MANILA — P-pop group BINI met with Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay on Friday to discuss the group’s potential role as tourism ambassadors for the Philippines.
The eight-member group—Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha and Sheena—held the courtesy meeting with Angara-Mathay alongside Star Magic head Lauren Dyogi.
Angara-Mathay said the Department of Tourism (DOT) views the partnership as a long-term initiative.
“We want a long-term relationship kasi ‘yun ang may impact. We’re with them for the long haul. That’s what we have in mind and hopefully, the group has the same in mind,” she said.
She added that each BINI member represents a province or municipality and is familiar with the attractions of their hometowns.
Dyogi welcomed the proposal and said BINI supports efforts to promote the country.
“It’s an honor for BINI, for us to be here. As we’ve said in the past, we’re here to help promote not only OPM but the Filipino culture,” he said.
He added that the group and the DOT have not finalized the partnership.
“We have not finalized anything but there are a lot of possibilities that we’re looking at,” Dyogi said.
Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Ren Sapitan said the agency plans to involve the group in regional and provincial events if the partnership proceeds.
“As much as possible, we want to engage them in regional and provincial events because these are the communities that we support the most from the national government,” Sapitan said.
The DOT also said it is considering partnerships with other Filipino personalities, including SB19 and tennis player Alex Eala, as part of its tourism promotion efforts.
The meeting followed BINI’s recent international achievements, including becoming the first all-Filipino girl group to perform at the Coachella music festival.
