Maloi

Mary Loi Yves Kipte Ricalde (born May 27, 2002), known professionally as Maloi ( , ), is a Filipino singer, performer, and actress under Star Music. She is one of the main vocalists of the Filipino girl group Bini.

In October 2023, Maloi appeared in the music video for "RomCom" by Rob Deniel. In February 2024, she became a regular judge for '' It's Showtime'''s '' Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids'' (). She also starred in the music video for "Dilaw" () by Maki in May. In May 2025, she won Female TikTok Face of the Year at the 6th VP Choice Awards.

Since 2024, various publications — including '' Vogue Philippines'', ''Billboard Philippines'', and ''Rappler'' — have recognized a distinct fashion and lifestyle aesthetic associated with Maloi, called "Maloi-core".

Early life and education

Mary Loi Yves Ricalde was born on May 27, 2002 in Lemery, Batangas, Philippines to a family of four siblings. Her family originally lived in Lemery but moved to General Trias, Cavite. She started singing when she was three years old. In school, she participated in various extra-curricular activities, including swimming and badminton varsity teams, serving as a majorette, and joining the school chorale. She was a member of the group when it won three gold medals as the Philippines' representative to a choral competition in Malaysia in 2018.

She completed senior high school at the Japan Philippine Institute of Technology in Bulacan as a scholar, alongside fellow Bini member Colet in 2024. As of 2025, Maloi is studying communications at Thames International School.

Career

2018–2022: Early career and debut in Bini

In 2018, Maloi auditioned for ''Star Hunt Academy (SHA)'' in Laguna and was selected as a trainee in early 2019. On October 10, 2020, Maloi was one of the last eight trainees to graduate and was officially announced as a member of an idol group.

In November 2020, Maloi officially became a member of the Filipino girl group Bini, which officially debuted on June 11, 2021. Maloi wrote the rap section of Bini's 2021 song "Kinikilig" (), along with Mikha.

2023–present: Solo ventures and career expansion

In October 2023, Maloi appeared in Rob Deniel's music video for the song "RomCom", where she reenacted a scene from the Filipino romantic comedy movie ''A Very Special Love''. In February 2024, Maloi became a regular judge for '' It's Showtime'''s '' Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids''. On May 24, she starred in the music video for the song " Dilaw" () by Maki. The two portrayed high school students who form a romantic connection as they bond over art and adventure. Maloi posed for a fashion editorial published by ''Parcinq'' on March 31. In the feature, titled ''Imaginarium'', she discussed her passion for art with the magazine's Hans Ethan Carbonilla. In June, her solo Biniverse performance incorporated her paintings.

On November 30, Maloi sang "Hanggang Ngayon" () with Ogie Alcasid at the latter's concert, Ogieoke 2: Reimagined. The track was originally a duet between Alcasid and Regine Velasquez. At Maki's Manila concert in December, Maloi joined him onstage when he sang "Dilaw". He told ''The Philippine Star'', "Dilaw would not be complete if not for Maloi." Throughout 2024, major publications recognized Maloi's strong Internet presence. ''Nylon Manila'' identified her as an online "trendsetter". Likewise, ''Billboard Philippines'' recognized her as an "it girl" and "online persona". On January 29, 2025, ''Village Pipol'' unveiled Maloi as one of their nominees for the magazine's 6th VP Choice Awards (VPCA), under the category Female TikTok Face of the Year.

On February 11, Maloi performed "Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin" () with Kitchie Nadal at Nadal's gig in Marikina. On May 27, ''Billboard Philippines'' reported that Maloi created the cover artwork on Bini's upcoming single "Shagidi". On May 30, Maloi won Female TikTok Face of the Year at the VP Choice Awards.

On May 31, her fans held an event called "Everything Everywhere Maloi at Once" in Quezon City, which included Maloi-themed activities. Yzavelle Bevera, one of the organizers, told ''Rappler'', "It's everything about art and everything that she loves and everything that we love about her." The news site reported that over 800 fans were in attendance.

Other ventures

Philanthropy

In December 2024, Maloi conducted an outreach program at a children's facility in Tondo, Manila, along with her fans.

Media image

Various publications have recognized Maloi for her distinctive fashion sense. In May 2024, fashion magazine ''Preview'' and youth-oriented magazine ''Gen-Z'' both described her as a "style star". Meanwhile, ''Nylon Manila'''s Nica Glorioso described her as a "style icon" in September. Glorioso credited her for being "one of the ..pioneers" in the Philippines for a fashion trend called "Bayonetta glasses", referring to thin-framed, rectangular glasses similar to the pair often worn by the video game character after which it was named.

Roby Altura of ''Gen-Z'' wrote that Maloi's stint as a judge on ''Tawag ng Tanghalan'' established her as "the poster girl" for the coquette aesthetic. '' Vogue Philippines'' has also acknowledged the impact of Maloi's personal style in the public consciousness. ''Vogue'' writer Bianca Custodio noted in October, "Picture red Bayonetta glasses, ribbons in the hair, oversized jersey shirts paired with ankle-length skirts, and a bag covered in all kinds of charms, and you'd find it would be hard not to think of Maloi's pale pink flushed cheeks."

''Vogue'' described the aforementioned style as "Maloi-core". Likewise, ''Billboard Philippines'' acknowledged the online popularity of the term "Maloi-core", based on Maloi's "habits and quirks". In a report about the "Everything Everywhere Maloi at Once" event, ''Rappler'' writer Bea Gatmaytan identified her fans' bracelet-crafting as Maloi-core.

Discography

As a lead artist

Songwriting credits

Filmography

Television

Music videos

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Maloi
Tagalog people
2002 births
ABS-CBN people
Actresses from Batangas
Actresses from Cavite
Bini (group) members
Filipino female dancers
Filipino female models
Filipino television personalities
Filipino women pop singers
Living people
Singers from Batangas
Singers from Cavite
Star Magic personalities
Star Music artists