ChatGPT đã nói:

“DISGUSTED DAW SILA?!” – BINI Group Under Fire After Allegedly ‘Mocking’ Beloved Pinoy Street Food! 🤬🍢🇵🇭
Netizens FURIOUS Over Viral Video: “Are They Too Good For Filipino Culture?!”

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – What was supposed to be a lighthearted content segment has now turned into a full-blown social media firestorm, with OPM girl group BINI facing a wave of criticism from fans and Filipinos alike. The group, known for their catchy songs and polished image, is now being accused of looking down on iconic Filipino street food—a move that many are calling “elitist,” “disrespectful,” and “disconnected from their roots.”

And it all started with just a few words: “Eww… I can’t.”

The Video That Sparked Outrage

The controversy exploded after a behind-the-scenes clip from a popular vlog surfaced online. In the video, the BINI members were challenged to taste-test classic Pinoy street food — from isaw (grilled chicken intestines), balut (fertilized duck egg), to betamax (coagulated blood). While some members gamely joined, others visibly winced, covered their noses, and made gagging sounds.

One member was even heard saying:

“I really can’t. It smells so bad! This is not for me.”

Another added with a laugh:

“Can we skip this part? Like, seriously — this is disgusting!”

Though possibly said in jest, the video quickly made the rounds on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), where netizens did not take it lightly.

Netizens React: “BINI, You Just Insulted the Filipino Masses!”

It didn’t take long for Filipino netizens to flood the internet with rage.

“You’re literally representing the Philippines, and yet you gag at our food? Disgusting behavior.”

“Street food is what many Filipinos survive on. Your reaction is classist and offensive.”

“If K-pop idols can eat balut on shows out of respect, why can’t BINI do the same for their own culture?”

The hashtag #CancelBINI trended overnight, alongside #RespectPinoyFood and #StreetFoodIsLife.

Some even went as far as comparing the group to colonial elites, accusing them of having “imported attitudes” and “trying too hard to act Western.”

A Deeper Issue: Elitism in Local Showbiz?

Cultural critics chimed in, stating that the issue is bigger than just one video.

“This is a symptom of a deeper identity crisis in Philippine entertainment,” said Prof. Liza Villanueva, a sociologist. “Some local artists are celebrated more for looking foreign or sounding international, but when it comes to embracing grassroots Filipino culture—like food, dialects, or traditions—they distance themselves. And that’s harmful.”

In a society where many still suffer from poverty, street food is not just a snack—it’s a symbol of resilience and unity. For many, seeing BINI allegedly mock that is equivalent to mocking their daily lives.

BINI’s Camp Responds — But It Might Be Too Late

Amid the mounting backlash, BINI’s management team released a brief statement:

“The members of BINI did not intend to offend anyone. The video was edited without context, and any reactions were spontaneous and not meant to insult Filipino culture. We deeply respect and love our heritage.”

But the response only added fuel to the fire.

“Too little, too late,” one fan commented.
“If you respected our heritage, you wouldn’t gag at isaw like it’s garbage.”

Calls for a public apology and a more sincere response continue to grow louder.

Fans Divided: Defend or Denounce?

Not all fans are abandoning the group. Some are rallying behind BINI, saying:

“They’re still young and learning. Let’s not cancel people over a mistake.”

“I gag at balut too — that doesn’t mean I hate being Filipino.”

However, many argue that as public figures, the group should be more culturally aware and responsible, especially since they’re often promoted as modern ambassadors of Filipino youth.

Will This Damage BINI’s Career Permanently?

The controversy has sparked debates across morning shows, radio segments, and YouTube reaction channels. Several barangay festivals and local sponsors have reportedly put collaborations on hold while “waiting to see how this plays out.”

Even former supporters in the diaspora have chimed in:

“We proudly play BINI’s music in our Filipino-American community,” said a fan in California. “But now, I’m hesitant. If they won’t embrace where they come from, why should we support them?”

A Wake-Up Call for All Local Celebrities?

This incident may serve as a turning point—not just for BINI, but for the entire entertainment industry. Will this push artists to embrace Filipino culture more authentically? Or will it drive them further away in pursuit of international fame?

Conclusion: From Idols to Outcasts?

BINI may still recover with humility, reflection, and a meaningful gesture. But for now, they remain in the eye of a cultural storm, with their credibility and connection to the Filipino people hanging by a thread.

Will they own up, apologize sincerely, and redeem themselves? Or will they become yet another cautionary tale of fame gone tone-deaf?

Only time—and maybe a plate of isaw—will tell.

OPINION: In defense of BINI: Chewing over unfair criticisms

The recent uproar sparked by BINI’s snack tasting video on “People Vs Food” has quickly spiraled into a baffling and unwarranted wave of criticism against our nation’s P-Pop darlings. While public commentary is essential, the swift condemnation of these young women as “maarte” or “un-Filipino” because of their reactions to certain local delicacies is not only deeply unfair but fundamentally misunderstands what it means to embody modern Filipino identity.

It’s time to set the record straight: BINI’s genuine connection to their heritage and their individual tastes stand distinct from any perceived lack of national pride.

Humility, not haughtiness

Accusations that BINI members are “maarte” or “acting rich” quickly fall apart when confronted with their own candid remarks.

Consider a telling moment from the tasting video, where a member commented on mamon: “We can only buy this if we have a lot of money. Yeah, it’s true. It’s for rich [kids].

This isn’t pretentiousness. It’s a raw display of humility and undeniable relatability. Her words reveal a past where even seemingly common treats like mamon were considered luxuries, often out of reach.

That simple revelation shatters any notion of them “feeling rich” or being disconnected. What we hear, instead, is an honest reflection of socio-economic realities in the Philippines, straight from their own lives.

Picky eaters? So what?

Another point of contention is that they might be picky eaters. And to that, we should simply say: So what? Everyone has food preferences. To demand that every Filipino, celebrity or not, must universally adore every single local delicacy is absurd.

We don’t all like the same things, and that’s perfectly normal. Criticizing them for having individual tastes is akin to criticizing someone for preferring coffee over tea – it’s a personal choice, not a moral failing.

Language and authenticity

The demand that BINI be “more Filipino” often collides head-on with another, often unspoken, expectation of “celebrity perfection.” Yet, these ladies regularly spoke in Tagalog or Taglish throughout the video to express themselves more comfortably. It’s a testament to their authenticity and their desire to convey thoughts clearly, rather than forcing perfect English

Some critics, bafflingly, even typed out, “act pretentious if you can already speak perfect English.” This sentiment lays bare a profound elitism and linguistic snobbery.

We readily celebrate, even find charm in, Korean pop stars attempting English, even with mistakes. So why do we hold Filipino celebrities to an impossible standard of linguistic perfection before granting them the same freedom of expression or genuine reactions?

To accuse BINI of being inauthentic while simultaneously faulting their English proficiency is a baffling and hypocritical double standard.

BINI on 'People Vs Food.' Screengrab

Unrealistic expectations

The bar for celebrities often rests at an impossible height. We expect them to be perfect, politically correct, universally knowledgeable, and unfailingly agreeable. This is an unattainable standard for anyone, let alone young artists who are still growing and learning.

These are still very young women, and it’s perfectly fine for them to not know everything, or to simply have varied experiences. Their reactions? They’re just normal young people trying things, certainly not issuing cultural manifestos.

Furthermore, they’re not committing a crime. Having a strong reaction to a food item, even one beloved by others, is not illegal or immoral. The vitriol directed at them is disproportionate to the “offense.”

Self-correction

To truly grasp BINI’s self-awareness and authentic group dynamic, consider the balut segment. There, a playful yet telling exclamation from Stacey cut through the reactions: “My god, you guys are fake Filipino!”

This particular quip serves as potent evidence against claims that they are out of touch. Far from an insult or serious accusation, this was pure, light-hearted, self-aware banter among friends.

The playful comment not only revealed their authentic, perhaps surprised or humorous, reaction to the balut; it also powerfully signaled their complete awareness of the food’s cultural significance and the unwritten rule that a “real Filipino” should embrace it.

They were self-aware enough to joke about their own reaction in light of that cultural standard. They know what the expectation is, even if their personal palate doesn’t always align

This was not an isolated incident. Throughout the video, BINI members consistently corrected each other and elaborated on their initial thoughts

Consider the turon lover: she gave it a 9 not because she disliked turon, but because the specific ones served in the episode had too much caramelized sugar coating.

Or the taho, which scored a 5 not as a rejection of the classic comfort snack, but because some members simply preferred smaller pearls over the larger sago served.

These are subtle distinctions, not blanket rejections of Filipino food. The video felt less like a rigid, planned performance and more like candid glimpses of friends who truly experience something. Their playful group dynamic and readiness to joke about their own palates is a sign of comfort and authenticity, not disrespect.

Telling BINI to eat like Filipinos, then shaming them for flinching, is cultural policing dressed up as patriotism.