The Filipino Music Awards has announced the nominees for Folk Song of the Year, a category that underscores the enduring presence of folk in the country’s music history. Long before rock and other genres took root in the Philippines, folk music carried stories of struggle, intimacy, and national identity. From Coritha’s protest songs to Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak,” the tradition has thrived on lyrical candor, unpolished power, and the simplicity of an acoustic guitar.
That legacy continues in this year’s nominees, which balance respected veterans with younger acts shaping the form for a new audience.
“Sampung Mga Daliri” by Bicol singer-songwriter dwta, featuring SB19’s Justin, reimagines a childhood tune with contemporary folk sensibilities. Noel Cabangon, a longtime torchbearer of the genre, earns a nod for “Aking Diwata, Matéo’s “Lalim” offers an introspective and stripped-down approach, while Amiel Sol’s “Sa Bawat Sandali” signals the voice of a rising songwriter navigating personal truths through folk’s plainspoken style. Rounding out the list is Ben&Ben’s “Saranggola,” which builds on the band’s folk-pop roots with a sweeping rock arrangement that remains grounded in storytelling.
The announcement was made October 2, ahead of the Filipino Music Awards ceremony on October 21 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The event will honor the country’s most vital musicians across genres, with the folk category serving as a reminder of the music’s unmatched role in chronicling the Filipino experience.
Complimentary tickets are available through Filipino Music Awards magazine packages on SariSari.Shopping.
