Choreographer says 'quick learners' Bini help with dance choreographies

MANILA, Philippines — P-pop broke more barriers thanks to the likes of SB19 making local and international waves, and now groups like Bini are continuing this growing phase of Filipino music.

Bini is the product of an ABS-CBN training camp that took a couple of years to formulate. The girl group came to public knowledge with its modern spin on Ryan Cayabyab and Smokey Mountain's 1991 popular song with the same title, "Da Coconut Nut," in 2020. 

Since then, the group made its official debut in 2021 with "Born To Win." With the release of the extended play "Talaarawan" this year, Bini immediately has hits like "Pantropiko," "Salamin, Salamin" and "Karera."

An early witness to Bini's growth and rise to stardom is one of their choreographers, Matthew Almodovar, who has been involved with the group as early as 2019 when it was still in its audition phase.

Dance became a part of Almodovar's life when he was six years old, ultimately leading him to professionally teach it 15 years later.

Apart from doing choreography for Bini, he coaches the University of Santo Tomas senior high dance troupe Galvanize and is a member of the dance group TPM that competes both locally and internationally.

In an exclusive interview with Philstar.com, Almodovar shared his observations on Bini's rise in popularity.

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Almodovar acknowledged that as idols, choreography would be integral to Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna and Sheena as members of Bini. As the group's choregrapher, Almodovar said he genuinely enjoys crafting the moves because he adores the group.

"Personally, I just enjoy working and making choreos for Bini [because] I love their music and also I love working with Bini. So, parang that pushes or inspires me to make choreos for them," he said.

The choreographer shared his process for teaching varies across songs. He is part of the three-man coaching team with Reden Blanquera and Mickey Perz.

For example, he compared the choreography for "Karera" took him three days to plan, while "Pantropiko" only took him an hour to come up with the dance steps. 

Almodovar said the girls are quick learners. "Isa 'yun sa mga gusto namin sa Bini, especially if we don't have the luxury of having many rehearsals [because] of their busy schedule," he said. 

The members are very involved in the choreography, noted Almodovar. He shared that the viral "Pantropiko" challege was choreographed by main dancer and Bini's youngest member, Sheena.

"We let her experience being part of the creative process nu'ng dance, and actually she really did great," Matthew continued, adding the same went for the rest of Bini. "May times that we ask them if comfortable sila sa ibang choreos that we give them or we ask their opinions about the pieces that we make."

WATCH: Bini dances to 'Pantropiko'

Even for their solo parts in a given song, the girls have the freedom to make their own choreography.

"We appreciate kung gaano ka-meticulous 'yung Bini when it comes to cleanliness nila sa dance na in training chine-check nila bawat isa to see if pare-pareho sila ng galaw or hindi," he told Philstar.com.

Matthew admitted that he and the girls have seen and enjoyed videos of people attempting Bini's choregraphy many times.

For him, it is heartwarming to see people take their time learning the steps and seeing them having fun dancing them, "That's one of the goals naman ng music ng Bini or ng Bini mismo — to make people happy with their craft."

The choreography team continue to help Bini build its own identity through dance but they make sure fans (known as Blooms) do not see the same thing over and over again, "Andon 'yung identity but always better with every performances that we give them."

As a parting message, Matthew shared his favorite routine or step that he taught the group.

"Siguro etong 'Pantropiko.' Super love ko 'yung song talaga from the first time I heard it," Matthew ended. "Nag-enjoy ako gawin choreos nito and 'yung pag-iisip ng blockings and elements." — Video by Kathleen A. Llemit, editing by Anjilica Andaya; Music video from the official YouTube channel of Bini. 

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