OPM has always had a place in Filipinos’ hearts, but the genre has reached new heights lately with a popularity that can go toe-to-toe with international artists. This past year has been no different, which the Filipino Music Awards 2026 highlighted.
Dedicated to celebrating the best of OPM, the FMAs came through on their promise by bringing together dozens of artists and creatives and thousands of fans who watched, sang, and danced for a night of performances and award speeches. You really just had to be there. But if you weren’t, that’s ok, as we’re bringing you the lowdown of what went down inside the Mall of Asia Arena.
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Inside the Filipino Music Awards 2026
MOA Arena was awash in Filipino music as musicians, artists, celebrities, and creatives walked the red carpetRed CarpetThe high-profile arrival area at premieres, award ceremonies, and galas, where celebrities pose in carefully chosen fashion for photographers. Red carpet looks generate headlines, define trends, and elevate designers, andGo to Red Carpet Glossary while fans took their seats. From OPM legends, established artists, and rising stars, it was a who’s who of personalities from SB19, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Ashtine Olviga, Maki, and more. They were more than ready to celebrate local music in their Filipino-inspired looks.
Inside the arena, fans filled the lower and upper box sections, while the entire standing floor was converted into the seating area for the celebrities, complete with tables and a catering area at the back. As such, the entire floor section of MOA Arena looked like one big dining room where good food, good company, and especially good music were on the agenda. The area’s open arrangement also allowed for fun interactions and link-ups between friends and fellow artists, much to the joy of fans watching from their seats.
Following a pre-show segment hosted by Gen Z musician Jeremy Glinoga, the main show kicked off with an opening performance by Maki, who entertained the crowd with a colorful medley of his hits: Bughaw, kahel na langit, Namumula, and a reworked version of Dilaw. From the outfits to the stage design, the performance was rooted in childhood nostalgia that added to the fun.
Right after Maki was Kamikazee, who had the crowd singing along to their timeless classic Narda before being joined by Janine Berdin during Huling Sayaw. It made for a thrilling opening number that highlighted two generations of OPM music and artists. The evening’s hosts, Joey Mead King, KC Montero, and Billy Crawford, then officially welcomed everyone to the Filipino Music Awards 2026 as they hyped the crowd on what was to come as well as how the nominations for this year’s show were determined.
Speaking of nominations, the first batch of categories under The Genre Awards were announced. P-pop girl group VVINK’s budots-coded Baduy took home Pop Song of the Year, an unexpected but welcome development given how stacked the category was. Even the girls were surprised by it, as they weren’t even in the room when they were announced as winners. IV OF SPADES’ hit track Kabisado won Alternative Song of the Year, while Skusta Clee and Flow G’s inescapable earworm Since Day One was named Hip-Hop Song of the Year.
What Would It Take (For You To Realize The True Evil In This World?) by Typecast won Rock Song of the Year, as Ben&Ben’s Lifetime (Reimagined) was awarded Alternative Song of the Year. In an FMA first, R&B Song of the Year resulted in a tie between Denise Julia’s LOVE AGAIN and Sinigang by ALAMAT.
P-pop then took the spotlight with a medley of performances from several P-pop groups, giving the rising genre its moment as part of OPM. BGYO kicked things off with a sensual performance of Sinta in the crowd before moving to the stage to sing Fresh. KAIA moved like angels with their dreamy performance of hulog, which was followed by VXON’s powerful stage for their track sikretong malupet. G22 owned the stage as the queens that they are with their performance of Filipina Queen, as the medley came to a close with ALAMAT turning up the sensual vibes with Sinigang.
Fan Favorites and Legacy Icons
The categories under People’s Choice Awards were up next, with all the winners determined by public voting via polls. SB19 cleaned house as they won both People’s Choice Artist and People’s Choice Song for VISA. BTS, meanwhile, was named People’s Choice International Artist. Finally, KAIA was awarded People’s Choice Bingo Plus Star of the Night, which also included a check for 100,000 pesos for the group.
The ceremony took a sentimental turn as the next group of performances saw Inigo Pascual, Zephanie, and Kyle Echarri hit the stage to sing love songs, which culminated in a showstopping duet between Kyla and Eric Santos of Pagbigyang Muli.
The second-to-last category group of the FMAs was the Legacy Awards, which were extra special in how these awards honored icons, legends, and institutions that have left a lasting impact on OPM. In recognition of over four decades as a barrier-breaking artist, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was met with a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd. Music Foundation of the Year went to Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-Aawit for their decades spent advocating for the rights, welfare, and proper treatment of Filipino singers and creatives.
ABS-CBN Music, which is the home label of many of today’s top artists, was named Music Company of the Year. Lastly, the late-great Filipino hip-hop trailblazer Francis Magalona was bestowed the Tribute Award, which was accepted by his wife, Pia Magalona, and daughter Maxene.
Closing Out the Night With a Bang
As the FMAs reached its final act, Gary Valenciano delivered a rousing performance that had the crowd on their feet and proved yet again why he is Mr. Pure Energy.
When the much-awaited final awards of the program, The Grand Awards, were announced, the excitement in the arena was palpable as fans waited to see who would be taking home the night’s top honors. OPM band fitterkarma went home with Breakthrough Artist of the Year, a fitting achievement given how their 2026 was defined by two chart-topping smash songs. Tour of the Year went to BINI’s Signals World Tour 2026, much to the surprise of members Jhoanna and Maloi, who were there representing the group, since they were still on tour.
P-pop kings SB19 took home their third and final award of the night when their record-breaking Wakas At Simula: The Trilogy Concert Finale last April was named Concert of the Year. Filipino hip-hop had a big moment at the FMAs when Skusta Clee and Flow G’s Since Day One triumphed as Song of the Year.
Maki earned the first FMA of his career when KOLORCOASTER won Album of the Year, a feat made more memorable by how it’s for his debut studio album. Finally, for the last award of the night, Artist of the Year went to BINI as Jhoanna and Maloi were visibly taken aback by the announcement. The two fought back tears as they thanked fans for their support and said they were proud to help champion OPM on the world stage.
The night ended with a thrilling finale performance to remember from Flow G, Skusta Clee, and Parokya Ni Edgar, complete with backup dancers, pyrotechnics, and surprise guests including Elmo Magalona. It all made for an evening that brought together artists, creatives, and fans in celebrating OPM.
Featured Image and Photos: Courtesy of the Filipino Music Awards
Frequently Asked Questions
BINI won Artist of the Year, with members Jhoanna and Maloi accepting on the group’s behalf while they were still on tour. The group also won Tour of the Year for its Signals World Tour 2026.
SB19 won three awards: People’s Choice Artist, People’s Choice Song for “VISA,” and Concert of the Year for their record-breaking Wakas At Simula: The Trilogy Concert Finale.
Skusta Clee and Flow G’s “Since Day One” won Song of the Year and also took Hip-Hop Song of the Year.
Maki won Album of the Year for KOLORCOASTER, his debut studio album. It was the first Filipino Music Awards win of his career, and he had also opened the show with a medley of his hits.
Regine Velasquez-Alcasid received the Lifetime Achievement Award for over four decades as a barrier-breaking artist. The Tribute Award went to Francis Magalona, accepted by his wife, Pia Magalona, and daughter Maxene.
