The first-ever Filipino Music Awards has announced its nominees for Rock Song of the Year, a category that celebrates the raw grit and energy proving the genre’s staying power in the country.
Blaster, stepping away from IV of Spades with his band Celestial Klowns, brings in “Hari ng Kapalpakan,” a track that leans into raw songwriting sharpened with distortion and punch. His other project doesn’t go unnoticed either where alternative rock outfit IV of Spades earns a nod with “AURA,” which expands on the band’s flair for flamboyant arrangements while staying rooted in rock sensibilities.
Chicosci’s “Biktima” is also part of the mix, delivering their brand of hardboiled aggression and dark melodicism that has cemented their place in the scene for decades. Ely Buendia, meanwhile, proves his solo work hits just as hard with “Kandarapa” as he threads his alternative instincts with finely crafted lyricism and guitar-driven edge. Juggernaut closes the lineup with “Verdugo,” a heavy-hitting display from a supergroup whose metalcore-adjacent chops show the technical firepower rock continues to cultivate.
Together, these nominees highlight how rock in the Philippines is never stagnant. From inventive riffs to unrelenting energy, each track reflects a different side of the genre’s core appeal while honoring its roots. For the Filipino Music Awards, Rock Song of the Year is less about nostalgia and more about how the genre still pushes boundaries.
The Filipino Music Awards will take place on October 21 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Complimentary tickets are available through Filipino Music Awards magazine packages on SariSari.Shopping.
