Meet the Larger-Than-Life Personalities of the Filipino Music Awards 2025

Awardees, guests, and performers stopped by for a quick portrait session while celebrating the biggest winners of the night

By Don Jaucian

Photos By Kieran Punay

13 hours ago

Last October 21 at the Filipino Music Awards (FMA), the SM Mall of Asia Arena looked like the ultimate dinner party featuring the country’s biggest names in OPM. In one table, there’s Ely Buendia and Jugs Jugueta. Behind them are the ladies of BINI, then SB19. But then there are artists like Maki, who joked that he was the Nation’s Best Friend of the Year, given how much he said hello to his fellow artists in the neighboring tables and musicians he looked up to growing up.

“Divided [‘yong place into like] mga idols ko and ‘yong mga nakasama kong nag-grow as an artist. Para sa ‘kin nakakaiyak kasi OPM is really thriving,” Maki told Rolling Stone Philippines backstage while waiting for his portrait to be taken. “Para sa akin, ito ‘yong time na we need to support each other and we need to inspire each other because… noong na-meet namin ‘yong mga idols namin dito, it’s so surreal, parang hindi totoo. Now nakikita ko na may mga awards ‘yong mga kasama ko growing as an artist.”

The performer sang “Abelyana” and “Kahel na Langit” at the FMAs, two songs from his recently released album, Kolorcoaster.

Performers, presenters, awardees, and other personalities all trooped to the Rolling Stone Philippines portrait area, hopping in between time on stage and catching up with their friends during the awards ceremony. Host Elijah Canlas even managed to stop by despite his duties. “Nagulat nga ako that I became the host! I was just supposed to present an award and I’m really grateful,” he said while walking to his dressing room.

His presence felt prescient of some sort, with Cup of Joe’s “Multo” winning Song of the Year that night. He and Miles Ocampo starred in the song’s music video.

“Sila Gian [Bernardino of Cup of Joe] naaalala ko may conversation kami dati na ‘Someday sana maging ganito tayo’ and now they’re the number one artist in the Philippines. I’m really proud of everyone,” said Maki.

Take a look at some of the biggest artists who stopped by to have their portraits taken backstage.