The 37th Awit Awards: An Upbeat Celebration of OPM and the Philippine Music Industry’s Past, Present, and Future

*A full list of winners, as seen on billboardphilippines.com, will be provided at the end of the article.

This past December 4, 2024, at the Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila, PRM, as an event partner, attended the 37th Awit Awards, organized by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI). Executives, A&R professionals, and artists across various genres and record labels attended the event to celebrate Original Pinoy Music (OPM) and the great work done over the past year by local songwriters, composers, arrangers, musicians, producers, and performers. Alongside award presentations, the event featured powerful live performances from Syd Hartha, Midnasty, Joey G, Chocolate Factory, DEMI, SKYGARDEN, PCSO Chorale, Ice Seguerra, Greyhoundz, Dionela, Lola Amour, Arthur Miguel, and Jayda; showcasing OPM’s wide spectrum of sonic soundscapes.

Founded in 1969, the Awit Awards is an annual music award show that recognizes outstanding achievements in the Philippine music industry. Simply put, it is the Philippine equivalent of the Grammys, wherein the best music artists are nominated, awarded, and celebrated for their craft. The award show’s nomination process is open to record labels, big and small, who are officially recognized members of PARI. In addition, the show’s eligibility period to submit nominations is always from January 1 to December 31 of the previous year. Although the show is 55 years old, after the 1969-1971 awards, no ceremonies took place until it was resurrected in 1988, with PARI calling that ceremony the first Awit Awards show.

UMG Philippines' Dionela and Jay-R performing

This year’s show was a showcase that properly honored and celebrated the past, present, and future of OPM through its nominees, awardees, and performers. Legends and icons of the music industry such as Jay-R and the previously mentioned Ice Seguerra and Greyhoundz showed through their performances the skills and showmanship of theirs that inspired and continue to inspire artists of today. The story was the same for the awards, with Universal Records Artist and Philippine rap legend, Gloc-9, being an example, as he went home with 3 Awit Awards, winning Best Collaboration for “Walang Pumapalakpak” with Gary Valenciano, Best Rock/Metal Recording for “XXV” with Greyhoundz, and Best Original Soundtrack Recording for “Sa Duyan ng Bayan (Sindihan Song Inspired by Gomburza)” with Ebe Dancel and Noel Cabangon. In addition, Joey G, a legend in his own right, came home with the Best Performance by a Solo Artist Award for “Letting You Go”. In line with honoring OPM’s past, the show gave the lifetime achievement award to three important men in the Philippine music scene — Ramon Chuaying,  Buddy de Vera, and the late Danilo Olivares, and gave the Dangal ng Musikang Filipino Award was given to the legendary Pinoy Rock band, Parokya ni Edgar, for their achievements and contributions to the industry.

Ben&Ben’s Andrew De Pano, Agnes Reoma, and Pat Lasaten accepting the Most Streamed Artist award

Celebrating OPM’s present, some highlights include Sony Music Philippines’ Ben&Ben being awarded the title of the most streamed artist of 2023, with Warner Music Philippines’ Dilaw’s “Uhaw” being recognized as the most streamed recording of 2023 according to data from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). In addition, the nation’s girl group, Star Music’s BINI, took home the most awards for the night, with five under the fan-voted People’s Voice category, winning Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Favorite Group Artist, Favorite Music Video of the Year for “Karera”, plus Favorite Record of the Year and Favorite Song of the Year for their summer anthem “Pantropiko”. Lola Amour on the other hand, not only rocked the crowd with their live performance, but also took home 4 Awit Awards, winning Best Pop Recording, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year for their wet season smash hit “Raining in Manila”, and Best Novelty Recording for the “Raining In Manila” parody, “Waiting Here sa Pila”, with Michael V. One last example of OPM’s present being celebrated was O/C Record’s Unique’s Salonga winning album of the year for “Daisy”.

Favorite New Solo Artist winner and PolyEast Records artist Cedric Escobar posing with his Awit Award

Lastly, the future of OPM was also recognized during the night through the performances of newer acts such as SKYGARDEN, as well as the winners of the “favorite/best new act” categories, with PolyEast Record’s Cedric Escobar, Republic Records Philippines’ Yes My Love, Star Music’s Lyka Estrella, and Backspacer Records’ Uncle Bob’s Funky Seven Club getting recognition through those awards. But celebrating OPM’s future wasn’t just about the artists, but also the industry’s plans. A notable example was when it was explained that IFPI plans to establish official charts for the Philippines and Southeast Asia that will incorporate already existing charts in countries like Vietnam. In addition, there was a segment dedicated to the newly established partnership between Awit Awards and Music Awards Japan, wherein they recognized each other as legitimate award shows, thus strengthening the connection between the countries’ music industries and opening the door for more Philippines-Japan collaborations in the future.

The PRM Team at the Awit Awards

Overall, the 37th Awit Awards was a captivating evening that championed growing the Philippine music industry by recognizing the incredible achievements of artists and industry professionals over the past year, exhibiting OPM’s richness and variety, and celebrating OPM and Philippine music industry’s past, present, and future. In addition, the event served as a reminder of music’s power to bring people together under a shared love and passion, regardless of factors that may divide them. 

As a collective management organization (CMO), it is PRM’s mission to protect the licensing and intellectual property rights of artists people hold near and dear. So join the movement and support the music industry! Continue listening to OPM on all streaming platforms!

For more Philippine Music News, follow www.prm.com.ph 

Written by Raui Supnet

LIST OF FULL WINNERS AS SEEN ON BILLBOARD PHILIPPINES’ WEBSITE

Album of the Year – Daisy

Artist : Unique T. Salonga

Executive Producer : Kean Cipriano, Vicente Del Rosario Jr., Verb Del Rosario, Chynna Ortaleza-Cipriano

Record Producer : Unique T. Salonga

Record Label : O/C Records

Record of the Year – “Raining In Manila”

Artist : Lola Amour

Executive Producer : Warner Music Philippines

Record Producer : Lola Amour

Recording Engineer : Rene Serna

Record Label : Warner Music Philippines

Song of the Year – “Raining In Manila”

Composer : Pio Antonio Benitez Dumayas, Raymond Benedict Jovellano King, David Ligad Yuhico

Lyricist : Lola Amour

Record Label : Warner Music Philippines

Best Performance by a Solo Artist – “Letting You Go”

Artist : Joey G

Record Label : Icons Music / Widescope Entertainment

Best Performance by a Group – “Gento”

Artist : SB19

Record Label : Sony Music Philippines

Best Performance by a New Solo Artist – “Hawak Mo”

Artist : Lyka Estrella

Record Label : Star Music/ ABS-CBN Music

Best Performance by a New Group – “Pasabay”

Artist : Uncle Bob’s Funky Seven Club

Record Label : Backspacer Records

Best Collaboration – “Walang Pumapalakpak”

Artist : Gloc-9 feat. Gary Valenciano

Record Label : Universal Records, Inc.

Best Dance/Electronic Recording – “Gento”

Artist : SB19

Executive Producer : 1Z Entertainment/ Sony Music PhilippinesRecord

Producer : Radkids (Pablo and Josue), Simon Servida

Composer : Radkidz (Pablo and Josue)

Record Label : Sony Music Entertainment Philippines

Best Global Collaboration Recording – “Come In Out Of The Rain”

Artist : Troy Laureta, Sheryn Regis, Wendy Moten

Record Label : Star Music/ ABS-CBN Music

Best Ballad Recording – “Tapusin Na Natin ‘To” (Feat. Paolo Benjamin)

Artist : Juan Karlos

Executive Producer : Gabriel Tagadtad, Juan Karlos Labajo

Record Producer : Gabriel Tagadtad, Juan Karlos Labajo

Composer : Juan Karlos Labajo, Paolo Benjamin

Record Label : UMG Philippines

Best Rock/Metal Recording – “XXV”

Artist : Greyhoundz Featuring Gloc 9

Executive Producer : Tower Of Doom

Record Producer : Symoun Durias

Composer : Adolf Andrian Avenido, Anselmo Avenido III, Thomas Jay Brillantes, Rene Reg Rubio II

Record Label : Tower Of Doom Music

Best Alternative Recording – “Ere”

Artist : Juan Karlos

Executive Producer : Juan Karlos Labajo

Record Producer : Juan Karlos Labajo

Composer : Juan Karlos Labajo

Record Label : UMG Philippines

Best Traditional Contemporary Folk Recording – “Gabay”

Artist : syd hartha

Executive Producer : Sony Music Philippines

Record Producer : Brian Lotho

Composer : syd hartha, Chua Sabio

Record Label : Sony Music Entertainment Philippines

Best Rap/Hip-Hop Recording – “Bad Type”

Artist : Shanti Dope

Executive Producer : Universal Records, Inc.

Record Producer : Lester Paul Vaño / Rayan Castillo

Composer : Lester Paul Vaño / Shanti Dope

Record Label : Universal Records, Inc.

Best Jazz Recording – “Tawid Bago Tingin”

Artist : Debonair District

Executive Producer : Debonair District

Record Producer : Debonair District

Composer : Antonio Maria P. Cayabyab

Record Label : Warner Music Philippines

Best Instrumental Recording – “Beyond The Rizal Sky”

Instrumentalist : Alvin Cornista

Record label : Warner Music Philippines

Best World Music Recording – “Luzviminda”

Artist : Chocolate Factory

Executive Producer : Chocolate Factory, Numinous Philippines

Record Producer : Chocolate Factory, Numinous Philippines

Composer : Anthony Pangilinan, Michael Jes Regala, Louie Domingo, Mark Ocampo, Jandell HipeRecord

Label : Numinous Philippines

Best Recording by a Child or for Children – “Magmasid, Bayang Hinirang”

Artist : Young Voices of The Philippines

Executive Producer : Fr. Emmanuel L. Alfonso SJ,Jesuit Communications Foundation Inc.

Record Producer : Mark Lester Mendiola

Composer : Jude B. Roldan

Record Label : Jesuit Communications Foundation, Inc.

Best Regional Recording – “Lubi Lubi”

Artist : Faye Yupano and Project Yazz

Executive Producer : CCP

Record Producer : Krina Cayabyab

Composer : Public Domain

Record Label : Widescope Entertainment

Best Christmas Recording – “Isang Taong Lumipas”

Artist : Ryan Cayabyab, Emmy Cayabyab, Krina Cayabyab,Toma Cayabyab

Executive Producer : Ryan Cayabyab

Record Producer : Ryan Cayabyab

Composer : Ryan Cayabyab, Jose Javier Reyes

Record Label : Curve Entertainment Inc.

Best Original Soundtrack Recording – “Sa Duyan ng Bayan (Sindihan Song Inspired by Gomburza)”

Artist : Noel Cabangon, Ebe Dancel, Gloc-9

Record Label : Jesuit Communications Foundation, Inc.

Best Novelty Recording – “Waiting Here Sa Pila”

Artist : Lola Amour, Michael V.

Executive Producer : Warner Music Philippines

Record Producer : Lola Amour, Michael V

Composer : David Ligad Yuhico, Pio Antonio Benitez Dumayas,Raymond Benedict Jovellano King, Michael V

Record Label : Warner Music Philippines

Best Inspirational Recording – “Seek first”

Artist : Quest

Executive Producer : Jose Villanueva III

Record Producer : Kris Malana, Quest, Thyro Alfaro

Composer : Jose Villanueva III

Record Label : Warner Music Philippines

Best Pop Recording – “Raining in Manila”

Artist : Lola Amour

Executive Producer : Warner Music Philippines

Record Producer : Lola Amour

Composer : Piolo Antonio Benitez Dumayas, Raymond BenedictJovellano King, David Ligad Yuhico

Record Label : Warner Music Philippines

Best R&B Recording – “Oksihina”

Artist : Dionela

Executive Producer : Dionela

Record Producer : Dionela

Composer : Tim Dionela

Record Label : UMG Philippines

Best Engineered Recording – “Bibitaw Na”

Sound Engineer : Theo Martel

Recording Studio : Academy Of Rock

Record Label : Star Music/ABS-CBN Music

Best Musical Arrangement – “Dirty Linen Theme”

Musical Arranger : Rommel & Idonnah Villarico

Record Label : Star Music/ABS-CBN Music

Best Vocal Arrangement – “G.K.Y.A.M”

Vocal Arranger : Adie, Franz Sacro

Record Label : O/C Records

Best Remix Recording – “Autodeadma Remix Ft. Wooseok”

Producer: : Rox Santos

DJ (Remixer) : Theo Martel, Justine Catalan

Record Label : Starpop/ABS-CBN Music

Best Cover Art – Rebirth

Graphic Designer : Brandon P. Garcia

Cover Concept: : Gabby Alipe and John Dinopol

Record Label : Warner Music Philippines

Best Music Video – Josh Cullen – “Wild Tonight”

Producer : J. Pinto, Josh Cullen Santos, Dale Reciña, YouMeUs MNL,Blackstar Entertainment, Sony Music Philippines

Director : Josh Cullen Santos, Kerbs Balagtas

Record Label : Sony Music Entertainement Philippines

People’s Voice Category Winners

Breakthrough Artist of the Year: BINI

Favorite Music Video of the Year: BINI – “Karera”

Favorite Record of the Year: BINI – “Pantropiko”

Favorite New Group Artist: Yes My Love

Favorite Album of the Year: Belle Mariano – Somber

Favorite Collaboration: Sarah Geronimo with Bamboo – “Treading Waters”

Favorite Song of the Year: BINI – “Pantropiko”

Favorite Solo Artist: Sarah Geronimo – “Habang Buhay”

Favorite Group Artist: BINI

Favorite New Solo Artist: Cedric Escobar

Dangal ng Musikang Filipino Awardee – Parokya Ni Edgar

Lifetime Achievment Awardee – Ramon Chuaying, Buddy de Vera, Danilo Olivares (Posthumous)

Digital Platform Awardee

Most Streamed Recording: “Uhaw” by Dilaw

Most Streamed Artist: Ben&Ben