Artists, music professionals, and fans came together at the SM Mall of Asia Arena for a celebration of Filipino music’s biggest achievements, memorable performances, and enduring influence.
The 2026 Filipino Music Awards brought together artists, industry leaders, and music fans for an evening celebrating the achievements and continuing evolution of Original Pilipino Music. Held on October 6 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and hosted by Joey Mead King, KC Montero, and Billy Crawford, the second edition of the ceremony recognized the songs, albums, artists, concerts, and organizations that helped shape the past year in Filipino music.
From the red carpet to the final performance, the evening reflected an industry with an increasingly diverse range of sounds, a growing international presence, and a strong connection between artists and their audiences. Beyond the nominees and performers, the gathering also welcomed professionals from record labels, event promotion companies, artist management agencies, and other sectors of the music business, reinforcing the Filipino Music Awards’ role as a meeting point for the wider industry.
A Gathering of Filipino Music’s Biggest Names
The celebration began on the red carpet, where nominees, performers, presenters, and special guests arrived in their interpretations of the evening’s Gilded dress code. The gathering brought together artists from across genres and generations, with established names such as Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Ogie Alcasid, Gary Valenciano, and Apl.de.Ap sharing the occasion with contemporary stars and emerging acts.
Among the evening’s more memorable arrivals were Kamikazee, whose members arrived in matching black barongs, gray wigs, and makeup that gave them the appearance of a group of lolos. Their playful take on the dress code offered an early glimpse of the humor and energy they would later bring to the stage.
Inside the arena, the ceremony became an opportunity for artists and industry figures to connect beyond their individual performances and nominations. Executives and representatives from record labels, talent management companies, concert promoters, and other music organizations joined the gathering, creating opportunities for conversations and connections across different areas of the business. Their presence underscored the collaborative network behind the artists and music being celebrated.
The event also extended beyond the main stage. Sponsor booths and on-ground activations gave guests opportunities to engage with the brands supporting the ceremony, while special segments throughout the program brought these partnerships into the evening’s overall experience. Together, these elements made the FMA a gathering that encompassed the wider ecosystem surrounding Filipino music.
Recognizing the Year’s Defining Achievements
The awards highlighted the range of artists making an impact across the industry. BINI emerged among the evening’s biggest winners, receiving Artist of the Year and Tour of the Year for their Signals World Tour. The recognition came amid the group’s expanding international presence, including major festival appearances that have brought Filipino pop to wider audiences.
SB19 also had a strong showing, winning three awards, including Concert of the Year for Wakas at Simula: The Trilogy Concert Finale and two People’s Choice honors. Their wins reflected both the group’s continued influence on the local music landscape and the strength of its relationship with its supporters.
Other major honors recognized the achievements of artists working across different sounds. Maki received Album of the Year for KOLORCOASTER, while Skusta Clee and Flow G‘s “Since Day One” won both Song of the Year and Hip-Hop Song of the Year. Rising alternative rock act fitterkarma was named Breakthrough Artist of the Year, while the Genre Awards recognized the best songs across pop, rock, alternative, R&B, and folk.
The evening also made room for the people and institutions whose contributions extend beyond individual releases. Regine Velasquez-Alcasid received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her four-decade career and lasting influence on Filipino music. The late Francis Magalona was honored with the Tribute Award for his pioneering role in bringing Filipino hip-hop into the mainstream and his enduring impact on generations of artists. His legacy found another expression later in the evening through a performance featuring his son, Elmo Magalona.
Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-Aawit (OPM) received the Music Foundation Award for its longstanding advocacy for Filipino singers and recording artists, while ABS-CBN Music was named Music Company of the Year for its contributions to developing homegrown talent and expanding the reach of Filipino artists.
Performances That Spanned Generations
The evening’s performances brought the awards’ celebration to life, moving between contemporary pop, P-pop, rock, R&B, and hip-hop. Maki opened the ceremony with a lively set of hits with his band and dancers, before Kamikazee followed with a rock performance that had the audience singing along to “Narda.” The band later welcomed Janine Berdin for “Huling Sayaw,” creating one of the night’s memorable collaborations.
A special P-pop showcase featuring BGYO, KAIA, VXON, G22, and Alamat highlighted the genre’s growing place in the broader OPM landscape. The segment brought together groups with distinct musical identities and performance styles, reflecting the continued development of the local idol scene.
The program also featured a showcase from Cornerstone Entertainment artists Inigo Pascual, Zephanie, Kyle Echarri, Erik Santos, and Kyla. Later, Gary Valenciano took the stage following the presentation of the Legacy Awards, delivering a high-energy performance of “Hataw Na” that brought the audience to its feet.
The ceremony closed with a series of performances from Skusta Clee, Flow G, and Parokya Ni Edgar. The finale brought together artists from different generations of Filipino rock and hip-hop, culminating in “Bagsakan,” with Flow G taking on Gloc-9‘s parts and Elmo Magalona performing the verses associated with his father, Francis M. Following the Tribute Award, the performance offered a fitting acknowledgment of the connections between OPM’s history and its present.
A Celebration Shaped by Its Audience
Throughout the evening, the audience was an active part of the celebration. Familiar rock anthems prompted sing-alongs, contemporary hits made fans get up from their seats, and the appearance of artists from different generations created moments of recognition across the arena. The response to Gary Valenciano’s performance, the crowd’s participation during Kamikazee’s set, and the energy surrounding the closing collaboration demonstrated the lasting power of Filipino music to bring listeners together.
The presence of music professionals, meanwhile, gave the gathering another dimension. By bringing together the people responsible for developing artists, producing recordings, mounting concerts, managing careers, and bringing music to audiences, the FMA provided a shared space for the different sectors that sustain the industry. The participation of sponsors through booths, activations, and special program segments further demonstrated the partnerships that help support and bring large-scale music events to life.
The 2026 Filipino Music Awards ultimately offered a snapshot of an industry in motion. The nominees and winners reflected the strength of established acts, the commercial and cultural impact of newer artists, and the continued expansion of genres that have found increasingly broad audiences. BINI’s international milestones, SB19’s sustained achievements, the recognition of Filipino hip-hop, and the range of artists represented across the Genre Awards all point to an industry whose influence is no longer confined to a single sound or market.
Just as significant was the audience’s response and the gathering of artists and professionals who might otherwise occupy different corners of the music scene. The evening demonstrated that OPM’s growth is being driven by a wide ecosystem of performers, songwriters, producers, record labels, promoters, management companies, organizations, commercial partners, and listeners. By bringing these voices together, the Filipino Music Awards celebrated not only the achievements of the past year, but also the collective effort behind the music and the creative momentum shaping the next chapter of the Filipino music industry.
The Filipino Music Awards 2026
Presented by:
AGC Power Holdings Corp.
In cooperation with:
One MEGA Group Inc.
MEGA Global Group Inc.
Modern Media Group Inc.
Digistar PH Inc.
Co-Presented by:
IQOS
ZYN
BingoPlus
Powered by:
Clear
Dove
Security Bank
Sony
GAOC
HONOR
Jinro
Coke Studio
RPS Aesthetic
Purse Maison
Special Thanks to:
SM Supermalls
Official Mobility Partner:
Toyota
Official Catering Partners:
Privé by Illo’s
Fedici PH
Sundaes at the Bar
Official Mobile Bar Partners:
Nyctophile Mixology and Bar Hosting
The Black Box Cocktail Bar
Pour Hotel
Barcato Mobile Bar
Official Coffee Partner:
The Brewing Studio
Official Hydration Partner:
Absolute Distilled Drinking Water
Official Photobooth Partner:
Kodaki Express
Official Venue Styling Partner:
Spruce Designs
Official Hotel Partner:
Microtel by Wyndham