Members of the popular P-Pop girl group BINI have issued a public appeal for privacy after an incident that left them feeling uncomfortable.
Gwen Apuli, one of the group’s members, took to X (formerly Twitter) on August 14 to share her concerns about fans crossing boundaries.
Gwen recounted how some fans had gone as far as knocking on their hotel room door just to ask for photos. “Nakakalungkot, palala na [nang] palala,” she wrote, describing the situation as increasingly troubling. She emphasized the importance of respecting their personal time, adding, “I really hope everyone respects people’s privacy… kahit privacy na lang.”
I really hope everyone respect people’s privacy yung personal time we’re trying to adjust eh kase wala ganon na talaga, pero kahit privacy na lang, we appreciate your love and support and we always try na mapagbigyan kayo sa pagpapicture but pleasee… not to the point you’ll go…
— GWEN APULI (@bini_gwen) August 14, 2024
She acknowledged that while BINI members try to accommodate fan requests for photos, there should be limits. “We always try na mapagbigyan kayo sa pagpa-picture but please, not to the point you’ll go knock [on] our rooms just for a picture. Thank you.”
Fellow BINI member Aiah Arceta supported Gwen’s message by retweeting her post and expressing her own disappointment. “We genuinely care for and appreciate everyone who supports us. However, at the end of the day, tao lang din kami and need din namin ng personal time and space para makapag-recharge,” Aiah wrote.
This is what I had been talking about before.
— Aiah Arceta (@bini_aiah) August 14, 2024
She explained that respecting their space allows them to recharge and maintain a positive energy that they can share with their fans. Aiah also expressed her gratitude to fans who have been respectful, saying, “Thank you to all the blooms who are very respectful with our space and have asked nicely for a photo, the best kayo.”
Broadway icon Lea Salonga, who recently dealt with a similar issue, expressed her support for BINI’s appeal by sharing Gwen’s post on her Instagram Stories. Salonga has been a vocal advocate for respecting artists’ boundaries, particularly after an incident where she refused to take photos with fans who entered her dressing room without permission.
“SAY IT WITH ME…RESPECT BOUNDARIES!” Salonga wrote in her post, adding, “Hate me all you want for beating the drum loudly about this… but the entitlement and disrespect is just too much!” She emphasized that the members of BINI, like all artists, are human beings deserving of respect and privacy.
Salonga’s own experience, in which she defended her need for personal space despite online criticism, highlights the ongoing conversation about fan boundaries. Both BINI and Salonga continue to advocate for a balance between fan engagement and the personal privacy of artists.
