Meet the Honorees of Billboard Philippines Women In Music 2026

When Billboard Philippines launched Women in Music in 2024, the goal was simple: spotlight the women shaping the country’s musical present while honoring those who built its past. Three editions in, the event has grown into one of our defining annual celebrations — a night where artistry, influence, and leadership take center stage. On March 24, 2026, the third edition of Billboard Philippines Women in Music returns with a new slate of honorees whose work continues to push Filipino music forward, from chart-topping pop acts and era-defining hitmakers to icons whose legacies stretch across decades.

Except for our Woman of the Year, who will be revealed soon, here are the esteemed artists who will be given the titles of Rising Star, Rule Breaker, Hitmaker, Powerhouse, and Icon at this year’s Billboard Philippines Women In MusicWomen In MusicA Billboard franchise honoring female artists, executives, and creators for their achievements and influence on the global music industry. Billboard Philippines Women In Music celebrates trailblazers, veteran performers, and risingGo to Women In Music Glossary.

Rising Star – G22

In the fast-evolving landscape 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, few acts have surged forward with the clarity and confidence of G22. The trio of AJ, Alfea, and Jaz has carved out a distinct identity through sharp choreography, striking visuals, an advocacy of female empowerment, and a sound that blends contemporary pop ambition with undeniable stage presence. Their growing mainstream recognition signals a breakout moment not just for the group but for a new generation of Filipino pop acts eager to compete on a global scale. As this year’s Rising Star, G22 represent the promise of what comes next.

Rule Breaker – KZ Tandingan

KZ Tandingan has built her career on fearless reinvention. A vocalist comfortable in R&B, soul, 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, and pop, she has consistently resisted easy categorization, choosing instead to follow instinct and authenticity. Whether onstage or in the studio, Tandingan champions individuality and emotional honesty — a philosophy that resonates deeply with younger listeners navigating their own paths. The Rule Breaker award celebrates artists who challenge expectations, and few in Filipino music embody that spirit as vividly as KZ Tandingan.

Hitmaker – Yeng Constantino

Across nearly two decades, Yeng Constantino has quietly assembled one of the most beloved songwriting catalogs in modern 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. Her compositions — heartfelt, direct, and emotionally resonant — have become staples across radio, karaoke rooms, and concert halls. Multi-platinum success followed, but the deeper measure of Constantino’s influence lies in how her songs continue to travel across generations, speaking to listeners at every stage of life. As this year’s Hitmaker, she is honored for a body of work that has left a lasting imprint on Filipino music culture.

Powerhouse — BINI

Few acts defined the past year with the same scale and momentum as three-time Billboard Philippines Women In MusicWomen In MusicA Billboard franchise honoring female artists, executives, and creators for their achievements and influence on the global music industry. Billboard Philippines Women In Music celebrates trailblazers, veteran performers, and risingGo to Women In Music Glossary honorees BINI. From dominating streaming charts to mounting sold-out concerts, launching a world tour, and becoming the first Filipino girl group to perform at Coachella, the P-pop phenomenon has turned sustained fan support into a full-fledged cultural movement. With polished performances, vibrant pop sensibilities, and a rapidly expanding international following, the Nation’s Girl Group has become one of the most visible ambassadors of Filipino pop music today. The Powerhouse award recognizes that commanding presence — the rare combination of commercial dominance and cultural impact — that last year’s Women of the Year undoubtedly possess.

Icon — Lolita Carbon

As the unmistakable voice of the legendary Filipino folk-rock group Asin, Lolita Carbon helped define a chapter of 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 rooted in social consciousness, storytelling, and cultural pride. Her work has endured across generations, carried by songs that remain as resonant today as when they first emerged. Carbon’s legacy extends far beyond performance; it lives in the artists who continue to draw inspiration from the movement she helped shape. With the Icon award, Billboard Philippines celebrates a career whose influence remains woven into the country’s musical history.

Jason Caballa

Managing Editor

Currently the Managing Editor at Billboard Philippines, Jason Caballa's career in music journalism has spanned decades, having most notably served as Music Editor of PULP Magazine and then Associate Editor for the now-defunct Pinoytuner.com.

He has also contributed music articles for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rogue Magazine, Mabuhay Magazine, and other print publications from as early as his college years. After shifting to advertising as a copywriter in several agencies, he has returned to documenting local and international music with the establishment of Billboard Philippines in 2023.

Having been a musician himself in Manila's rock and indie scenes since the late '90s, Jason is often inclined towards featuring bands and recording artists who come from that world, as his firsthand experiences allow him to come up with insightful angles and questions for his subjects, resulting in unique and in-depth stories.

See more stories by Jason Caballa