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BINI Mikha on Staying Calm and Cool Under Pressure

'I don't really like talking about being famous... I feel like we still have a long way to go,' Mikha Lim says, reflecting how humility is indeed a key to greatness

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Elaine Carag-Calderon

Effortlessly cool, intimidatingly nonchalant—that’s how Mikha Lim comes across at firstglance. If the red hair doesn’t catch your attention, theintense gaze surely will. Once she starts spitting herlines and hitting those beats, though, the group’s mainrapper and lead dancer transforms her steady presenceinto a calm confidence that makes her such a compellingand intriguing part of BINI’s dynamic. Once offstage,the 21-year-old switches off and goes back to her usualchill self.<div> </div>						“I start my day, if I wake up early, I’m going to doskincare or cuddle my cat,” she shares. [Then], I justcheck my phone for work messages. It’s a routine, it’salways like that; but if it’s a free day, it depends. MaybeI want to do badminton, volleyball, [maybe] go caféhopping or something.”<div> </div>						These days, BINI’s unrelenting schedule doesn’tleave much room for other pursuits; however, Mikhastill tries to make time to maintain a sense of normalcyin her daily life—if only to keep her passion burningfor her craft. “Obviously, it’s very challenging. Being aperformer, you have to do other things, too,” she says.“So I have to find ways because it’s hard to do and tokeep up with it mentally and physically.” <div> </div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/0d30565b-dca3-4caf-b887-da336693eb42_metro_bini_mikha (1).jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="BINI Mikha on Metro"/>On MIKHA: LV Spark Beanie in Rose Clair, Ribbed Crop Top, LV Flowergram Ring, 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>“Having good friends outside the work circle is verynice,” she says. “They just make you forget about work—like you’re just normal Mikha, not really anyone else butjust a normal human being ’cause that’s just how youwant to be treated.” Mikha credits having a solid familyto come home to, whether it’s her immediate family inBicol and the US or her fellow BINI members.<div> </div>						“There would be moments when we would justhang out and have wholesome moments, and I would realize that BINI made my childhood,” she muses. “BINIwas my teenage years—the training, the experiences. Igrew the most being with BINI, and I feel like it’s alwaysgoing to be forever because it’s like we grew up together.We’ll always have the bond and that connection.”<div> </div>						At the core of Mikha’s appeal is this soft vulnerabilityand unapologetic authenticity, the way she embracesher individuality without forcing herself into anymold. Not only does this endear her to Blooms, but it’salso solidified her place as a distinct and memorablemember of BINI. For Mikha, being cool isn’t an act—it’ssimply who she is.		<div> </div><blockquote style="text-align:center">	BINI was my teenage years—the training, theexperiences. I grew the most being with BINI,and I feel like it’s always going to be foreverbecause it’s like we grew up together </blockquote><div> </div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/ed184502-7401-4b86-8c6d-f844f357a8e8_metro-bini-cover_digital_mikha.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="BINI Mikha on Metro"/>BINI Mikha Lim<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-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-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>