In this Filipino name, the middle name or maternal family name is Llaguno and the surname or paternal family name is Apuli.

Gwen
Gwen at the Ibalong Festival in September 2025
Born
Gweneth Llaguno Apuli

(2003-06-19) June 19, 2003 (age 22)
Daraga, Albay, Philippines
Alma mater Japan-Philippines Institute of Technology
Occupations
  • Singer
  • performer
  • model
Years active 2020–present
Musical career
Genres
  • P-pop
  • bubblegum pop
  • teen pop
  • EDM
Instruments Vocals
Label Star Music
Member of Bini

Gweneth Llaguno Apuli (born June 19, 2003), known mononymously as Gwen, is a Filipino singer, rapper, dancer, and model. She began her career in modeling in her home province of Albay, where she first attracted attention in the Mr. and Ms. Teen Pacific Heartthrob beauty pageant in 2019. That same year, she joined the reality competition show Pinoy Big Brother: Otso.

Following her television appearance, she debuted in 2021 as one of the lead vocalists and lead rappers of the Filipino girl group Bini. She has since contributed to the original soundtrack for the 2024 Filipino romantic comedy series What's Wrong with Secretary Kim and received media coverage for her makeup content. In 2025, she was featured in an interview on Ogie Diaz Inspires.

Life and career

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 and attended voice workshops during her childhood.[6][7] She graduated high school in 2025 from the Japan-Philippines Institute of Technology.[1]

Before joining the reality competition show Pinoy Big Brother (PBB), Gwen modeled in Albay.[8] 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][9] 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.[10]

Gwen was eliminated from the show on May 5.[11] 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.[12] On June 11, Bini officially debuted with "Born to Win", with Gwen as one of the group's lead vocalists and lead rappers.[2]

Gwen posed for a gothic-themed fashion editorial in the Filipino magazine Parcinq, published on March 18, 2023.[13] Gwen sang "Here With You" with Maloi for the soundtrack of the 2024 Philippine romantic comedy series What's Wrong with Secretary Kim.[14] On August 29, 2025, she was interviewed by Ogie Diaz on his digital talk show Ogie Diaz Inspires.[15] In October, Gwen starred as an audio archivist in the music video for the song "Wasak Na Puso" (lit. 'Shattered Heart') by Six Part Invention.[16]

Gwen in August 2024

Since 2024, she has also received considerable media coverage for her makeup skills. She started the "Salamin, Salamin" (lit. 'Mirror, Mirror') makeup trend on TikTok in May[17] and uploaded a video of herself in October applying a makeup look as Pennywise, the antagonist of the 2017 horror film It.[18] 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".[19] In October 2025, Gwen posed for a horror-themed photoshoot for Halloween where she did her own hair and styling. In November, the British online magazine &Asian recognized Gwen for her artistry with makeup.[20]

In January 2026, Gwen and fellow Bini member Maloi were nominated for TikTok Face of the Year at the VP Choice Awards.[21]

Media image

Gwen requested that fans not knock on her door to ask for photos in August 2024.[22] Following this incident, Lea Salonga criticised the fans responsible.[23] That October, writer Bianca Custodio observed that Gwen's modeling background was evident in the way she carried herself on the set of her photoshoot with Vogue Philippines. She also identified a bob cut as Gwen's trademark hairstyle.[8] On October 31, 2025, Love at First Spike star Bong Gonzales dressed up as Gwen for Halloween. According to &Asian's Julienne Loreto, this was evidence of Gwen's growing media presence.[24]

After Bini sampled Filipino street food on the People vs. Food YouTube channel in July 2025, she went viral after claiming that she preferred eating turon, one of the country's most beloved street foods, without sugar.[25] The dish comprises thinly sliced bananas wrapped in spring roll wrappers, typically covered in sugar. Jhon Oliver Nery [Wikidata] of Manila Bulletin's Agriculture Monthly explained that sugarless turon embodies the cultural history of the singer's home province of Bicol.[25]

Discography

For Gwen's discography with Bini, see Bini discography.

As lead artist

List of singles, showing year released and associated albums
Title Year Album Ref
"Here With You" (with Maloi Ricalde) 2024 What's Wrong with Secretary Kim Original Soundtrack [14]

Filmography

For Gwen's filmography with Bini, see Bini videography.

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2019 Pinoy Big Brother: Otso Herself — [10][11]
2025 Maalaala Mo Kaya Special participation [26]

Online/digital

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2025 Ogie Diaz Inspires Herself — [15]

Music videos

Year Title Artist Ref.
2025 "Wasak Na Puso" Six Part Invention [16]

Awards and nominations

For Bini's awards and nominations, see List of awards and nominations received by Bini.
Award Year Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
VP Choice Awards 2026 Female TikTok Face of the Year Gwen Nominated [27]

Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Billboard Philippines 2025 8 Iconic Musicians Who Came from Pinoy Big Brother Placed [27]

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. ^ a b Bravo, Frances Karmel S. (May 8, 2025). "Bini members Jhoanna, Gwen graduate from senior high school". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on May 25, 2026. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d 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. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  7. ^ Saulog, Gabriel (January 29, 2025). "Bini's Gwen On The Journey To Manifesting Her Childhood Dreams". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on March 28, 2025. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  8. ^ a b 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ a b 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.
  11. ^ a b 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "#ParcinqFashion: A Raven's Vision Featuring Gwen Apuli". Parcinq. March 18, 2023. Archived from the original on August 9, 2025. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Here With You by Gwen Apuli, Maloi Ricalde". Apple Music (PH). Archived from the original on June 9, 2026. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  15. ^ a b 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.
  16. ^ a b Go, Mayks (November 4, 2025). "Six Part Invention Release 'Wasak Na Puso' Music Video Starring Bini's Gwen – Watch". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on February 23, 2026. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ Gomez, Ann Jenireene (February 7, 2025). "Filipina Beauties Take Over TikTok's Latina Makeup Trend". Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on May 25, 2026. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  20. ^ Loreto, Julienne (November 4, 2025). "Asian Celebs Go All Out For Halloween: Some Of Our Favourites!". &Asian. Archived from the original on November 4, 2025. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  21. ^ Sedero, Lei Arthreo (January 22, 2026). "The 7th VP Choice Awards Complete List of Nominees". Your Guide to the Big City. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
  22. ^ Pasajol, Anne (August 14, 2024). "Bini's Gwen Laments Fans Knocking on Rooms to Ask Photo: Palala nang Palala". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 10, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  23. ^ Evangelista, Jessica Ann (August 15, 2024). "Bini Gwen gets support from Lea Salonga amid privacy concern". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  24. ^ Loreto, Julienne (November 3, 2025). "P-Pop Bites!: Your Fortnightly P-Pop News, 3rd November 2025". &Asian. Archived from the original on May 25, 2026. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
  25. ^ a b Jhon Oliver, Nery (September 15, 2025). "Yes, Bini Gwen's 'turon without the sugar' exists!". Agriculture Monthly. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ a b Saenz, Rome (August 6, 2025). "8 Iconic Musicians Who Came from 'Pinoy Big Brother'". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on December 20, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.