Colet (singer)
Ma. Nicolette Florenosos Vergara, known professionally as Colet, is a Filipino singer, songwriter, dancer, and rapper under Star Magic. Before joining the Filipino girl group Bini, Colet was accepted on the singing contest Tawag ng Tanghalan but withdrew to focus on her education. Following two years of training in ABS-CBN's Star Hunt Academy program, Colet debuted as one of the main vocalists, lead dancers, and lead rappers of Bini on June 11, 2021.
Through the years, Colet has accumulated multiple songwriting and composition credits. She has also earned awards and critical acclaim for her vocal abilities and overall musicianship. On July 1, 2024, the government of Tagbilaran, Philippines honored her with a Plaque of Recognition for her dedication to music. Colet has also been recognized by various sources for representing Visayans in the mainstream Philippine media. In November and December 2024, Colet was described as "one of the biggest stars in the nation" by Nylon Manila and a "renowned OPM tastemaker" by Billboard Philippines.
Colet is a P-pop idol. In 2025, she won P-pop Powerful Vocal Female on JuanCast, The Philippine Star
Early life and education
Ma. Nicolette Florenosos Vergara was born on September 14, 2001, in Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines to Arnulfo and Maria Regina Vergara. Her father was also a singer and drummer.Colet participated in her school's singing groups and in singing competitions. She also joined her school's dance group and competed in inter-school dance competitions. In eighth grade, she wrote the lyrics to what subsequently became the Bini track "8" in 2021, which was initially conceived as a graduation song. She studied at the Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School, where she chose the Special Program for the Arts curriculum. She majored in vocals and was trained in singing under the SPA.
She completed senior high school at the Japan Philippine Institute of Technology in Bulacan as a scholar, where she graduated along with fellow Bini member Maloi in 2024.
Career
2018–2021: Early career and TV show auditions
In high school, Colet was accepted as a contestant for the Tawag ng Tanghalan singing competition segment of the ABS-CBN variety show It's Showtime, where she planned to cover "'Wag Ka Nang Umiyak" by KZ Tandingan. In 2018, she joined ABS-CBN's Star Hunt Academy training program for aspiring Pinoy pop idols.During the early stages of her training with Bini, Colet faced challenges in interacting with other members due to a language barrier, as Cebuano is her first language. She has mentioned that she often declines solo interview requests because she finds it difficult to speak Tagalog. SHA director Lauren Dyogi worried that Colet would not survive the "rigorous" training, as she would sometimes be brought to the clinic due to exhaustion. Colet also had concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In November 2020, Colet officially became a member of the Filipino girl group Bini. She debuted as one of their main vocalists, lead rappers, and lead dancers in June 2021, with the single "Born to Win".
2023–present: Solo ventures, career expansion
In 2023, Colet covered "When We Were Young" by Adele at Spotify's "Parinig Mo" event.In June 2024, Colet's vocals were featured on the song "Kalma Kahit Magulo", alongside fellow Bini member Jhoanna, as well as Juan Karlos Labajo. The track is part of the official soundtrack for the Philippine mystery drama series High Street. In July, Colet was interviewed by Melai Cantiveros on the talk show Kuan on One, where Colet also performed her unreleased original composition in Cebuano. In September, she appeared on an episode of It's Showtime
On February 2, 2025, Colet performed the Visayan pop song "Puhon" with singer-songwriter TJ Monterde at his Sarili Nating Mundo concert at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. She sang high notes as the screen displayed the song's original Cebuano lyrics, paired with Tagalog subtitles, behind her and Monterde. She covered "Palagi" by Monterde with Nyoy Volante at Dyogi's birthday celebration in March.
She appeared in a dramatization of fellow Bini member Sheena's life story in the anthology series Maalaala Mo Kaya, which premiered on May 1. In June, the Filipino-Australian singer Ylona Garcia praised a cover of her song "Win the Fight" that Colet performed along with Stacey when the latter two were still Bini trainees. Colet and Stacey contributed additional lyrics to their cover. On social media, Garcia expressed an interest to record a version with the two.
In September, Colet was one of the guest mentors for Idol Kids Philippines.
At the Binified concert in December, Colet covered "4 Minutes" by Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake in a solo production number. Apart from singing and dancing, she also played the drums.
Colet has been recognized as a lyricist, composer, and/or vocal arranger on various songs: "Born to Win", "Golden Arrow", "Kinikilig", "Karera", "8", and "Cherry on Top," by Bini. She also wrote an original Cebuano-language rap in "Bata, Kaya Mo!", a collaboration with rap group Playertwo released under Coke Studio Philippines. Tatler Asia has credited Colet for molding Bini's sound.
Philanthropy
In October 2024, Colet participated in Aiah's Aiahdvocacy initiative. Along with fellow Bini member Maloi, they visited an nursing home as a part of the outreach program.In March 2025, Colet collaborated with her fan group for Project Colipay, in which she hosted Jollibee parties for children with disabilities. She explained that, having grown up in poverty, she never had the chance to experience a Jollibee birthday party herself as a child.
In April, she donated goods to children in Bohol through Project Puhon. In May, a fan group also launched a project called Colaiah Cares, which provided food, hygiene kits, and school supplies to disadvantaged children in Quezon City. Both Colet and Aiah showed their support for the charity initiative.
On November 9, she and Aiah distributed relief goods to survivors of Typhoon Kalmaegi in Cebu.
Media image
In an article published on November 7, 2024, Nylon Manila Nica Glorioso described Colet as "one of the biggest stars in the nation". She also commended Colet for amplifying lesser-known Filipino musical artists. Writing for Billboard Philippines, Gabriel Saulog called Colet a "renowned OPM tastemaker".Ralph Lawrence G. Llemit of the Filipino newspaper SunStar Davao named Colet's endorsement of the Eliza Maturan song "Museo" as one of the reasons for its entry into the Billboard music charts. Likewise, Billboard Philippines
Ethnic identity
Many fans refer to Colet as "Anger". Jessica Ngojo of Cebu Daily News attributed the nickname to Colet's "angry" skits on her live broadcasts online. However, Colet herself has pushed back against the nickname, repeatedly telling the public that she is not constantly angry. An essay published in The Philippine Daily InquirerIn an article analyzing the history of Visayan pop music for the American magazine Positively Filipino, Julienne Loreto credited Colet for increasing the general public's interest in the Cebuano language. Similarly, a research paper published in 2024 recognized her as a celebrity who provided representation for Visayans and Cebuano speakers in the media. Ngojo described Colet as a "beloved icon for Cebuanos, Boholanos, and Visayans alike".
Artistry
Musical style
Various publications have recognized Colet's musicianship. Dubai-based newspaper Gulf News quoted a fan, Lei Redulla Lopez, who described Colet as "multi-talented". Lopez, who attended Bini's concert in November, praised the singer for her vocal, dance, and rap skills, adding that she knew how to play instruments such as the guitar and drums. Bini's songs are known for being fast and upbeat, but in Colet's solo work, she often performs ballads.Vocals
Hans Ethan Carbonilla of the Philippine magazine Parcinq lauded Colet's singing skills, describing her singing as "heavenly". He added, "Maybe if we had that kind of vocal ability, we wouldn't shut up. But then again, some people like Colet were naturally born to be a star." RapplerColet has been identified as a soprano. A Positively Filipino article quoted Caroline Parry, a British coach, who praised Colet's breath control and diaphragm support when singing. She further expressed that Colet's voice is the "crown jewel" of Bini. Jessica Robb, another American coach, also lauded Colet's ability to resonate in her pharynx, which produces "highly refined, robust" high notes. On Erwan Heussaff's Kitchen Conversations program, Aiah stated that Colet acts as Bini's "back-up vocal coach", next to their official instructor Anna Graham.
Discography
| Title | Year | Album |
| "Kalma Kahit Magulo" | 2024 | High Street ''Original Soundtrack'' |
Songwriting credits
Credits are adapted from Apple Music, unless otherwise stated.| Title | Year | Artist | Album | Credits |
| "Born to Win" | 2021 | Bini | Born to Win | Vocal arranger |
| "Golden Arrow" | 2021 | Bini | Born to Win | Lyricist |
| "8" | 2021 | Bini | Born to Win | Lyricist, composer |
| "Kinikilig" | 2021 | Bini | Born to Win | Lyricist |
| "Karera" | 2023 | Bini | Talaarawan | Lyricist |
| "Bata, Kaya Mo!" | 2023 | Bini and Playertwo | Coke Studio Philippines Season 7 | Lyricist |
| "Cherry on Top" | 2024 | Bini | Biniverse | Lyricist, vocal arranger |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
| 2024 | Kuan on One | Herself | Guest | |
| 2024 | It's Showtime | Herself | Guest | |
| 2025 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Herself | Special participation | |
| 2025 | Idol Kids Philippines | Herself | Mentor |
Awards and nominations
On July 1, 2024, the local government of Tagbilaran awarded Colet with a plaque of recognition for her dedication to music. They credited her musical career for inspiring pride and admiration among the residents of the city. Her parents received the plaque on her behalf, as she was in Manila at the time due to work schedules.| Platform | Year | Category | Recipient | Result | |
| JuanCast | 2025 | EveryJuan's P-pop Powerful Vocal Female | Colet | Won | |
| P-pop Music Awards | 2025 | P-pop Favorite Vocalist of the Year | Colet | Nomitated | |
| P-pop Music Awards | 2025 | The Complete Package: EveryJuan's P-pop All Rounder | Colet | Nomitated |