Maloi


Mary Loi Yves Ricalde, 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". This encompasses style trends such as wearing red "Bayonetta glasses".

Early life and education

Mary Loi Yves Ricalde was born on May 27, 2002 in Lemery, Batangas, Philippines. She started singing when she was three years old, and in school, participated in 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

In 2018, Maloi auditioned for Star Hunt Academy 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 as a main vocalist, Maloi wrote the rap section of Bini's 2021 song "Kinikilig", along with Mikha.
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.
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, 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 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.
On September 10, Maloi appeared as a special guest on It's Showtime alongside Colet. Maloi was one of the guest mentors on Idol Kids Philippines, which ended on September 28. On November 7, she was a surprise performer at Maki's Kolorcoaster concert at the Araneta Coliseum. They performed an "emotional" duet version of "Dilaw".

Other work

Maloi is a digital artist. In a fashion feature for Parcinq titled Imaginarium, she discussed her passion for art with the magazine's Hans Ethan Carbonilla. In June 2024, her solo Biniverse performance incorporated her paintings. She also designed the cover artwork for Bini's single "Shagidi", which was revealed on May 27, 2025.

Personal life

As of 2024, Maloi lived with her parents and three siblings in General Trias. The following year, Maloi was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome.

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

AwardYearCategoryNomineeResult
JuanCast2025Mic Drop! Greatest Laughs: Funniest P-Pop MemberMaloiWon
VP Choice Awards2025Female TikTok Face of the YearMaloiWon
VP Choice Awards2026Female TikTok Face of the YearMaloi
P-pop Music Awards2025P-pop Favorite Fashion Icon of the YearMaloiNomitated

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