The Nation’s Girl Group Bini is set to make history in 2026 as the first Filipino pop group to perform at the world-renowned Coachella music festival — a milestone that has fueled pride from fans and the Filipino public.
Among those celebrating the group’s achievement is Akari, a homegrown brand known for its lighting, electrical, and rechargeable products. Akari has partnered with Bini for a line of rechargeable “Blooming” fans and hosted a fan meet last September 16, just hours after the Coachella announcement.
At the event, Bini — composed of members Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena — performed hits including “Salamin, Salamin,” “Out of My Head,” and “Shagidi” before joining their fans, known as Blooms, for games and dances.
The members of Bini (from left) Stacey, Gwen, Jhoanna, Sheena, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, and Mikha. TMT PHOTOS
Adding to the excitement, Jhoanna playfully referenced the Coachella news during a Q&A. Using an Akari portable fan as a microphone, she sang her favorite line from their track “Lagi.”
“Since we received good news earlier… thank you, Lord, let’s sing the one from ‘Lagi.’ ‘Sa Luzon, Visayas ba, sa Coachella kaya (In Luzon, is it Visayas, maybe at Coachella)?’” she replaced the lyrics.
When asked how they want fans to remember the group amid back-to-back milestones, Mikha replied, “The authenticity, the joy, and the pride we bring. We’re just honest with ourselves. We want to normalize that our group is not perfect. We’re all humans. Also, our pop songs.”
Akari Director of Technology Gerard Tan said the partnership reflects the company’s mission to support Filipino talent both locally and internationally.
“We’re happy to be partnered with the Philippines’ best. We know that Bini embodies what the true Filipino is on both the local and international field,” Tan said in an interview.
Tan, who also learned about the Coachella news the same day, called it a “huge deal for us as Filipinos.”
“I think anytime we can get more people to support Filipinos — to put eyes on them as individuals, on their families, their causes, and their initiatives outside of their work — that’s something good for us as a country,” he said.
Akari plays host to the fan meet as represented by the brand’s director of technology, Gerard Tan
Beyond the Coachella celebration, Tan emphasized Akari’s commitment to creating “top-quality products at affordable prices” designed for a wide range of lifestyles — from students to athletes to overseas workers.
“To us, right now, that’s Bini. We’re happy. We’re proud of them. Congratulations to them in Coachella. I think that’s what makes them the best. And they get to perform in an international platform,” Tan said.
The partnership, Tan added, also aligns with Akari’s broader vision as a company.
“In the company, we always say that we want to be sales leaders and thought leaders. On the sales front, we’re hitting numbers and looking forward to executing more in the near future. We launched the products with Bini barely a month ago, so there’s still a lot more time and a lot to look forward to,” he said.
Thought leadership, he explained, means shaping how Filipinos see the brand and ensuring its products evolve with changing lifestyles.
“That’s something we’re working on daily, whether through the Bini partnership or other divisions the company has, whether it’s real estate or sports. There’s a lot to look forward to. Sales leadership, thought leadership — we’re working on both fronts,” Tan ended.
With Coachella on the horizon, Bini continues to represent Filipino talent on the global stage — and with partners like Akari, they’re bringing their fans along for the journey.
