Colet (singer)
Colet | |
---|---|
![]() Colet in October 2024 | |
Born | Ma. Nicolette Florenosos Vergara September 14, 2001 Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines |
Alma mater | Japan Philippine Institute of Technology[1] |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2020–present |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instruments | Vocals |
Labels | Star Music |
Member of | Bini |
Ma. Nicolette Florenosos Vergara (born September 14, 2001), professionally known as Colet, is a Filipino singer, songwriter, dancer, and rapper under Star Magic. She is one of the main vocalists, lead dancers, and lead rappers of the Filipino girl group Bini.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Ma. Nicolette Florenosos Vergara was born on September 14, 2001,[3][4] in Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines to Arnulfo and Maria Regina Vergara.[5] She came from a family of eight siblings.[6] Her father was also a singer and drummer.[7] Colet participated in her school's singing groups and in singing competitions. She also joined her school's dance group and competed in inter-school dance competitions.[6] In eighth grade, she wrote the lyrics to what subsequently became their single "8" in 2021, which was initially conceived as a graduation song.[8] She studied at Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School, where she chose the Special Program for the Arts (SPA) curriculum. She majored in vocals and was trained in singing under the SPA.[4]
She completed senior high school at the Japan Philippine Institute of Technology in Bulacan as a scholar, where she graduated along with fellow Bini member Maloi in 2024.[9] As of 2025, Colet is studying communications at Thames International School.[a][11]
Career
[edit]2018–2020: Early career and TV show auditions
[edit]In high school, Colet was accepted as a contestant for the Tawag ng Tanghalan singing competition segment of the ABS-CBN variety show It's Showtime but was unable to compete due to conflicts with her schooling. Following a failed audition for Pinoy Big Brother: Otso in Bohol,[8] Colet auditioned for Star Hunt Academy in Bohol in 2018[12] and was selected as a trainee in early 2019.[13]
2021–present: Bini debut, solo ventures
[edit]During the early stages of her training with Bini, Colet faced challenges in interacting with other members due to a language barrier, as Cebuano (Bisaya) is her first language. She has mentioned that she often declines solo interview requests because she finds it difficult to speak Tagalog.[14][15]
On October 10, 2020, Colet was one of the last eight members of the Star Hunt Academy Girl Trainees to graduate from the academy and was officially announced as a member of an idol group.[16] In November 2020, Colet officially became a member of the Filipino girl group Bini,[17] which officially debuted on June 11, 2021.[18] In an article published on September 26, 2022, Hans Ethan Carbonilla of the Philippine magazine Parcinq lauded Colet's singing skills. He wrote, "Maybe if we had that kind of vocal ability, we wouldn't shut up. But then again, some people like Colet were naturally born to be a star."[19]
In June 2024, Colet's vocals were featured on the song "Kalma Kahit Magulo" (transl. Calm Despite Turmoil), alongside fellow Bini member Jhoanna, as well as Juan Karlos Labajo. The track is part of the official soundtrack for the Philippine mystery drama series High Street.[20] In July, Colet was interviewed by Melai Cantiveros on the talk show Kuan on One,[b] where Colet also performed her unreleased original composition in Cebuano.[14] In September, she appeared on an episode of It's Showtime's Kalokalike contest for celebrity lookalikes and met her impersonator.[21]
On February 2, 2025, Colet performed the Visayan pop song "Puhon" (transl. Someday) with singer-songwriter TJ Monterde at his Sarili Nating Mundo (transl. Our Own World) concert at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.[22] Writing for the American magazine Positively Filipino, Julienne Loreto observed that Colet "showed off her signature high notes" while the screen behind her and Monterde displayed the song's Cebuano lyrics, paired with Tagalog subtitles. Additionally, they credited Colet (along with Aiah) for increasing the general public's interest in the Cebuano language.[23] Similarly, a research paper published in 2024 recognized Colet as a celebrity who provided representation for Visayans and Cebuano speakers in the media.[24]
She appeared in a dramatization of fellow Bini member Sheena's life story in the anthology series Maalaala Mo Kaya (transl. Would You Remember), which premiered on May 1.[25]
She is credited as a co-writer on the Bini songs "Golden Arrow",[26] "Kinikilig" (transl. Smitten)[27], and "Karera" (transl. Race).[28] She is also the sole writer of her original composition "8".[14]
Other ventures
[edit]Colet has franchised a food business called Egg Cloud in Bohol.[29]
Discography
[edit]Title | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"Kalma Kahit Magulo" (with Jhoanna Robles and Juan Karlos Labajo) | 2024 | High Street Original Soundtrack |
Songwriting credits
[edit]Credits are adapted from Apple Music,[26][27][28] unless otherwise stated.[14]
Title | Year | Artist | Album | Composer | Lyricist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
"Golden Arrow" | 2021 | Bini | Born to Win | ![]() |
![]() |
"8" | ![]() |
![]() | |||
"Kinikilig" | ![]() |
![]() | |||
"Karera" | 2023 | Talaarawan | ![]() |
![]() |
Filmography
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Kuan on One | Herself | Guest | [14] |
It's Showtime Kalokalike: Phase 4 | Herself | Guest | [21] | |
2025 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Herself | Special participation | [25] |
Awards and nominations
[edit]On July 1, 2024, the local government of Tagbilaran awarded Colet with a plaque of recognition for her dedication to music. They credited her musical career for inspiring pride and admiration among the residents of the city. Her parents received the plaque on her behalf, as she was in Manila at the time due to work schedules.[5]
Notes
[edit]- ^ This refers to a school in Quezon City, Philippines, not the Thames International College found in Nepal.[10]
- ^ Translation note: the title is a play on the Cebuano word kuan and the English phrase "one on one"
References
[edit]- ^ Felipe, MJ (June 7, 2024). "BGYO, BINI members graduate from senior high school". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ BINI PH (December 28, 2020). The BINI Chronicles Part 1 (in Tagalog and English). Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Bautista, Rafael (January 27, 2025). "We Have A Feeling These Young Stars Born On The Year Of The Snake Have Luck On Their Side This 2025". Nylon Manila. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025.
- ^ a b "Colet: the Multifaceted Gem of Bini". The Bohol Chronicle. Bohol Chronicle Radio Corporation. January 19, 2025. p. 9. Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025 – via Facebook.
- ^ a b dela Roca, Patricia (July 3, 2024). "Bohol's pride: BINI Colet gets recognition from Tagbilaran City". Latest Chika. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ a b ABS-CBN Star Hunt (October 22, 2019). I AM COLET | STAR HUNT ACADEMY TRAINEE. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Ngojo, Jessa (June 13, 2024). "Meet the BINI Bisdak beauties". Cebu Daily News. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ a b dela Cruz, Liezel (July 27, 2024). "Colet reveals the key to BINI's solid bond and unstoppable chemistry". ABS-CBN Entertainment. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ Geli, Bianca (June 8, 2024). "BINI's Colet and Maloi graduate from senior high school". GMA Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 16, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Thames - About". Thames International. Archived from the original on April 19, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Thames International [@thamesintlasia] (April 17, 2025). "A good education is a gift that not everybody attains in their lifetime. For us in the showbiz industry, it can be difficult because we need to make extra effort to attend school even with a calendar that's full of work schedules" – via Instagram.
- ^ Direk Lauren Dyogi (October 22, 2020). Kilalanin ang Starhunt Academy Girls! | Get to Know the Starhunt Academy Girls. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Bardinas, Mary Ann (August 9, 2020). "Star Hunt Academy set to make more P-pop idols shine worldwide". ABS-CBN Entertainment. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Romariz, Kurt (July 26, 2024). "BINI Colet serenades Bisaya fans: 'Laban lang pirmi'". Cebu Daily News. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ^ Custodio, Bianca (October 28, 2024). "BINI's Colet Vergara Takes Challenges Head On". Vogue Philippines. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ Adriano, Pamela (October 11, 2020). "Star Hunt Academy girl trainees graduate, set to blaze P-pop trail". ABS-CBN Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Star Hunt Academy launches all-girl Pinoy Pop group Bini". Daily Tribune. November 9, 2020. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Get ready, Bloom: BINI is finally set for debut". ABS-CBN News. May 11, 2021. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ Carbonilla, Hans Ethan. "Feeling Fantastic with BINI's Newest Groove, I Feel Good". Parcinq.
- ^ "'High Street" releases OST". ABS-CBN News. June 10, 2024. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ a b "BINI Colet, sinorpresa ang kaniyang KalokaLike sa It's Showtime!" [BINI Colet surprised her KalokaLike on It's Showtime!]. ABS-CBN Entertainment (in Tagalog). September 28, 2024.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Deala, Joanna (February 3, 2025). "Different types of love felt on Day 2 of Tj Monterde's 'Sarili Nating Mundo' concert". Republic Asia. Archived from the original on February 4, 2025.
- ^ Loreto, Julienne (March 19, 2025). "Visayan Pop Music's Rise and Stall". Positively Filipino. Archived from the original on April 30, 2025. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ Elfa, Mikaella Rianne; Guevarra, Juliana Krishna; Solano, Abbygail. "AmBEAT sa Imo!: Wika at Kultura sa mga Awiting Visayas (VisPop)" [Whatever!: Language and Culture in Visayan Songs (VisPop)]. Katipunan (in Tagalog). 12 (1). Archīum Ateneo. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ a b Evangelista, Jessica Ann (April 30, 2025). "BINI Sheena makes acting debut in 'MMK' episode featuring her life story". The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on May 2, 2025.
- ^ a b "Golden Arrow – song by BINI". Apple Music. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ a b "Kinikilig – song by BINI". Apple Music. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ a b "Karera – song by BINI". Apple Music. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ Mendoza, Ralph (April 24, 2024). "'Walo hanggang dulo:' Sino-sino ang mga binibini ng BINI?". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on December 25, 2024. Retrieved December 25, 2024.