P-Pop girl group BINI dances to their hit song “Pantropiko.” Shannel Tanggol, ABS-CBN News Intern  

MANILA -- Guided by the grip of BINI’s alluring vocals and moves onstage, some 6,000 “Blooms'' cheered, sang and danced along to the mega-hit song “Pantropiko” at a mall in Antipolo City last April 20.

Since the stage could not be seen from all sides of the venue, fans at the back failed to get the full BINI experience. 

To everyone’s delight, a Bloom stepped up at the back and confidently danced, surrounded by fellow fans who formed a temporary “islang Pantropiko.”          

The choreography for the song's chorus matches its summer and island vibe — arms outstretched a la Hawaiian hula then crisscrossing as if to mimic the waves of the ocean. 

Credit for the viral steps and gestures goes to BINI’s youngest member and main dancer, Sheena.

BINI’s Sheena dances and interacts with fans at a mall guesting in Antipolo City on April 20, 2024. Shannel Tanggol, ABS-CBN News Intern But for the 19-year-old Sheena, coming up with the perfect dance combo did not come easy. 

A former dance group member and a "Pinoy Big Brother: Otso" housemate, Sheena said she experimented with several backup versions before finding “the one.”

“Every night, after training, nag a-ano ako ng ano bang magandang combination.” she said in an interview with ABS-CBN News. 

(I would spend my nights experimenting with different dance combinations.) 

‘KAPIT HANGGANG HULI’

Screen grab from BINI’s Dance Practice Video. BINI/YouTubeEverything started as a challenge to Sheena by one of BINI’s dance coaches, Mickey Perz.

With promotions for their single “Karera” ending at the time and Perz pressuring her for the choreography, Sheena admitted she was under a lot of stress to finalize the steps for “Pantropiko.”

But with the help of BINI’s other dance coaches Matthew Almodovar and Reden Blanquera, she completed the dance. 

“Napa-send po ako bigla so pagod na pagod na pagod po kami sa training nun pero wala po akong choice kung 'di mag-video na,” Sheena said.

(I was exhausted from training but I had no choice but to send the video.)

To Sheena’s surprise, the draft was approved.

She later posted a video dancing her moves on TikTok, which started to gain traction from fans, non-fans and even international celebrities.

As of writing, “Pantropiko’s” performance video has surpassed 10 million views on YouTube, while nearly 647,000 videos using the song as their background music are posted on TikTok. 

Local and international celebrities including Niana Guerrero, Denise Julia, SB19, former 2NE1 member Minzy and UNIS have participated in the dance challenge.

The P-pop hit has also jumped to the K-Pop world, with fans requesting their biases to groove to “Pantropiko” — among them Red Velvet’s Irene, Enhypen’s Jay and ITZY’s Ryujin.

Former 2NE1 member Minzy joins 'Pantropiko' dance challenge
BINI gushes over Irene of Red Velvet's 'Pantropiko' dance challenge

‘NABIGYAN NG JUSTICE’

“Pantropiko’s” success also surprised the team behind the summer love anthem.

“Nabigyan nila ng justice ‘yung song (They gave justice to the song),” producer and composer Mat Olavides of FlipMusic Productions Inc. said in a separate interview. 

A perfect balance of hip, leg, and upper-body work brought out what Olavides envisioned during the music production process. 

For him, Sheena understood the assignment and delivered.

Co-composer Pow Chavez, also from FlipMusic, said the choreography added to the impact of the song.

“Malaking bagay kasi when people add choreo, parang nagkakaroon din siya ng something that makes you remember it easily,” Chavez said. 

(Choreography is a huge deal. It makes people remember songs easily.)

Beyond just singing, BINI’s ability to create their own choreography speaks volumes about their versatility as artists, Chavez added.

BINI tops Billboard PH charts with 'Pantropiko'
BINI’s ‘Pantropiko’ is Spotify Top Song in PH for April 18 

As the craze for “Pantropiko” continues, one more BINI song, “Salamin, Salamin”, is topping charts and owning people’s hearts with its cutesy hand-gesture-heavy choreography.

For the girls, the still-growing fame of not only their songs but the accompanying moves three years after their group’s debut “feels so good.”

Sheena said that if she is ever given another chance to choreograph for BINI, she will gladly take on the challenge.

“I just feel like kaya ko pang mag-choreo pa kasi it’s for BINI,” Sheena told ABS-CBN current affairs show “Tao Po.”  

(I just feel that I can do more choreographies because it’s for BINI.)

“Magko-choreo ba ako ng pangit? Hindi.”

(Would I choreograph something plain? Never.)

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