10 Memorable Moments From The 2026 Filipino Music Awards
OPM’s biggest night brought together the icons who shaped Filipino music and the new generation carrying its legacy forward, with Billboard Philippines rounding up 10 standout moments from the evening.
Janine Berdin and Jay Contreras of Kamikazee. Photographed by Easel Manes.
Janine Berdin and Jay Contreras of Kamikazee. Photographed by Easel Manes.
As Billboard Philippines wraps up the week, we’re looking back at the standout moments that made the Filipino Music Awards 2026 a night to remember.
On October 6, 2026 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the event gathered OPMOPMShort for Original Pilipino Music, the body of songs created by Filipino artists, spanning genres from ballads and rock to hip-hop and pop. OPM expresses Filipino identity and heritage, andGo to OPM Glossary’s biggest names alongside industry leaders and emerging artists. It was truly a celebration of the talent and creativity keeping Filipino music alive and thriving.
The excitement began on the red carpet, where artists arrived dressed to impress in striking ensembles, with a few unexpected looks catching everyone’s attention. Inside the venue, fans got to witness fun interactions among their favorite artists. Most importantly, the ceremony saw the songs, albums, releases, concerts, and organizations rightfully honored for their undeniable impact on the local music industry.
The show-stopping performances from veterans and rising stars alike were a testament to the immense talent Filipino artists have to offer. With every award, red carpet look, and onstage number adding to the night’s highlights, here are 10 memorable moments from the Filipino Music Awards 2026.
Kamikazee Rock The Red Carpet With Their Lolo Looks
Bringing a playful twist to the red carpet, Kamikazee arrived in matching black barongs and silver-haired wigs as lolos. With a few extra years under their belts, the OPMOPMShort for Original Pilipino Music, the body of songs created by Filipino artists, spanning genres from ballads and rock to hip-hop and pop. OPM expresses Filipino identity and heritage, andGo to OPM Glossary veterans embraced their “senior” status in the industry, while proving they still have the same rock energy to command the stage, later getting the crowd singing along to “Narda” before bringing Janine Berdin onstage for “Huling Sayaw.”
IV OF SPADES’ Lolo Doubles Take The Stage In Their Stead
Lolo proxies of Blaster, Zild, Badjao, and Unique of IV OF SPADES. Photographed by Easel Manes.
The awarding ceremony saw no shortage of lolos, with IV OF SPADES sending their older counterparts as proxies while the four-piece act toured the United States and Canada. The Unique, Zild, Blaster, and Badjao stand-ins accepted the band’s Alternative Song of the Year award for their hit track, “Kabisado,”
Regine Velasquez Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award
Regine Velasquez-Alcasid. Photographed by Easel Manes.
As she nears her final major solo concert, the FMA honored Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid with the Lifetime Achievement Award. In her acceptance speech, the powerhouse vocalist joked that receiving such recognition can be scary, as it might mean you’re getting old or your career is nearing its end — a notion that is far from the truth for the OPM icon.
Remembering Francis M’s Enduring Legacy
Maxene and Pia Magalona. Photographed by Easel Manes.
The night honored Pinoy hip-hopHip-HopA cultural movement and music genre that began in the Bronx in the 1970s, built on rapping, DJing, beatmaking, and sampling. Hip-hop has a strong Filipino scene, with artists writingGo to Hip-Hop Glossary pioneer Francis M with a posthumous Tribute Award, accepted by his wife, Pia Magalona, and daughter Maxene Magalona. Speaking on her father’s behalf, Maxene shared the message: “Mga kababayan, araw-araw piliin ang kapayapaan (Fellow citizens, let us choose peace everyday),” reflecting the Master Rapper’s uniting legacy that continue to resonate across generations.
A Double Win For The FMA History Books
ALAMAT. Photographed by Easel Manes.
Seeing an FMA first, R&B Song of the Year ended in a tie, with Alamat’s “Sinigang” and Denise Julia’s “LOVE AGAIN” sharing the win. The P-popP-PopShort for Pilipino pop, a movement of Filipino idol groups and solo acts who combine pop music, choreography, and polished production for local and international audiences. P-pop has grown quickly,Go to P-Pop Glossary boy group took the stage in disbelief, expressing pride in representing their hometowns as humble artists. Although absent as she prepares for her international tour, Denise Julia took to her social media to celebrate the significance of a sapphic love song winning a major genre award in the Philippines.
Artist of the Year Winners, BINI and SB19, Meet On The FMA Floor
SB19’s Stell, Pablo, and Josh with BINI’s Maloi and Jhoanna. Photographed by Easel Manes.
The Nation’s Girl Group BINI and the Kings of P-popP-PopShort for Pilipino pop, a movement of Filipino idol groups and solo acts who combine pop music, choreography, and polished production for local and international audiences. P-pop has grown quickly,Go to P-Pop Glossary SB19 shared a moment during the awarding ceremony, representing the 2026 and 2025 FMA Artist of the Year recipients, respectively. As two of P-pop’s leading acts, both powerhouse groups have helped bring Filipino music to a wider global audience, elevating the genre and OPM on the world stage.
P-Pop Acts Take Over The FMA Stage
The P-PopP-PopShort for Pilipino pop, a movement of Filipino idol groups and solo acts who combine pop music, choreography, and polished production for local and international audiences. P-pop has grown quickly,Go to P-Pop Glossary Class of 2025 BGYO, KAIA, VXON, G22, and ALAMAT brought fresh energy to OPM’s biggest night, representing a new generation of OPM artists as their genre continues to established its place in the industry. From the Aces of P-pop leaving their seats to serenade the crowd with “Sinta” to ALAMAT performing their award-winning R&B track “Sinigang,” these P-pop groups proved why their genre continues to rise.
Gary V Keeps The Energy High With A Throwback Performance Of “Hataw Na”
From the new generation to a veteran powerhouse, Gary Valenciano reminded audiences and the whole industry why he remains Mr. Pure Energy decades into his career. Known for his musical versatility and electrifying live performances, he took the stage with his 1994 hit “Hataw Na,” showcasing his unrelenting talent even further by playing the traditional Filipino instrument kulintang.
The FMA’s Song Of The Year Comes Alive Onstage
Fresh off its Hip-Hop Song of the Year and Song of the Year win, Skusta Clee and Flow G brought “Since Day One” to the FMA stage, getting the crowd jumping along to the hit that has become one of the year’s defining tracks. After dominating the Billboard Philippines charts at No. 1 for weeks, the track’s win marked a major moment for Filipino hip-hop, placing the genre at the forefront of the country’s music scene.
Parokya Ni Edgar, Flow G, And Elmo Magalona Bring The House Down With “Bagsakan”
Photographed by Easel Manes.
The second edition of the FMAs went out with a bang as Parokya Ni Edgar brought out Flow G and Elmo Magalona, son of the late the Filipino rap icon Francis M, for a rousing performance of “Bagsakan” that sent the entire arena into a frenzy. Tying back to the night’s tribute to the OPMOPMShort for Original Pilipino Music, the body of songs created by Filipino artists, spanning genres from ballads and rock to hip-hop and pop. OPM expresses Filipino identity and heritage, andGo to OPM Glossary icon, the performance bridged generations of OPM, uniting veteran rockers and the new generation of hip-hop in a fitting close to OPM’s biggest night.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2025, the Filipino Music Awards returned for another year of celebrating the people shaping OPMOPMShort for Original Pilipino Music, the body of songs created by Filipino artists, spanning genres from ballads and rock to hip-hop and pop. OPM expresses Filipino identity and heritage, andGo to OPM Glossary. Presented by AGC Power Holdings Corp., the ceremony honored artists, songwriters, producers, musicians, engineers, record labels, executives, and creative professionals for their talent and hard work in driving the local music scene forward. As FMA 2026 draws to a close, it leaves behind a renewed appreciation for the people behind the music and sets the stage for another exciting chapter in Filipino music.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2026 Filipino Music Awards took place on October 6, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The second edition gathered OPM artists, songwriters, producers, executives, and emerging acts, and was presented by AGC Power Holdings Corp., following the inaugural ceremony held in 2025.
Skusta Clee and Flow G won Song of the Year at the 2026 Filipino Music Awards for “Since Day One.” The track spent weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Philippines charts before the win, and the duo performed it onstage during the ceremony.
Regine Velasquez-Alcasid received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Filipino Music Awards. The honor recognized the singer known as Asia’s Songbird, and came as she nears her final major solo concert. Her acceptance speech joked that such recognition can suggest a career is ending.
R&B Song of the Year ended in a tie at the 2026 Filipino Music Awards, a first for the FMA. Alamat’s “Sinigang” and Denise Julia’s “LOVE AGAIN” shared the win. Alamat accepted onstage, while Denise Julia, absent while preparing for an international tour, celebrated on social media.
Francis M received a posthumous Tribute Award at the 2026 Filipino Music Awards, accepted by his wife Pia Magalona and daughter Maxene Magalona. The night closed with Parokya Ni Edgar, Flow G, and Elmo Magalona performing “Bagsakan,” tying the tribute to the finale.
