Gwen (Filipino singer)

Last updated

Gwen
Gwen Apuli in September 2025.jpg
Gwen in September 2025
Born
Gweneth Llaguno Apuli

(2003-06-19) June 19, 2003 (age 22)
Daraga, Albay, Philippines
Alma materJapan-Philippines Institute of Technology
Occupations
  • Singer
  • performer
  • model
Years active2020–present
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentsVocals
Labels Star
Member of Bini

Gweneth Llaguno Apuli (born June 19, 2003), known mononymously as Gwen, is a Filipino singer, performer, and model. She started out as a model in her home province, Albay. She won first runner-up in the Mr. and Ms. Teen Pacific Heartthrob beauty pageant in 2019. She joined the reality competition show Pinoy Big Brother: Otso on April 7. Her stint lasted until May 5. On June 11, 2021, she debuted as one of the lead vocalists and lead rappers of the Filipino girl group Bini.

Contents

Gwen was included in the original soundtrack for the 2024 Filipino romantic comedy series What's Wrong with Secretary Kim . On August 29, 2025, she was also interviewed by Ogie Diaz in an episode of Ogie Diaz Inspires. Since 2024, she has gained significant media recognition for her makeup content.

Early life and education

Gweneth Llaguno Apuli [1] was born on June 19, 2003, [2] in Daraga, Albay, Philippines. [3] Gwen has four brothers and is the youngest of five siblings. [2] Her father died when she was four, leaving her and her siblings under the care of her mother, [4] Malou. [5] According to her friend, actress Barbie Imperial, Gwen grew up in poverty. [6]

Career

2022 and prior: Beginnings, Pinoy Big Brother, Bini debut

Before joining the reality competition show Pinoy Big Brother (PBB), Gwen modeled in Albay. [7] She was the first runner-up in the Mr. and Ms. Teen Pacific Heartthrob beauty pageant in 2019. [2] On April 7, 2019, Gwen was announced as one of the Star Dreamers in PBB's eighth season, titled Pinoy Big Brother: Otso (lit. 'Eight'). The show introduced her as the "Beautiful Bunso-weetie ng Albay". [a] [8] The Dreamers were a group of teenage contestants who stayed in a smaller house than the main one occupied by the official housemates. They only appeared in the afternoon broadcast, not in the primetime episodes. On April 13, however, PBB announced that all of the Dreamers would become official housemates and move into the main house. [9]

Gwen was eliminated from the show on May 5. [10] Shortly after her exit from PBB, Lauren Dyogi recruited her for ABS-CBN's Star Hunt Academy Program. She trained to become a P-pop idol with the other members of Bini. The group signed a contract with Star Magic in 2021. [11] On June 11, Bini officially debuted with "Born to Win", with Gwen as one of the group's lead vocalists and lead rappers. [2]

2023–present: Growing recognition

Gwen sang "Here With You" with Maloi for the soundtrack of the 2024 Philippine romantic comedy series What's Wrong with Secretary Kim . [12] On August 29, 2025, she was interviewed by Ogie Diaz on his digital talk show Ogie Diaz Inspires. [13]

Since 2024, she has also been gaining considerable media coverage for her "remarkable" makeup skills. In May, she started the "Salamin, Salamin" (lit. 'Mirror, Mirror') makeup trend on TikTok, which reportedly accumulated more than 37 million views (at the time of writing). [14] In October, she uploaded a video of herself applying a makeup look as Pennywise, the evil clown from the 2017 horror film It . The clip earned 10.3 million views (at the time of writing). [15] In February 2025, she participated in the "Latina makeup" challenge on TikTok. The Daily Tribune 's Ann Jenireene Gomez praised Gwen's ability to "effortlessly slay any beauty trend". [16]

Media image

Various publications have recognized Gwen for her distinctive fashion sense. In March 2023, Gwen appeared on the cover of Philippine magazine Parcinq, where her outfit described as "Black symbolizes death, darkness, and the mysteries of the universe". [17]

In April 2024, she was listed in Mega Magazine's Best Dressed List at ABS-CBN Grand Ball 2025. [18] The same month, When In Manila described her look as "high fashion to the red carpet". [19] In October 2024, Vogue Philippines featured Gwen in a "60's mod-inspired" photoshoot. Vogue writer Bianca Custodio noting that "the girls take a break from their usual image, donning bobbed wigs of varying shapes and cuts." [7]

Discography

As lead artist

List of singles, showing year released and associated albums
TitleYearAlbumRef
"Here With You" (with Maloi Ricalde)2024 What's Wrong with Secretary Kim Original Soundtrack [12]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2019 Pinoy Big Brother: Otso Herself— [9] [10]
2025 Maalaala Mo Kaya Special participation [20]

Online/digital

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2025 Ogie Diaz Inspires Herself— [13]

Notes

  1. ↑ Translation notes: "Beautiful Bunso-weetie of Albay". In Tagalog, "bunso" refers to the youngest child among siblings. "Bunso-weetie" is a play on the words "bunso" and "sweetie".

References

  1. ↑ Bravo, Frances Karmel S. (May 8, 2025). "Bini members Jhoanna, Gwen graduate from senior high school". Philippine Entertainment Portal . Archived from the original on September 7, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Jose, Nica (February 23, 2024). "Bini: The binibinis of P-Pop in full bloom". Philippine Entertainment Portal . Archived from the original on June 17, 2024.
  3. ↑ Medel, Meryl (December 3, 2020). "Get to Know the Ladies of Newest P-pop Girl Group Bini". 8List. Archived from the original on December 8, 2024.
  4. ↑ Valdez, Jasper (September 1, 2025). "Bini's Gwen proud to provide for family through music career". Manila Standard . Archived from the original on September 7, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  5. ↑ Iglesias, Iza (July 19, 2025). "Bini Gwen's mom to pursue legal action over online attacks". The Manila Times . Archived from the original on September 7, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025– via MSN.
  6. ↑ Songco, Pauline (August 15, 2025). "Bini Gwen and Barbie Imperial's friendship". Daily Tribune . Archived from the original on September 7, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Custodio, Bianca (May 7, 2019). "Bini's Gwen Apuli Is Trusting the Process and Reaping the Rewards". Vogue Philippines . Archived from the original on October 28, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  8. ↑ Ching, Mark Angelo (April 9, 2019). "Meet PBB Otso Teens Batch 2 housemates". Philippine Entertainment Portal . Archived from the original on September 9, 2025. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Ching, Mark Angelo (April 16, 2019). "PBB Otso Update: Eight teen Star Dreamers become official housemates". Philippine Entertainment Portal . Archived from the original on September 7, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  10. 1 2 Ching, Mark Angelo (May 7, 2019). "PBB Otso Update: Triple eviction removes Alfred Beruzil, Gwen Apuli, and Jem Macatuno". Philippine Entertainment Portal . Archived from the original on September 7, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  11. ↑ Tonelada, Rachelle (July 3, 2024). "Here's A Timeline of Bini's Phenomenal Journey to Stardom". Cosmopolitan Philippines . Archived from the original on September 7, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  12. 1 2 "Here With You by Gwen Apuli, Maloi Ricalde". Apple Music (PH). Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  13. 1 2 Uson, Melanie (August 30, 2025). "Bini Gwen Addresses Bashing Over 'Turon Without Sugar' Comment in Viral Street Food Video". Philstar Life. The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  14. ↑ Evangelista, Jessica Ann (October 2, 2024). "Watch: Bini Gwen Wows with Advance Halloween Transformation". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  15. ↑ Villanueva, Angelica (October 3, 2024). "Bini Gwen transforms into Pennywise in a new makeup challenge". Manila Standard . Archived from the original on October 3, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  16. ↑ Gomez, Ann Jenireene (February 7, 2025). "Filipina beauties take over TikTok's Latina Makeup trend". Daily Tribune . Archived from the original on September 7, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  17. ↑ "#ParcinqFashion: A Raven's Vision Featuring Gwen Apuli". Pacinq. March 18, 2023. Archived from the original on August 9, 2025. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  18. ↑ Castelo III, Sean (March 4, 2025). "10 Best Dressed Women at the ABS-CBN Ball 2025". Mega. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  19. ↑ Caoile, Gizelle (March 4, 2025). "What Bini Wore: A Closer Look at the Stunning Ensembles of Bini at the ABS-CBN Ball 2025 – When In Manila". When In Manila . Archived from the original on May 29, 2025. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  20. ↑ Evangelista, Jessica Ann (April 30, 2025). "Bini Sheena Makes Acting Debut in 'MMK' Episode Featuring Her Life Story". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Archived from the original on May 14, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.

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