Gary Valenciano, also known as Mr. Pure Energy, was present at the second day of BINIverse, the 3-day sold-out concert of the Nation’s Girl Group. He came along with wife Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano to show support to the girls. 

He recalled a conversation he had with the BINI a few days before the concert. 

“I know during that time na nakausap ko sila, medyo kinakabahan sila, pagod sila, takot sila,” he shared. “Mentally they really want to get [ready] and make sure that the concert  is what it's supposed to be, which is world-class.”

Despite their apprehension, Gary was optimistic that they would be ready for their first solo concert, and they did not disappoint. 

“This is the first time I’m seeing them full-out. This is what I was hoping to see,” he said. 

Gary commended the bond within the group, saying, “Kung ano ang nakikita ng tao onstage, may pinaghuhugatan yan eh. They lived together, they know each other, may friction yan for sure but they allowed the friction to bring out the best in them.”

Aside from that, he also praised their solo productions where each member was able to stand out as an individual.

“May mga style sila na gustong-gusto kong makita, because it proved to me na… ABS-CBN really did what they had to do in order to bring out the best in these girls. 

He was all praises for BINI and the way they handled themselves during the entire concert.

“The way they were talking to the audience, the way they were talking to each other, the way they were cracking jokes, the way they were working together with the production,” Gary said. 

A veteran when it comes to staging concerts, Gary understood the hard work that goes into the whole production. 

“Hindi madali ang ginawa nila,” he stressed. “It was almost a three-hour show and most of their songs were dance.”

He was impressed with how BINI maintained their energy during the performance. 

“But I think, there was never a dull moment," he said. "Not one moment na kung saan you're just, 'Ano na?' They were always there onstage.”

Looking back to when he first heard them on the ASAP stage, Gary recalled how he and other artists already saw potential in them. 

“I really saw something there right from the very start,” he said. “‘I'm not sure if it was Iñigo (Pascual) or Darren (Espanto), and then we looked at each other na parang … Wala kaming sinabi sa isa't isa, pero the only thing we said was, 'Di ba? 'Di ba, meron?'” he said.

Gary concluded by reaffirming his belief in BINI's world-class talent. “I am so happy that the Philippines has a P-pop group, an all-female P-pop group that we can be proud of. It's something that we can truly be proud of,” he said.

BINI's BINIverse: The First Solo Concert happened from June 28 to June 30 at the New Frontier Theater. The three-day shows were sold out in a matter of hours when the tickets went on sale.

The group will also bring BINIverse outside Metro Manila, including Baguio, Cebu, and General Santos City, starting July 6.

— By Samantha Prats