BINI, GAT’s Ethan, Castro ‘take full accountability’ for viral video
(From left) BINI’s Jhoanna, Stacey, and Colet, GAT’s Ethan David, and Shawn Castro. Images: X/@bini_ph, @VivaArtists_, Instagram/@shawncastrooo
BINI, GAT’s Ethan David, and internet personality Shawn Castro said they will take “full accountability” for the controversial video involving some of the girl group’s members, Ethan, and Castro, where they appealed for a chance to “reflect and learn” from the incident.
BINI’s Jhoanna, Colet, and Stacey, as well as Ethan and Shawn, bear the brunt of backlash after a video of them allegedly making sexual remarks involving a “13-year-old” named Ashley. That went viral as well as Ethan and Shawn making suggestive movements.
The source of the video remains unknown, as well as the identity of the person who leaked it on social media, as of this writing.
Shortly after the video went viral, BINI’s social media platforms addressed the video in an official statement on Thursday, May 8, where they apologized for the controversy. It was also noted that Jhoanna, Colet, and Stacey’s names were on top, while their other bandmates were at the bottom.
“We know that the past couple of days have been triggering and disappointing for all of you. Sincerely, we understand where all of those feelings are coming from,” the statement began.
Regarding the video, the girl group said it was meant to be a “private moment” between friends, adding that they have no excuse for their “actions and choice of words.”
“The video shows a private moment of us with friends. We definitely did not intend to hurt anyone in the process. We offer no excuse for our actions, reactions, and choice of words. We take full accountability. Nagkamali kami (We made a mistake),” they said.
— BINI_PH (@BINI_ph) May 8, 2025
BINI then extended an apology to their fans (known as Blooms), friends, and family for the controversy. The group also hoped that they would be given a chance to reflect and “work on becoming better versions” of themselves.
“We humbly ask for a chance to reflect on and learn from our mistakes and continue to work on becoming better versions of ourselves,” they said. “Maraming salamat po sa inyong malasakit, suporta, at pang-unawa (Thank you very much for your concern, support, and understanding).”
Ethan and Shawn follow suit
Ethan, on the other hand, addressed the suggestive actions and remarks he made in the video, saying he “fully understood how offensive” it appeared to the public.
“Humihingi po ako ng kapatawaran sa mga nasaktan at nadisappoint sa akin. Nais ko pong ipahayag na malaki po ang respeto ko sa lahat ng mga tao lalong lalo na sa kababaihan, at anumang napakita kong kamalian sa kumalat na video ay hindi po sumasalamin sa mga pinahahalagahan ko bilang tao. Hinding hindi po ito mauulit,” he said.
(I ask for forgiveness from those who were hurt and disappointed by me. I want to state that I have a huge respect for everyone, especially women, and what I’ve shown in the video doesn’t reflect who I value as a person. This won’t happen again.)
Statement of ETHAN DAVID. pic.twitter.com/dDt3Ah8GPc
— Viva Artists Agency (@VivaArtists_) May 8, 2025
The GAT member said that he promised to “educate” himself on the incident and improve his behavior.
“Once again, I sincerely apologize for what happened. I also want to thank everyone for pointing out the ways I can improve. I promise to take the time to educate myself about my behavior and further reflect on my character, in order to learn from this incident and to become a more sensitive, respectful, and mature person,” he added.
Meanwhile, Shawn took to his Instagram Story to clarify that “no minor, or anyone” was “hurt physically, mentally, sexually, or in any manner.” He also reiterated that the video was “taken out of context.”
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@shawncastrooo
“Inaamin po namin na mali kami in so many ways with that joke. Masyado po kaming naging komportable at masaya sa mga ginagawa [o] sinasabi namin. Hindi po magandang biro ‘yun, especially sa kung pano siya nakita sa nasabing video,” he said.
(We admit that we’re wrong in so many ways with that joke. We became too comfortable and happy with what we did and said. It was not a good joke, especially with how it was shown in the video itself.) /MR
