Last May 25, 2025, some of the brightest stars of the Philippine music industry, from veteran Original Pinoy Music (OPM) artists to emerging hitmakers, united in a powerful act of love and solidarity at the Marikina Sports Center.
For a common cause, over 20 artists came to the stage of the Daddy Aid benefit concert in tribute to the legendary Allan Mitchell Santos Silonga (fondly known as “Daddy A”) as concert proceeds served as donations to the icon’s kidney transplant and recovery. INotably, the sense of community extended beyond the stage, with the audience packing the venue to the brim—even on a Sunday night. The day, jam-packed with performances and emotion, unfolded as a moving tribute not just to a person, but to a legacy that helped shape the sound of modern OPM.
Photographed by Limveljay Fababier of Creative Kartel
A special video segment during the show revealed just how profound Daddy A’s influence is – artists signed on to perform without hesitation, eager to give back to someone who had uplifted so many behind the scenes. The stacked lineup featured standout performances from Halina, SHANNi, Sugarcane, One Click Straight, Lily, jikamarie, Gracenote, 6cyclemind, Imago, Moonstar88, Sandwich, Kiyo, Tanya Markova, Lola Amour, Over October, Gloc-9, Moira, Dilaw, Morobeats, Legit Misfitz, and Ben&Ben.
Photographed by Limveljay Fababier of Creative Kartel
It was a heartfelt touch that each artist took a moment to share heartfelt messages of gratitude and appreciation, commemorating Daddy A’s invaluable contributions to Filipino music. It’s noteworthy as well that, despite the lengthy lineup, the concert never lost its momentum — each set felt like it passed in seconds, as the crowd was drawn in by live renditions of everything from unreleased gems to timeless anthems.
Photographed by Limveljay Fababier of Creative Kartel
Beyond the scheduled acts, surprise appearances added emotional weight and excitement to the concert. Zild performed alongside One Click Straight in a collaborative rendition of “MRT” and BLASTER joined Dilaw for their performance of “YIEE.” Towards the latter end of the show, as a result of the fortunate draw of a grand raffle, one lucky concert-goer got to bring home an electric guitar IV of Spades themselves — a touching gesture from the band Silonga helped bring to life. When the man of the hour finally stepped on stage, his performance of classic ballads reminded everyone of the powerful voice and artistry that had inspired generations of music.
Photographed by Limveljay Fababier of Creative Kartel
Silonga is one of the strongest forces of the Philippine music scene, as a composer, musician, producer, music executive, and mentor who has guided many beloved local acts in their work. Significantly, he was the original founder and manager of IV of Spades, a member-founder of Daddy’s Home and K24/7 (Kindred Garden), and the owner and founder of Imajin Arts and Music. The emotional weight of the evening was a resounding testament to his influence and the deep respect the community holds for him.
In the end, Daddy Aid was more than a one-night experience — it was a celebration of legacy, a showcase of unity in OPM, and a heartfelt reminder that behind every great artist, there are mentors like Daddy A who light the way.