BINI’s Gwen reflects on her struggles before achieving fame
BINI member Gwen recently shared an intimate look into her life before rising to stardom, reflecting on the challenges she faced growing up and the journey that shaped her into the artist she is today.
During an interview with Ogie Diaz, Gwen recalled her humble beginnings, and related it to the viral “BINI Tries & Rates Filipino Snacks!” video which received mixed reactions from fans, with some netizens criticizing the members for their preferences. Gwen explained her side saying, “Oo, sanay talaga po ako sa turon na walang sugar. Lalo kung taga-Bicol po, mostly, hindi ko nilalahat, iba iba pa rin. Pero mostly talaga sa Bicol lumaki akong walang sugar ‘yung turon.”
She also spoke in depth about the emotional toll of growing up under public scrutiny: “Nakaka-affect po talaga siya. Lahat na nahahalungkat, na-judge ka na ng lahat ng tao. Maarte ka sa pagkain. Masakit po siya, pero feeling ko mas nasaktan ako nung naa-affect na rin ‘yung family ko, ‘yung ibang relatives ko po.”
Addressing her approach to cosmetic procedures, Gwen clarified, “Hindi naman po ako against sa mga retoke, pero sa ngayon hindi pa po talaga ako nagpaparetoke.”
Despite hardships, Gwen shared milestones she has achieved so far: “May nakuha na rin naman po akong lupa po sa Bicol. Last year, bahay at lupa po. Nakapag-support po sa family talaga at nakapag-provide for myself. ‘Yung mga utang po, nabayaran na namin.”
She also reflected on the difficulties of her early career: “Baon po kasi kami sa utang before. Lalo noong bago ako mag-PBB. Pakonti konti lang kasi hindi naman po agad sumikat ang BINI. Ginamit ko po ‘yung allowance ko po noon. Pakonti konti hanggang sa maka-recover po talaga kahit papaano.”
Gwen opened up about her family background and the struggles of growing up in a single-parent household, “Sobrang hirap po talaga ng buhay namin po as in. Kasi si Mama, single mom. Bata pa lang po ako, four years old nawala na po ‘yung Papa ko. Umasa kami sa pension tapos si Mama, nahirapan siya maghanap ng work. Kasi ‘yung work experience niya…hindi na siya pinag-work ng Papa ko eh. So nahirapan siyang maghanap ng regular work. Ang dami pa namin magkakapatid, lima po kaming lahat, bunso po ako.”
Recalling the sudden loss of her father, Gwen said, “Sobrang unexpected po kasi ‘yung pagkamatay ng Papa ko po. Nag-wo-work po siya tapos natulog, at hindi na nagising. Na-heart attack.”
She also described the poverty she experienced growing up, and what motivated her to audition for Pinoy Big Brother. “Kahirapan po talaga. Kahit nung ini-interview ako sa PBB. Kasi ‘yun po talaga ‘yung tumatak sa akin na parang, ‘yung bahay namin nakikita ko throughout the years nabubulok na. ‘Yung gate namin puwede na makapasok kahit sino. ‘Yung bubong namin sinasalo ng planggana kapag umuulan. ‘Yung ulam, si mama na-fi-feel sad siya kasi ‘yun lang ‘yung napapakain niya sa amin. ‘Yung iyak ni Mama gabi-gabi, ‘yung paglilista ni Mama ng utang sa notebook niya gabi-gabi. Kaya gusto kong umasenso po talaga kami.”
Looking toward her future, Gwen explained her efforts to manage her finances wisely: “Actually recently may mga kinakausap ako sa showbiz, alam mo ‘yun, hingi ka ng advice or kahit sa mga makeup artist, tsinitsika ko puro about investment. About sa mga experiences din nila kasi need ko ng guidance. Coming from a poor family, hindi naman kami mayaman, walang business at all so clueless ako paano ko i-handle ‘yung pera ko. Ayaw ko na po bumalik sa hirap talaga so tina-try ko po talaga ngayon na i-invest sa tama ‘yung pera ko. Ma-handle siya ng tama.”
Reflecting on her late father’s dreams for her, Gwen said, “He must be very proud of me po, kasi siya talaga ‘yung nangarap na maging artista ako.”
She also addressed rumors that have circulated online involving a member getting pregnant. “‘Hindi po totoo ‘yun,” Gwen said.
“Wala po buntis sa amin kahit isa. Wala po talaga,” Gwen said.
And regarding other misunderstandings from fans assuming she is snubbing them, she explained instances when she has an in-ear piece on and can’t hear fans calling out to her. “Mga hindi po nila alam, and hindi mo naman mai-explain pa,” Gwen said, referring to these incidents.
She also apologized to hurt fans who might have gotten the wrong impression. “Sorry po sa mga ganun ang encounter sa akin, hindi ko naman po sinasadya, hindi ko lang talaga marinig minsan.”
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