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BINI Gwen on Living Fiercely and Staying Loyal to the Group She Calls Home

The nonchalant Gwen Apuli tackles things head-on, confident that her fellow BINI members are beside and behind her through and through

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Elaine Carag-Calderon

When it comes to fierce transformations from backstage to centerstage, Gwen Apuli is your girl. BINI’s leadvocalist, she seems to be the quietest—or themost nonchalant, as Blooms say—yet she’s stillone of the most magnetic performers in thegroup. A self-confessed introvert, the 21-year-old Bicolana just knows what works for her.<div> </div>						Before becoming a part of the Nation’s GirlGroup, Gwen has already had her fair share ofexperience in show business as a former PinoyBig Brother housemate and a model. Nowthat she’s a certified pop idol, she’s also fastbecoming a part of a list of OPM artists she onlyused to listen to.<div> </div>						“Si Ms. Sarah G, naaalala ko, sobrang idolko nu’ng bata ako,” she shares. “Si Ms. YengConstantino hanggang naging Moira delaTorre. Lumaki ako sa OPM talaga.”<div> </div>						And despite BINI’s continuous rise to thetop, Gwen remains as down-to-earth as shewas before their singles hit peak popularity.“Actually, hindi ko naman po napapansin.Ginagawa ko lang ’yung dapat kong gawin,”she says. Every day, she just gets up andprepares to tackle the day head-on. They’re sobusy, she barely has time to mind the haters. <div> </div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/cffbb2b9-4f11-4fc8-807c-67cf2f0f857b_metro_bini_gwen (1).jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="BINI Gwen on Metro"/>On GWEN: Flocked Monogram Denim Jacket, V for Vuitton Earrings, all Louis Vuitton<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"> Photography by BJ Pascual </div><div>Related Story: <a href="/people/digital-covers/bini-on-the-cover-of-metro-35th-anniversary-issue/39245" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BINI: Poised for Stardom, Polished for Success</a></div><div> </div>“Ako kasi medyo batak na rin ako kasigaling akong PBB. Batak din bashers saPBB, so medyo nakapag-adjust na rin ako,” she says.<div> </div>Thankfully, she has the rest of BINI to cling toin good times and in bad.						“Nu’ng bata-bata pa ako, sabi ko, hindiako ma-a-attach,” she confesses. “Kasi neverpa ako nagkaroon ng relationship na ganitokatagal, eh. Sabi ko, ‘Ay, wala ’to. Hindi ’tomagiging solid. Pero ngayon, hindi ko ma-imagine na mawala na lang nang ganu’n inthe future, totally makakalimutan ko ’yunggirls.”<div> </div>						Of course, that’s not going to happen anytime soon. With BINI’s big plans for the nextyear and beyond, they still have a lot to achieveas a group.<div> </div>Gwen shares, “Sana by 2025, makapag-concert ulitkami sa ibang bansa and marami ulitkaming mapuntahan. Kasi sa ngayon,’yung ibang lugar sa Pilipinas hindi pa rinnamin napuntahan. Ako nga, hindi pa akonakakapunta sa lugar ko. ’Yung province kona Bicol hindi ko pa napuntahan ulit. Gustoko makapunta kami and makapag-showkami du’n.”<div> </div>						Surely, in time, Gwen and the rest of BINIwill find their way home—but, for now, home isdefinitely where the rest of the girls are.<div> </div><blockquote style="text-align:center">Ngayon, hindi ko ma-imagine na mawalana lang nang ganu’n o in the future,totally makakalimutan ko ’yung girls </blockquote><div style="text-align:center"> </div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/70c5366e-854d-4c36-abbf-848fc97436f1_metro-bini-cover_digital_gwen.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="BINI Gwen Apuli"/>BINI Gwen Apuli<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"> Photography by BJ Pascual </div><div>Related Story: <a href="/people/digital-covers/8-rules-of-the-bini-sisterhood/39236" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The 8 Rules of the BINI Sisterhood, Straight From the Nation&#x27;s Girl Group</a></div><div> </div>Photographer: BJ PascualMetro Head: Christina N. LopezSittings Editors: Geolette Esguerra and Grace Libero-CruzBeauty Direction: Kate Paras-SantiagoStyling: Randz Manucom and Carla BuyoCreative Director: Eugene DavidArt Director: Raff ColmenarEditorial Assistant: Tim MarasiganMakeup Artists: Theresa Padin, Carell Garcia, Julius Cabanisas, Angelina TanHairstylists: MJ Rone and July VitoVideo Producer: Jose Mari SantiagoFashion Films by Andrey Dulalia of Tidal Studios (Tidal Studios Team: ER Cruz, Erika Ducusin, Raymond Cabalhin, Chan Sayson, Mhil Dela Paz, Joseph Generalo, Leeward Cabacungan)Interview Videos by Spotlight Creatives (Dolly Hernandez, Aaron Ongkingko, Justine Alain Capiral, Paul Siloterio, and Emmanuel Oquendo)Set Design: Aren Dale Santos of AdSetInterviews by Alex Cruz, Elaine Carag, Nina Laoang, and Moira MacainagShoot Assistant: Elise GaraldéPhotographer Assistants: Richard Detita, Ruel Estrellis, Abel Santos, Jilmer Carlos, Sam Orete, Iggy EstacioFashion Assistants: Syra Garcia, April Lozada, Teresita GabatMakeup Artist Assistants: Edison Matubang, Jen Arciaga, Juliet VillarubiaPress-on Nails: Catrina Buyo, Isabella Ico, and Georgina Palad of ManéLa Press-on NailsNail Technicians: Cath Balingasa, Jennifer Pascual, and Russel Gaboco of Triple Luck Brow &amp; Nail SalonShot on location at Marquis Events PlaceSpecial thanks to Laurenti M. Dyogi, Joanna Santos, MQ Mallari, Alan Real, Ron Faina, Maan Manauis, James Arellano, and Kram dela Cruz of Star Magic/BINI Management; Jeanger Navarro, Francesca Santiago, and Lira Calimlim of Louis Vuitton Philippines; Ogie Rodriguez; and Pazu<div> </div><div>Related Story: <a href="/people/digital-covers/bini-aiah-on-metro-35th-anniversary-issue/39250" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BINI Aiah on Having Fun While Achieving Her Own Dreams and Their Group&#x27;s Goals</a></div><div>Related Story: <a href="/people/digital-covers/bini-colet-on-metro-35th-anniversary-issue/39248" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BINI Colet on Being Hyper-Focused on Performing at Her Best</a></div><div>Related Story: <a href="/people/digital-covers/bini-maloi-on-metro-35th-anniversary-issue/39252" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BINI Maloi on Soldiering on Despite the Ups and Downs of Being in the Spotlight</a></div><div>Related Story: <a href="/people/digital-covers/bini-stacey-on-metro-35th-anniversary-issue/39246" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BINI Stacey on Being a Tough Cookie and Keeping the Group&#x27;s Bond Strong</a></div><div>Related Story: <a href="/people/digital-covers/bini-mikha-on-metro-35th-anniversary-issue/39253" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BINI Mikha on Staying Calm and Cool Under Pressure</a></div><div>Related Story: <a href="/people/digital-covers/bini-jhoanna-metro-35th-anniversary-issue/39249" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BINI Jhoanna on Staying Grounded and Aiming for Versatility</a></div><div>Related Story: <a href="/people/digital-covers/bini-sheena-on-metro-35th-anniversary-issue/39247" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BINI Sheena on Protecting Her and Their Group&#x27;s Peace</a></div><div>Related Story: <a href="/people/digital-covers/p-pop-girl-group-bini-on-the-cover-of-metro/33265" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BINI: A Phenomenal Year With The Nation’s P-Pop Girl Group</a></div>