversy. 

In the statement, the names of Jhoanna Robles, Colet Vergar, and Stacey Sevilleja were on top, while their other bandmates were at the bottom. 

A report on the website PEP.ph said about the video: “... Ginawa nilang katatawanan ang maselang isyu ng grooming at sexual abuse.” 

The video begins with Shawn positioning himself behind Ethan. Shawn acts like he is pulling Ethan’s hair while the middle part of his body seems to be gyrating. The PEP report categorically said in Filipino that Shawn and Ethan were imitating a sexual act. 

The PEP report went on to reveal that while Ethan and Shaw were acting, Jhoanna could be seen sitting on a sofa and giggling. 

In the background, continued the report in Tagalog, a young woman’s voice could be heard mouthing: “Ganyan ginagawa niya kay Ashley… sinasabunutan (That’s what they are doing to Ashely…pulling his hair).” The report pointed out that the voice must be that of Stacey. 

Another voice in the background reportedly blurted: “Oo, 13 years old.” The report said the voice sounded like that of Colet. 

The report then proceeded to quote lengthily from BINI’s statement: “We know that the past couple of days have been triggering and disappointing for all of you. Sincerely, we understand where all of those feelings are coming from.”

The statement said the video was meant to be “a private moment” among friends, even as the BINI girls stressed that they have “no excuse for our actions, reactions and choice of words.” 

They went on to declare: “We take full accountability. Nagkamali kami (We made a mistake),” they said.

BINI also apologized to their fans (known as Blooms), friends and family for the controversy. The group also hoped that they would be given a chance to reflect and “work on becoming better versions” of themselves.

“Maraming salamat po sa inyong malasakit, suporta, at pang-unawa (Thank you very much for your concern, support and understanding),” they proclaimed.