The 38th Awit Awards highlight OPM’s new golden age

The 38th Awit Awards unfolded as a powerful testament to how far Original Pilipino Music had evolved, bringing together legends, breakout artists, global collaborators, and passionate fandoms under one roof.

The ceremony, mounted by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) in partnership with MQuest Ventures, transformed the Meralco Theater into a gathering place for artists whose work shaped the soundtrack of the nation. With “Vibe” personalities hosting the show and a diverse slate of performers ranging from BINI and BGYO to Lolita Carbon and Ben&Ben, the event celebrated the artistry, resilience, and community that kept OPM thriving.

The night belonged to artists whose innovative bodies of work defined the past year, with some delivering emotional speeches, others celebrating long-awaited recognition, and many being carried on the shoulders of the country’s most dedicated fandoms.

SB19 emerged as one of the most celebrated groups of the night, sweeping across both jury-decided and fan-voted categories. Their explosive collaboration with Gloc-9, “Kalakal,” earned Music Video of the Year, Best Rap/Hip-hop Recording, Best Global Collaboration Recording for “Moonlight” with Ian Asher & Terry Zhong, and Best Cover Art. Individually, Justin secured Favorite Music Video of the Year for “Surreal” and Favorite Recording of the Year for “Kaibigan,” while Pablo and Josue took home Favorite Song of the Year for “Akala.” Stell stood out as a fast-rising solo act, winning Favorite New Solo Artist and Favorite Breakthrough Artist for “Room,” while Felip claimed Favorite Solo Artist and added Best Vocal Arrangement for “ache” to his achievements. These victories brought SB19’s total haul to twelve awards, a sweeping demonstration of their cultural reach.

BINI, the nation’s girl group, also celebrated a monumental evening. They earned Favorite Group Artist, Favorite Album of the Year for TalaAraWan, Best Dance/Electronic Recording for “Salamin, Salamin,” and Most Streamed Artist of the Year, while their fandom BLOOMS received the Vibe Stan Award. Their five-trophy sweep underscored their rapid ascent as one of OPM’s most streamed and influential acts. Meanwhile, NIOR was honored as the New Favorite Group Artist, adding a fresh voice to the growing P-pop landscape.

Veteran artists and technical experts also received well-deserved recognition. Ely Buendia, a pillar of Filipino music, was awarded the Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino Award for his unparalleled contributions to shaping OPM’s direction through the decades. In the technical categories, Arthur Nery’s “Segundo, Siguro” won Best Engineered Recording through the work of Axel Fernandez at Runt Collective Studios; Noel Cabangon’s “Umaycan” earned Best Musical Arrangement; and Felip’s “ache” secured Best Vocal Arrangement. Ice Seguerra’s heartfelt “ATM” took home Best Traditional/Contemporary Folk Recording, a win that highlighted OPM’s ability to blend classic storytelling with modern sound.

Ben&Ben, one of the country’s most beloved bands, took home Best Performance by a Duo or Group, while Maki’s “Dilaw” was hailed as Best Pop Recording. TJ Monterde’s “Palagi” was declared the Most Streamed Recording of the year, solidifying his continuing impact on digital charts.

From rising idols to established icons, the 38th Awit Awards captured a landmark moment in Filipino music — an era defined not only by technical excellence and powerful performances, but also by a renewed sense of community among artists, fans, and creatives. 

The ceremony honored the past, celebrated the present, and hinted at an even brighter future for OPM, proving once again that Filipino music had always been, and continued to be, a force shaped by passion, innovation, and cultural pride.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS:

People’s Voice Awards Favorite Solo Artist: FELIP

People’s Voice Awards Favorite New Solo Artist Winner: Stell

People’s Voice Awards Favorite Group Artist: BINI

People’s Voice Awards Favorite New Group Artist: NIOR

People’s Voice Awards Breakthrough Artist: Stell

People’s Voice Awards Favorite Collaboration: ‘Kalakal’ - SB19 and Gloc-9

People’s Voice Awards Favorite Music Video of the Year: ‘Surreal’ - Justin

Best Engineered Recording: ‘Segundo, Siguro’ by Arthur Nery - Axel Fernandez

Best Musical Arrangement: ‘Umaycan’ by Noel Cabangon - Khalil Refuerzo

Best Vocal Arrangement: “ache” by Felip - Luke Gabriel Isnani, Felip John Suson

Best Cover Art: ‘Kalakal’ by SB19 and Gloc-9

Music Video of the Year: ‘Kalakal’ by SB19 and Gloc-9

Best Recording by a Child or Children: ‘Jesus, Best Friend’ by Ateneo Boys Choir

Best Inspirational Recording: ‘Face of God’ by December Avenue

Best Original Soundtrack Recording: ‘Ulit Ulit’ by Regine Alcasid (Pamilya Sagrado)

Best Christmas Recording: ‘Paskong Mag-isa’ by Debonair District

Best Novelty Recording: ‘Atras Abante’ by Introvert Fiesta, Ajji

Best Regional Recording: ‘Kasing Kasing’ by juan karlos, Kyle Echarri

Best Regional Recording: ‘Umaycan’ by Noel Cabangon

Best Global Collaboration Recording: ‘Moonlight’ by SB19, Ian Asher, Terry Zhong

Best Instrumental Recording: ‘Remedios Circle’ by Alvin Cornista, Chuck Stevens, Tim Lyndon, Dave Harder, Abe Lagrimas Jr.

Best Remix Recording: ‘White Room (Reimagined Ver.)’ by Ena Mori

Best Remix Recording: ‘Different… (Kenyama Remix) ’ by Clara Benin

People’s Voice Awards Favorite Song of the Year: ‘Akala’ by Radkidz (PABLO & Josue)

People’s Voice Awards Record of the Year: ‘Kaibigan’ by Justin

People’s Voice Awards Favorite Album of the Year: ‘Talaarawan’ by BINI

Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino Awardee: Ely Buendia

Vibe Stan Award: Blooms (BINI)

Lifetime Achievement Awardee: Vic del Rosario, Jr.

Best Ballad Recording: ‘Medyo Ako’ by juan karlos, Moira dela Torre

Best Traditional/Contemporary Folk Recording: ‘ATM’ by Ice Seguerra

Best Rock/Metal Recording: ‘The Risk’ by Faspitch

Best Alternative Recording: ‘Namimiss Ko Na’ by Lola Amour

Best World Music Recording: ‘Sarung Banggi’ by Overheat, CamSur Made

Best Dance/Electronic Recording: ‘Salamin, Salamin’ by BINI

Best Rap/Hiphop Recording: ‘Kalakal’ by SB19, Gloc-9

Best Collaboration: ‘Sining’ Dionela, Jay-R

Best Performance by a New Group Artist: ‘Walang Humpay’ by 12th Street

Best Performance by a Group Artist: ‘Triumph’ by Ben&Ben

Best Performance by a New Solo Artist: ‘Di Mapagkaila’ by ila

Best Performance by a Solo Artist: ‘Marilag’ by Dionela

Best R&B Recording: ‘Sining’ by Dionela, Jay-R

Record of the Year: ‘Namimiss ko Na’ by Lola Amour

Song of the Year: ‘Misteryoso’ by Cup of Joe

Album of the Year: ‘The Traveller Across Dimensions’ by Ben&Ben

Most Streamed Artist: BINI