BINI's Jhoanna, Maloi, Colet, and Mikha during the advanced screening of "Chapter 1: Born to Win" in Quezon City, September 23, 2024. X/@BINI_ph

MANILA — It was the mega-hit "Pantropiko" that introduced Filipino girl group BINI to a wider audience this year -- an audience that grew exponentially as the months progressed.

In the three years since they debuted in the entertainment industry, BINI faced several challenges before they finally "boomed" and rose to popularity.

Through "Chapter 1: Born to Win" -- the first of a three-part docu series chronicling BINI's journey -- their fans were immersed in the group's origin story. "Born to Win" tracked the selection process, their personal battles, their fears during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ABS-CBN shutdown, among others.

It also showed how they eventually won the hearts of the Filipino people to become the "Nation's Girl Group."

A lucky group of 888 "Blooms" got to watch "Born to Win" on Monday night, three days before it officially starts streaming on iWantTFC.

"Naging fan ako kaka-scroll sa TikTok, 'Pantropiko' video ng isang vlogger 'yun tas na-hook ako, so, ni-search ko kung sino 'yung artist nu'n, it came up na BINI pala, hanggang sa BINI core at sunod-sunod na," 27-year-old BPO worker Kate Golez, one of the fans, told ABS-CBN News.

"Although, 'di ako OG na Bloom parang sobrang sarap panoorin kasi makikita mo talaga 'yung hardships, 'yung mga pinaghirapan ng mga girls," 26-year-old cybersecurity engineer Jeffrey Francis Bonaobra said.

READ: Blooms get first look at BINI docuseries 'Chapter 1: Born to Win'

READ: BINI members emotional after watching their docuseries 'Chapter 1: Born to Win'

ROADBLOCKSScenes from the documentary "BINI Chapter 1: Born to Win." Handout/iWantTFC"Born to Win" digs deeper into BINI's story that had been touched on in the "One Dream" show that also featured BGYO. It shows how the girls dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic and the denial of the ABS-CBN franchise in 2020 -- some of the biggest roadblocks in their journey.

Among the highlights for Golez was how BINI member Sheena Catacutan handled the death of her mother during the pandemic with strict lockdown measures.

In the documentary, it was revealed that Catacutan was not able to catch up to the funeral of her mom but was still determined to push through the debut of their group.

Golez was inspired of the girl group member's grit and determination to move forward and be with her new found family

"Family-oriented ako, so, parang masakit sa akin na 'yung ganoong event sa buhay, hindi niya na-witness. Nung nawala 'yung mom niya, buried na, nawala siya, sobrang strong ni Sheenah doon," the fan said.

"Ganoon pala 'yung hirap ng pinagdaanan nila, sobrang dami nilang pinagdaanan para mag-boom sila this year and I'm so proud for them," she added.

READ: BINI docu-series to air on iWantTFC on September 26

TRIUMPHSScenes from the documentary "BINI Chapter 1: Born to Win." Handout/iWantTFCBINI's path to stardom was not easy, with plenty of trial and error before they released "Pantropiko" in November 2023. 

The docuseries showed BINI's resourcefulness, from their pre-debut days with "Da Coconut Nut" until they finally found the right sound -- bubblegum pop.

READ: BINI dazzles with 'Pantropiko' debut on 'ASAP'

READ: BINI enters Spotify, iTunes PH charts with new single 'Pantropiko'

Being a new fan, Bonaobra said that he saw how human the girls in the docuseries, highlighting BINI member Aiah Arceta's battle with anxiety during their highly successful "BINIverse" concert in June.

"It shows na kahit idol sila, ganoon na sila kasikat, tao pa rin sila, nagsa-suffer 'yung mental health," he said.

Bonaobra lauded Arceta's professionalism as the BINI member overcame her struggles to shine in all three nights of "BINIverse."

"Nag-ta-translate rin siya kung paano sila mag-perform on stage so makikita mo kung gaano sila ka-professional tulad nung nagkasakit sila, tuloy pa rin sa performance," the fan said.

He also stressed how the conclusion of the docuseries showed that BINI's blood, sweat, and tears has finally paid off with their success.

"Ano siya, inspiring at masarap sa puso kasi nakikita mo kung paano nila ibigay 'yung best kahit na marami silang hardships na pinagdaanan," he said.

"BINI Chapter 1: Born to Win" is the first of a three-part documentary series from director Jet Leyco (Gawad Urian and FAMAS award-winner, Taiwan International Documentary Film Festival Jury Prize for "For My Alien Friend," Fantasia International Film Festival Jury Prize for "Matangtubig," Jeonju Film Festival Jury Prize for "Ex Press") and journalist/writer Jeff Canoy (Palanca award-winner, Cannes Gold Dolphin for Documentary, 2018 New York Festivals Gold World Medal for Documentary, 2021 New York Festivals Bronze World Medal for Documentary).

"BINI Chapter 1: Born To Win" is now available on iWantTFC.

READ: New BINI docu series offers exclusive look into rise of Nation's Girl Group

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