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BINI Maloi on Soldiering on Despite the Ups and Downs of Being in the Spotlight

Maloi Ricalde doesn't shy away from being vulnerable—it's what helps her and her fellow BINI members get through tough times with no pent-up emotions

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Elaine Carag-Calderon

If there’s one BINI member who can simply charm her way into the spotlight, it’s definitely MaloiRicalde. With her quirky aesthetic and unhinged humor,the 22-year-old Batangueña doesn’t need to do much tocatch anyone’s attention. She’s just that girl. But the group’smain vocalist is so much more than that. She is the kindof performer whose vocal prowess and dance skills aremagnified by her deep love and dedication for performing—she shines best whenever she’s onstage or in front of acamera.<div> </div>						That’s not to say she can only brighten up a room whenshe’s at work. Even off-duty, Maloi is Maloi—her fun-lovingpersonality, chaotic energy, and all—and it hasn’t changedsince Day 1.						“Hindi ko kaya if mag-pretend ako to be someone else.Hindi namin kaya,” she declares. She just knows the BINImembers would be the first ones to call each other out ifthey’re not being true to themselves. “Very open kami saisa’t-isa [even when] we have to correct each other kasi roonkami mag-grow,” she continues. “’Yung tough love parangbetter siya kaysa mag-tolerate ng mga wrongdoing.” <div> </div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/4987bd1e-e025-4da6-bd8d-6159db986385_metro_bini_maloi (1).jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/></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>Granted, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows nomatter how cheerful Maloi considers herself. Being calledout is still a tough learning experience—and it’s even morebrutal if you’re an idol and a celebrity in a chronicallyonline society. Recounting the lesson she learned aftergoing through a recent issue, “Opinions are opinions,” shesays. “It’s human nature na may masasabi at masasabisila [pero] hindi ko napigilan umiyak about it. Sa isipko, ginagawa ko ’yung best ko, work ako nang work, peroganito ’yung nasasabi sa akin ng mga tao. Hindi namannakikita sa likod ng camera ’yung process, ’yung hirapko. So I’m coping, I’m moving forward. Iniyak ko na lang nang konti kasi hindi ako p’wedeng sobrang umiyak.Ini-schedule ko.” <div> </div>And that’s how Blooms know they cantrust Maloi to learn and grow, but still keep her wits and hersense of humor about her.						So despite the ups and downs of being in the spotlight,Maloi wouldn’t change a thing. <div> </div>They say the internet isforever, but she’d choose to keep the lessons forever—nomatter the embarrassing way she learned them at the time. She says, “Wala akong babaguhin. Everything is meant to happen.It made [me] who I am right now. Every mistake or everygood thing, ’yun ’yung kumakatawan sa ako ngayon. So Iwouldn’t [change] a thing.”		<div> </div><blockquote style="text-align:center">Wala akong babaguhin. Everything is meant tohappen. It made [me] who I am right now. Everymistake or every good thing, ’yun ’yung kumakatawansa ako ngayon. So I wouldn’t [change] a thing</blockquote><div> </div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/3a5e36d0-9f82-4da5-997c-8737332bc3ea_metro-bini-cover_digital_maloi.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="BINI Maloi Ricalde"/>BINI Maloi Ricalde<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-gwen-on-metro-35th-anniversary-issue/39251" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BINI Gwen on Living Fiercely and Staying Loyal to the Group She Calls Home</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>