On October 21, moments after the winners were announced in each category, the applause roared through the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The country’s biggest artists, producers, and songwriters found themselves sharing quiet moments of relief, laughter, and disbelief at the inaugural Filipino Music Awards. Shortly after being on stage for their winning speech, the artists were sent backstage for portraits, winners clutched their trophies with a mix of exhaustion and pride, posing for photos, embracing fellow nominees, and reflecting on how far Filipino music had come.
For some, it was a night of long-awaited recognition. For others, it was their first time standing shoulder-to-shoulder with idols who helped shape their craft. Between quick interviews and spontaneous jam sessions in dressing rooms, the atmosphere backstage felt less like competition and more like a family reunion. As the crowd continued to roar outside, the winners of the Filipino Music Awards 2025 carried their victories with a sense of collective pride, knowing they were part of something larger than themselves: a movement proving that Filipino music, in all its forms, continues to thrive, evolve, and unite.
Hands DOwn
SB19 kicked off the winners’ streak, bagging Pop Song of the Year for “DUNGKA!” from their Simula at Wakas EP. Still reeling from the announcement, SB19’s Ken said, “Happy po kami kahit nahihiya. Nakakapressure po — all eyes — pero masaya po kami kasi pinaghirapan po namin ‘yong kanta, and pinaghirapan din po ng mga tao around us.” The group huddled close afterward, laughing and replaying the moment on their phones like kids watching a home video.
Not long after, Zild took home the Alternative Song of the Year award for “I.N.A.S.” His reaction was almost disbelief. “Nakakatuwa,” he says. “Tsaka kasi kasama ko ‘yung mga musicians na fan ako: sina Dilaw, [One Click Straight]… Maraming salamat. Nakakainspire magpatuloy.”
The surprises kept coming. IV of Spades, back from a long hiatus, reclaimed their chemistry and energy by winning Rock Song of the Year for their comeback single “Aura.” Unique Salonga, reunited with his bandmates for the first time in years, could only shake his head and laugh. “Masaya kasi magkakasama kaming nanalo,” he said quietly, still holding the trophy.
In one of the night’s most heartfelt wins, Bicolana folk singer dwta was still out of breath when her name was called for Folk Song of the Year with “Sampung Mga Daliri,” featuring Justin of SB19. “I’m very thankful and honored. I wasn’t expecting to win,” dwta says. “Galing ako sa labas and hinihingal ako when I got to the stage kasi tumakbo ako!”
Morobeats, the hip-hop collective that has built a grassroots following, claimed Hip-Hop Song of the Year for “GUBAT NA SIYUDAD.” Their reaction was as real as it gets. “It’s kinda surprising kasi we were not expecting to win,” DJ Medmessiah says. “These kinds of awards give us hope na people like us can win this award. I think it’s a testimony na anything is possible.”
Cup of Joe ended the night on a surreal note, taking home both Song of the Year and Album of the Year. Rapha Ridao recalled how the band waited backstage, too nervous to return to their seats. “As an artist may tiwala kami sa creation namin, pero pag nandoon ka mismo sa moment na kayo ‘yong winner, parang di niyo mapigilan ‘yung disbelief,” he said. “Sobrang kinabahan kami noon, alam mo ‘yong feeling na dapat babalik na sa upuan pero nakatingin na kami sa TV sa backstage na, hala! Ito na Album of the Year!’”
By the end of the night, the lights backstage dimmed but the feeling of exhaustion and joy lingered, illustrating how the Filipino Music Awards was the kind of ceremony that keeps musicians going.
Official Styling Partners Patricia Pascual Designs, Continuiti, and AECIA
Filipino Music Awards 2025 is 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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