SB19, KAIA, Maki Among Filipino Music Award Nominees for ‘Pop Song of the Year’

The Filipino Music Awards has unveiled the nominees for 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, setting the tone for how the genre continues to thrive in the country. With P-pop groups and solo performers dominating the list, the category reflects the wide reach and adaptability of pop music in the Philippines, defined by sticky hooks, bright production, and the kind of songwriting that turns charm into mass appeal.

This year’s lineup emphasizes that staying power. BGYO’s “All These Ladies” captures sleek group dynamics and polished production, while SB19 lands two slots: their anthem “Dungka” and “Umaaligid,” the latter being a collaborative track with 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 icon Sarah Geronimo. Rising solo singer-songwriter Maki joins with “Namumula,” while girl group KAIA adds “Tanga” to the mix. Together, the nominees highlight how pop in the Philippines continues to balance global polish with local flavor.

The Filipino Music Awards will take place on October 21 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, honoring some of the country’s most vital artists across genres. While the spotlight on 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 demonstrates its dominance, the ceremony’s other categories, including Folk, Alternative, and Hip-Hop, among others, point to the depth of Philippine music’s history and its ongoing cultural resonance. Complimentary tickets are available through Filipino Music Awards magazine packages on SariSari.Shopping.

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

See more stories by Elijah Pareño

• In This Article:
• Filipino Music Awards