10 Memorable Moments From The 2025 Filipino Music Awards

After months of build-up and anticipation, the first-ever Filipino Music Awards has officially come to a close.

What has been deemed as one of the biggest events for the Philippine music industry in recent years has become a night to remember for everyone involved –– including its star-studded lineup of guests, musical performers, industry executives, and celebrities alike. Honoring all of the astounding musical achievements that took place over the past year, this year’s Filipino Music Awards celebrated how much OPM and Philippine artistry continued to resonate with millions of listeners nationwide, while simultaneously extending its reach to new global heights.

Given just how many talents gathered together at the Mall of Asia Arena in one night, it was no surprise that it saw several special and memorable moments that brought together an entire community of artists to celebrate all of these wins, which recognized Philippine excellence at new standards. Whether it was seeing several of the scene’s biggest names interact, witnessing politically resonant acceptance speeches, or even hearing both the audience and artists in attendance sing all together, there’s no shortage of iconic moments to forget at this year’s inaugural awards show.

Though a few days have passed since the momentous event itself, Billboard Philippines looks back at ten of the most memorable moments that we just can’t get over from this year’s celebration of the Filipino Music Awards.

Morobeats’ Impactful (And Equally Resonant) Call For A ‘Free Palestine’

In a moment for the culture, hip-hop collective Morobeats made history by winning Hip-Hop Song of the Year for “Gubat na Siyudad,” a gritty anthem about urban struggle and survival. During their acceptance speech, they thanked their home region of Mindanao, their fans, and then founder DJ Medmessiah boldly stated, “Free Palestine!” — bringing a global human rights message into a Filipino music awards context. While the moment surprised many attendees and instantly became one of the defining snapshots of the night, for it underscored how Filipino hip-hop continues to be socially conscious, refusing to shy away from political or global issues.

IV OF SPADES’ Arrival In An ‘Andalucia’ Inspired Jeepney

While the red carpet was filled with musical icons, no one made a grander impression than IV OF SPADES, who arrived to the Mall of Asia Arena in a special ‘Andalucia’-themed jeepney. Beyond paying homage to Philippine culture itself, this arrival drew the excitement of the thousands of fans, and was almost barred by event security who were extremely surprised at such an unconventional vehicle arriving at the function. Still, members Unique, Zild, Blaster, and Badjao used the moment to arrive in style, showcasing their matching custom suits while simultaneously promoting their forthcoming record, Andalucia.

Cup of Joe’s Live Performance of “Multo” That Had The Entire Arena Singing Along

There is no other song that has become the Philippines’ secondary national anthem this year as much as Cup of Joe’s “Multo” has, so for their performance of the Billboard Philippines‘ chart-topping hit single, it was no surprise to see the entire Mall of Asia Arena sing along with the band. The live atmosphere within the venue quickly turned electric as the crowd began singing the chorus in unison, effectively turning the performance into a collective experience — making it a testament to the song’s popularity and how deeply it resonated emotionally with fans and industry peers alike. Just by seeing the live response to their performance, it was no surprise as to why the band won in the Song of the Year category.

Paolo Valenciano’s Tribute To The Late GA Fallarme

In accepting his award as director of the winning Concert of the Year (SB19’s Simula At Wakas kick-off), Paolo Valenciano used his acceptance speech to pay tribute to GA Fallarme, who sadly passed a few weeks back. Valenciano honored the memory of the late (but great) Projection Designer by giving him a special shoutout during the ceremony, dedicating his win to his good friend –– making it a sentimental and poignant reminder of how vital every production member’s role is in bringing such grand productions to life.

An Enamoring First Live Performance of BINI’s “First Luv”

As one of the highly anticipated acts of the night, BINI debuted the live version of their latest single “First Luv,” giving fans and industry peers a gorgeous, first-hand spectacle of the artistry that has led them to carry the title as the Nation’s Girl Group. The stage design turned dreamy and pink-lit, and their choreography and harmony brought polished idol-pop energy anchored in their unapologetically Filipino identity. It felt like a statement of intent: P-pop is growing up and reaching for a broader scope while remaining rooted in local culture, while also serving as another teaser of what fans could expect off their upcoming (and historic) performance in Coachella 2026.

In Memory of Musical Icon Pilita Corrales

The night included a poignant moment when the Tribute Award was given to Pilita Corrales, affectionately known as Asia’s Queen of Songs, who passed away earlier this year. With her posthumous award being received by her grandchildren, Janine and Diego Gutierrez, it allowed for industry figures and fans alike to pay homage to her decades–long influence, both locally and internationally, reminding all of us about how much her legacy has served as a reminder that awards are not just about current hits but also about honoring those who paved the way for today’s artists and the OPM industry at large.

Maxie Andreison’s High-Energy Performance of “Tado” and “Halika Na”

Taking the stage in full glamour, celebrated drag queen Maxie Andreison delivered an electrifying set of performances with a bold medley of her tracks “Tado” and “Halika Na.” She effortlessly commanded the arena with flawless choreography and a strong display of live vocals, and signaled a major crossover into mainstream pop music spectacle with her impressive performance — asserting drag artists as central figures in Filipino music culture.

A Surprising Anti-Korupsyon Chant

Amid the celebration of music, the night carried an undercurrent of social commentary as the crowd intermittently chanted “Ikulong na ‘yan, mga kurakot!” (“Jail the corrupt!”) during certain transitions and especially as part of the closing performance. The show became more than a mere awards ceremony, as it allowed the audience to reflect on the mood of the current times in the Philippines, wherein music, fandom, and political voice continue to intersect. In that moment, it encapsulated how music events can also become platforms for collective expression and civic statement.

Apl. De Ap’s Debut Performance of Upcoming Track “WIND IT!” With Illest Morena and Fana

Internationally known but deeply connected to the Filipino music scene, The Black Eyed Peas’ Apl.de.Ap joined forces with Illest Morena and Fana for the live debut of his unreleased single “WIND IT!”, an upcoming track blending pop, dancehall, and Filipino musical textures. Aside from giving the audience a first glimpse of what to expect from the forthcoming single, the trio’s performance demonstrated how Filipino music is increasingly global in reach and collaborative in spirit — but still anchored in local creativity and identity.

SB19 and Ben&Ben’s Powerful Closing Performance of “Kapangyarihan”

As the curtain-call of the evening, SB19 and Ben&Ben came together on stage to deliver a stirring rendition of “Kapangyarihan,” a social-justice-oriented anthem about accountability and power. It was very much resonant with the current sociopolitical statement of the Philippines, and also a clear display of the powerful performance quality of both musical groups that deliver hard-hitting messaging via the means of a convergence of pop-culture spectacle and civic urgency, marking a moment where entertainment and activism met in a big way.

The first-ever Filipino Music Awards brought together the OPM industry’s biggest artists and influential figures, honoring their contributions to the wider industry at large, presenting a total 20 honors across five major categories, and was organized by Modern Media Group Inc. — home to renowned global titles such as Billboard Philippines, Rolling Stone Philippines, Nylon Manila, and Robb Report Philippines — and produced by AGC Power Holdings Corp.