OPM icon Celeste Legaspi sparked discussions among netizens after she praised P-pop boy group SB19 while seemingly expressing less enthusiasm for BINI.
The veteran singer-actress shared her thoughts on the two groups when asked about her take on the state of the music industry, during an interview vlog for ‘Senior Moments with Louie Montalbo’ last May.
‘I like the SB19 a lot. They are really, really good. I’m not so crazy about the BINI kasi parang… Hindi sila masyadong… Anyway…,’ Legaspi said, opting not to continue her statement. ‘SB19-they’re really, really good. I’m so proud of them when I see them next to the Koreans.’
Legaspi also singled out SB19 member Stell whom she praised for his performance at the 70th birthday concert of OPM icon and National Artist Ryan Cayabyab in 2024. She also noted that she and the group’s leader, Pablo, are both Caviteños.
‘Ang galing galing nila (SB19). I love watching them,’ she said.
Clips from the YouTube vlog recently resurfaced on X, with fans drawing attention to the veteran actress-singer’s remark about the girl group. While some netizens acknowledged Legaspi’s personal preference, others expressed disappointment over the OPM veteran’s statement.
‘I still have respect for her as one of the pillars of OPM. So I don’t take it against her, and I disagree with the current negative sentiment against her. Iba-iba naman talaga ang preferences ng mga tao eh,’ one netizen said. ‘But for me, what her statement shows is that BINI is really the current standard for OPM. They become part of the conversation (in that case, as a point of comparison) even if they were not even initially mentioned.’
We’ve all seen the old video of Ms. Celeste Legaspi talking about BINI. Understandably, some Blooms are upset with her comments. But for me at least, I don’t mind them. I still have respect for her as one of the pillars of OPM. So I don’t take it against her, and I disagree with…
‘So ayaw niya sa Bini, period. Baka hindi talaga para sa kanya ang music ng Bini. Hindi naman talaga need na iplease lahat. Music is a personal taste,’ an X user wrote.
Okay? So ayaw niya sa Bini, period. Baka hindi talaga para sa kanya ang music ng Bini. Hindi naman talaga need na iplease lahat. Music is a personal taste. Kung fan siya ng SB19, then good for her. Di na para gamitin yang statement niya to hate on Bini. Kasi clearly she said…
‘With all due respect to Ms. Celeste Legaspi, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But comparing BINI to SB19 was so unnecessary. You didn’t have to drag them into this interview. This is so disappointing, coming from a well-respected icon in Philippine music industry,’ one netizen lamented.
With all due respect to Ms. Celeste Legaspi, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But comparing BINI to SB19 was so unnecessary. You didn’t have to drag them into this interview. This is so disappointing, coming from a well-respected icon in Philippine music industry. https://t.co/pbniiKCiCj
‘To Madam Celeste Legaspi, as an OPM fan, I have huge respect for you as one of the pillars of OPM. I also want to say that there is absolutely nothing wrong with not being into BINI’s music,’ another BINI fan wrote. ‘Yes, we are all entitled to our own choices and preferences, but being entitled to your opinion doesn’t mean you’re exempt from being respectful when expressing it.’
‘What bothered many people wasn’t simply the fact that you mentioned BINI, but the tone and expressions that came with it. It came across as though you were speaking about them with disdain, as if you were disgusted by their music or didn’t even want to acknowledge them,’ the netizen pointed out. ‘You don’t have to love BINI. You just have to respect them as fellow artists.’
To Madam Celeste Legaspi, as an OPM fan, I have huge respect for you as one of the pillars of OPM. I also want to say that there is absolutely nothing wrong with not being into BINI’s music. We, as Blooms, can respect that. It’s also completely fine for you to mention BINI in… pic.twitter.com/r4xkpdJpxP
Legaspi as well as BINI has yet to publicly address the fans’ sentiments as of this writing.