Maki, Kamikazee Perform their Biggest Hits to Open Filipino Music Awards

The Filipino Music Awards (FMAs) this year opened with two of the most exciting and iconic acts in the popPopShort for popular music, a broad genre built on catchy melodies, clear hooks, and polished production that aims to reach a wide audience. Pop constantly borrows from other styles, andGo to Pop Glossary and rock scene: Maki and Kamikazee. 

Kicking off the night, Maki performed a string of his biggest hits, beginning with “Bughaw” and the FMA-nominated PopPopShort for popular music, a broad genre built on catchy melodies, clear hooks, and polished production that aims to reach a wide audience. Pop constantly borrows from other styles, andGo to Pop Glossary Song of the Year entry, “Habangbuhay Pansamantala,” during which he wore a school attire while walking across an animated backdrop. The set then transitioned into “Namumula,” where he was joined by a group of dancers. He closed his performance with a slowed-down rendition of his breakthrough single, “Dilaw,” before introducing the night’s next performer, Kamikazee.

The rockRockA guitar-driven genre that grew from rhythm and blues in the 1950s and splintered into countless styles, from punk and metal to alternative. With a long history of rebellion andGo to Rock Glossary legends opened with the guitar riff of “Unang Tikim,” then went straight into the iconic “Narda,” with frontman Jay Contreras pointing his microphone to the crowd for a singalong. Contreras quipped to the crowd, “Magandang gabi, kami nga pala Kamikazee, sikat kami nung 2006!” Kamikazee closed their set with “Huling Sayaw,” joined by a surprise appearance from singer-songwriter and FMA nominee Janine Berdin.

Earlier in the ceremony, Kamikazee arrived on the red carpet dressed as lolos.

Elijah Pareño

Music Writer

Elijah Pareño is the Music Writer of Rolling Stone Philippines. He writes daily music news, features, reviews, and radar stories of the website.

In addition to music writing, Pareño has written about the behind-the-scenes writers and producers from the P-pop scene, interviewed hip-hop artists like Shanti Dope and Zae, and featured up-and-coming artists for the Music Forecast 2026. Aside from music, Pareño has written about the state of affairs that affects pop culture. He wrote a movie review for 'Mortal Kombat II' and reported and interviewed photojournalists at the September 21, 2025 protests in Luneta and Mendiola.

Prior to working in Rolling Stone Philippines, Pareño was a freelance writer for 3 years and independent live music promoter

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• In This Article:
• Filipino Music Awards
• Kamikazee
• Maki