Fil-Ams beam with pride as BINI makes Coachella history

INDIO, Calif. — Filipino pride took center stage at this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, as P-pop girl group BINI made history as the first all-Filipino act to perform at one of the world’s biggest and most influential music festivals.  

For many Filipino Americans in attendance, the moment felt personal – a cultural breakthrough years in the making.

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Sheena, from left, Gwen, Jhoanna, Stacey, Aiah, Mikha, Maloi, and Colet of Bini perform during the first weekend of Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Friday April 10, 2026, in Indio, Calif. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

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Former actress Saira Bunny Parras, who moved from Manila to Los Angeles in 2002, said she attended Coachella mainly to watch BINI and feel the energy of the crowd. 

Bunny Paras | CONTRIBUTED

“It’s only my second year watching Coachella. It’s fun – pagod na ako, older na ako – but it’s epic to experience the art and music, especially if you’re a music lover,” she told Inquirer USA.  

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‘Exhilarating’

Parras described the three-day festival as both exhilarating and exhausting, with “15,000 to 20,000 steps a day” under the blazing desert sun.

She and her friends stayed at a nearby house in Indio to avoid the steep accommodation costs that have become part of the Coachella experience.  

“You’ll love the crowd,” she said. “It’s windy and cold at night, warm during the day. But overall, it’s a great experience talaga.” 

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She noted that many attendees came prepared with collapsible water bottles, earphones, thrifted outfits and shuttle passes for easier access – a mix of practicality and style that echoes the festival’s culture.  

Visible Filipino presence

Parras proudly highlighted the visible Filipino presence in the audience this year. 

“I think there were a lot of people excited to watch BINI. Even non-Filipinos were Googling the group and watching them. Their merch even sold out,” she said. “The BINI area was packed – you could hear people chanting their name before they even started.”  

She recalled a lighthearted moment that showed the Filipino spirit. “Another guy even held up a Jollibee bucket so his group wouldn’t get lost. You could tell right away there were many Filipinos there.”  

For Peter Morante, a Los Angeles-based mental health doctor who attended the festival with his wife, BINI’s performance was more than just entertainment.  

Peter Morante and wife Kristel Marquez | CONTRIBUTED

“From humble beginnings to the Mojave Stage, BINI is living proof that hard work, faith, and staying true to your dream can take you from nothing to global recognition,” Morante told Inquirer USA. 

“Watching them stand on that stage made me proud not just as a fan, but as someone who relates to their journey.”  

He said seeing non-Filipinos dance to BINI’s Tagalog hits was another highlight. 

“It reminded me that great music doesn’t need translation – it just needs heart, energy and authenticity.”  

‘They made us feel represented’

Morante added that the moment signified more than pop success. 

“Those three Filipino songs didn’t alienate the crowd. They made us feel represented. It’s proof that when the vibe is real, the world dances with you.”

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Restaurant owner Venus Macias Marin, who attended with her daughters, said she felt the pride deep in her bones. 

Venus Macias Marin with her daughters | CONTRIBUTED

“Watching BINI on stage at the biggest festival in the world felt great. They brought Pinoy pride,” Marin said.  

Jhoanna, from left, Mikha, Stacey, Sheena, Maloi, Aiah, Colet, and Gwen of Bini performs during the first weekend of Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Friday April 10, 2026, in Indio, Calif. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Now in her 50s, she admitted the experience was physically demanding. 

“You walk and stand for miles. I had sore legs and body aches – but the pain goes away; the memories don’t,” she said with a laugh.  

For Filipinos across the US, BINI’s Coachella debut marked not just a musical milestone, but global recognition for Filipino artistry.  

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