At the first-ever Filipino Music Awards, the SM Mall of Asia Arena became a crossroads for generations of musicians, celebrating the best music the Philippines has to offer.
Kicking off the night was a performance from IV of Spades, who took the stage with their comeback track, “Aura.” Attendees crowded the sides of the mainstage, trying to get closer to their favorite band members.
Artists spent the evening jumping from table to table, mingling with their peers, idols, and major figures in the music industry. From the band members of Ben&Ben chatting with Ely Buendia, to the likes of Hellmerry and Morobeats hanging by the bar, the Filipino Music Awards saw the very best of OPM find common ground.
SB19 took home the most awards of the night, including one of the biggest awards of the night, Artist of the Year.
In one of their speeches, SB19 used their time onstage urging for good governance. “Ini-encourage po namin ang lahat ng artist na gamitin nang mabuti ang kanilang plataporma para itama natin ang mga mali, para tawagin kung sino dapat ang managot, para mahuli ang dapat mahuli,” the band said, calling for accountability.
The Legacy Awards paid homage to several mainstays in the national music industry. Pilita Corales was posthumously given the Tribute Award, with her grandchildren Janine and Diego Gutierrez accepting the accolade on her behalf. The Music Foundation Award, which recognizes that has advanced Filipino music excellence the most, went to Ang Misyon, Inc. The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Jose Mari Chan.
For the evening’s Grand Awards, Cup of Joe took home two accolades: Song of the Year and Album of the Year. In between the awards being announced, the group waited anxiously backstage, eyes glued to the monitors to see if their name would be called. “Sobra kaming kinakabahan noon,” Cup of Joe’s Raphaell Ridao told Rolling Stone Philippines. “Alam mo ‘yong feeling na dapat babalik kami sa upuan, pero parang hindi na kami makagalaw. Nakatingin na lang kami sa TV sa backstage. Ito na, ito na, Album of the Year. Parang alam mo ‘yong hini-hold namin ‘yong breath namin.”
The Filipino Music Awards delivered not just a show, but a statement on where Filipino music is headed in 2025 and beyond. These photos capture the moments that defined that spirit and celebrated joy, the power, and the pulse of an industry in full bloom.
Presented by Modern Media Group Inc.
Produced by AGC Power Holdings Corp.
Catch the official telecast on TV5 on the following dates:
Part 1: October 25, 2025 | 9:45 PM
Part 2: October 26, 2025 | 9:30 PM
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