Grand BINIverse Bulacan
February 15, 2025
Been very unlucky during BINI ticket sellings thus far, despite patiently (online) queuing for all their past concerts. For this one, I was able to buy within the first 10 minutes of sale using the link Jan gave me. I promised myself I will only buy cheapest tickets beginning 2025, so I bought gen ad. Initially I thought I was scammed because the electronic ticket was released to me only three days before the concert.
I also availed shuttle van service. All of us in the van were women; some went with friends, but some went alone just like me. Kuya driver played BINI songs the entire ride.
Talked to someone from my van who went alone and also had a gen ad ticket. We were out having a bit of small talk while looking for our queue section, when she mentioned the appearance clearance, which was a form that concert goers supposedly have to present at ticket inspection. I didn’t have one, and voiced it out loud, and immediately a fellow concert goer in front of us handed me a blank form right away! I wish I was able to give her something, but I wasn’t able to make bracelets this time.
I brought lunch from home and ate it while on queue. Since I didn’t buy food, I had some money to spare for a Sheena headband (Php150) – a basic black headband with two printed mini Sheenas. Must be because of this that the guy in front of me gave me his Sheena banner.
At the inspection booth section, I cursed myself for not listening to my father about bringing disposable utensils. My lunch box got confiscated! And even my headband got confiscated! I got to keep the mini Sheenas but still!! And the appearance clearance form they didn’t even ask for!!!
I almost got cramps from all the stair climbing I had to do to get to my section, so I already have an idea how far my seat was. It was alright for the price. I still got centerish view, almost unobstructed, and the screens are big enough.
Concert mini thoughts
- Opening act was an artist named Carmelle, who sang a Rihanna medley. She sounded so good live!
- My point of comparison for stage design is TWICE at PH Arena. This one got big screens as well, and I was surprised with the quality of live feed
- Opening is too long, that onion bulb looking thing took forever to open I was starting to feel awkward
- Too much freaking commercials. Karera is my favorite BINI song and I was looking forward to the performance. During the chorus they had this humungous Payless Pancit canton logo on screen instead of the girls. What the fuck. They even performed a bunch of product jingles as part of the setlist
- Bini Bingi, I should be called. I think because the speakers are near me, and because Blooms scream too loudly
- The girls have energy and stage presence. They sound OK live. There were just some technical issues but near the end there was apparent fatigue
- Aiah is sooooooooo pretty. Everytime she’s on screen I get starstruck. And her Duo stage with Stacey!!! Gahd I freakin lost my mind
- Felt bad that Sheena isn’t getting as many cheers. She’s so pretty and her voice is super stable and she dances so well!!!! I am a sucker for short haired Sheena as well
- Another thing that pissed me off was the promotion of KimPau movie. Paulo Avelino was super KJ and pa-cool, he acts as if what was happening is beneath him and couldn’t even be bothered to fake like he’s enjoying himself. Nobody wants you here bro
- So, it turns out that the Maki feature is because of the KimPau movie as well. He sounds good, but I was pissed already so I didn’t get to enjoy his performance as much.
Post-Con thoughts
I am so thankful I got to watch BINI but the blatant capitalism put me off to be honest. I get that they are cash cows as of the moment. I just wished it wasn’t that in-your-face. They didn’t even bother to be creative.
