BINI, GAT's Ethan David, and internet personality Shawn Castro have all expressed that they will take “full accountability” for the viral video involving some members of BINI, Ethan, and Castro. In a joint statement, they have called for a chance to reflect and learn from the incident that has generated significant controversy.

(From left) BINI’s Jhoanna, Stacey, and Colet, GAT’s Ethan David, and Shawn Castro. Images: X/@bini_ph, @VivaArtists_, Instagram/@shawncastrooo

The video, which involved BINI's Jhoanna, Colet, and Stacey, alongside Ethan and Shawn, quickly became the center of backlash after it allegedly showed them making inappropriate remarks about a “13-year-old” named Ashley. Additionally, Ethan and Shawn were seen engaging in suggestive movements. The video went viral, further intensifying the criticism, though the origin of the video and the identity of the person who leaked it remain unknown at the time of writing.

After the video spread across social media, BINI took to their platforms on May 8 to release an official statement. They issued a formal apology for the controversy and expressed deep regret for their actions. The statement emphasized that Jhoanna, Colet, and Stacey were prominently mentioned in the apology, while the other members were referenced in a secondary context.

“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.

The girl group explained that the video was never intended to be seen by the public, describing it as a “private moment” among friends. However, they admitted that there were no excuses for their behavior and the words they used. They acknowledged their responsibility for the incident and expressed genuine regret for the hurt caused.

“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. We made a mistake,” the group stated.

In their apology, BINI extended heartfelt apologies to their fans, referred to as Blooms, as well as their friends and family, acknowledging the discomfort the situation caused. They asked for the opportunity to reflect on their actions and hoped to improve as individuals.

“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 added. “Thank you very much for your concern, support, and understanding.”

Ethan and Shawn follow suit

Ethan, who was also involved in the controversy due to the suggestive actions in the video, publicly addressed the matter. He expressed his understanding of how offensive his actions were and offered a sincere apology to those affected.

“I apologize to those who were hurt and disappointed. I want to state that I have great respect for all people, especially women, and any mistakes I have made in the video that went viral do not reflect my values as a person. It will never happen again,” Ethan said.

The GAT member also promised to educate himself on the incident and make efforts to improve his behavior moving forward. He committed to using the experience as a learning opportunity for personal growth.

“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 continued.

Meanwhile, Shawn Castro addressed the situation on his Instagram Story, clarifying that no one, especially any minors, had been hurt physically, mentally, or sexually. He also stressed that the video had been “taken out of context” and reiterated his apology for the inappropriate joke.

Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@shawncastrooo

“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,” Shawn confessed.

In his statement, Shawn acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and took responsibility for his actions. The message conveyed a clear desire to learn from the mistake and move forward with greater awareness and sensitivity.

The incident has highlighted the importance of accountability in the digital age, where private moments can quickly become public, often with unintended consequences. BINI, along with Ethan and Shawn, have all expressed their deep regret for the incident, and they have promised to take steps to reflect on their behavior and avoid similar mistakes in the future.

While the video was originally meant to be a private exchange, its viral spread has had a lasting impact, and the individuals involved are now taking responsibility for their actions. The public apology from both BINI and Ethan, as well as Shawn, shows a commitment to learning from this experience and improving as individuals and public figures.

As the controversy continues to unfold, many are watching closely to see how the parties involved will handle the aftermath and what lessons will be learned. For now, the focus remains on the need for personal growth, respect, and greater awareness of how one’s actions can affect others.