17th Star Awards for Music 2026: Full List of Nominees and What to Expect

The Philippine music scene is buzzing with excitement as the 17th PMPC Star Awards for Music officially unveils its nominees for 2026. Scheduled for June 25, 2026, at the Teatrino Promenade in Greenhills, San Juan City, this year's ceremony promises to be one of the most competitive and star-studded in recent memory. With TJ Monterde leading the pack with eight nominations, followed closely by SB19 with seven and BINI with six, the awards night is shaping up to be a landmark celebration of Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

Organized by PMPC Star Awards Inc. under President Fernan de Guzman and Overall Chairman Mell Navarro, the event will be directed by Calvin Murphy Neria and produced in partnership with Echo Jham Entertainment Production. Major sponsor PlayTime will also present special Fan Favorite awards, giving fans a chance to vote for their favorite acts.

Song of the Year: A Tight Race

The Song of the Year category is arguably the most hotly contested this year, featuring seven of the biggest OPM hits that dominated streaming platforms and radio airwaves:

• "Salamin Salamin" – BINI (Star Music)


• "Palagi" – TJ Monterde (Cornerstone Entertainment)


• "Dilaw" – Maki (Tarsier Records)


• "Multo" – Cup of Joe (Viva Records)


• "Nami-miss Ko Na" – Lola Amour (Warner Music Philippines)


• "Marilag" – Dionela (UMG Philippines / EMI Records)


• "Sa Bawat Sandali" – Amiel Sol (Ivory Music)

Each of these tracks has become an anthem in its own right. BINI's "Salamin Salamin" dominated TikTok challenges and streaming charts, while TJ Monterde's "Palagi" became a wedding and romance staple. Maki's breakout hit "Dilaw" resonated deeply with Gen Z listeners, and Cup of Joe's "Multo" showcased the band's signature indie-pop storytelling.

Album of the Year: Powerhouse Lineup

This year's Album of the Year category reflects the incredible diversity and depth of OPM's current output. From girl group pop to folk-rock to experimental solo work, the nominated albums represent the full spectrum of Filipino musical talent:

• Talaarawan – BINI (Star Music)


• The Traveller Across Dimensions – Ben&Ben (Ben&Ben Music / Sony Music Philippines)


• Method Adaptor – Ely Buendia (Sony Music Philippines / Offshore)


• Sariling Mundo – TJ Monterde (Cornerstone Entertainment)


• Lola Amour – Lola Amour (Warner Music Philippines)


• MU – Arthur Miguel (Warner Music Philippines)


• jgh – James Reid (Careless Music / Sony Music Philippines)

BINI's Talaarawan has been a cultural phenomenon, cementing the nation's girl group as a dominant force in the industry. Meanwhile, Ben&Ben's The Traveller Across Dimensions continues their tradition of emotionally rich folk-pop, and Ely Buendia's Method Adaptor proves that the legendary Eraserheads frontman remains as creatively vital as ever.

Concert of the Year: Spectacular Live Productions

Filipino artists have been staging some of the most impressive concerts in Southeast Asia, and this year's Concert of the Year nominees highlight just how far OPM live production has come:

• "The King 4-Ever" – Martin Nievera (Dir. Dudz Teraña)


• "Pure Energy: One More Time" – Gary Valenciano (Dir. Paolo Valenciano)


• "Regine Rocks: The Repeat" – Regine Velasquez (Dir. Paolo Valenciano & Cacai Mitra)


• "Ogieoke 2: Reimagined" – Ogie Alcasid (Dir. Paolo Bustamante)


• "Sariling Mundo" – TJ Monterde (Dir. John Prats)


• "Juan Karlos: Live" – Juan Karlos (Dir. Paolo Valenciano)


• "Seatbelts On!" – Cup of Joe (Dir. Paolo Valenciano)


• "Pagtatag! World Tour (Manila)" – SB19 (Dir. Justin De Dios)

The variety here is remarkable — from the veteran mastery of Gary Valenciano and Regine Velasquez to the explosive energy of SB19's world tour, each nomination represents a unique concert experience. SB19's "Pagtatag! World Tour" in particular demonstrated the global appeal of P-pop, with sold-out shows across multiple continents.

Duo/Group Artist of the Year

This category showcases the incredible strength of OPM's group scene. The nominees are:

• Ben&Ben – The Traveller Across Dimensions


• BINI – Talaarawan


• Cup of Joe – "Multo"


• Lola Amour – Lola Amour


• SB19 – "Kalakal"


• Sponge Cola – "Tatlong Buwan"


• The Juans – "Puwede Ba Kitang Ligawan"

It's a testament to the health of the group scene that bands like Sponge Cola, who have been making music for nearly two decades, are still competing alongside fresh new acts like Cup of Joe and Lola Amour.

Recording Artists of the Year

Female Recording Artist of the Year

The female category is stacked with powerhouse vocalists including Moira dela Torre ("San Ka Na"), KZ Tandingan ("Toyo"), Jayda Avanzado ("Right Lover, Wrong Time"), Klarisse De Guzman ("Minamahal Pa Rin Ako"), and newcomer Dia Mate ("Ganda-Gandahan") among others. Each artist brings a distinct style and emotional depth to their work, making this one of the hardest categories to predict.

Male Recording Artist of the Year

The men's category is equally competitive, with Darren Espanto ("Iyo"), Juan Karlos ("Tanga Mo Juan"), Maki ("Dilaw"), TJ Monterde ("Sariling Mundo"), Arthur Nery ("Pagsamo" era), and others vying for the trophy. Arthur Nery's continued dominance in the acoustic R&B space has made him one of the most streamed Filipino artists globally.

Special Awards: Celebrating Lifetime Achievement

This year's Star Awards will honor two living legends with the Pilita Corrales Lifetime Achievement Award: veteran singer-actress Celeste Legaspi and rap icon Andrew E. Both artists have shaped the Philippine music landscape across multiple decades — Celeste Legaspi for her timeless ballads and Andrew E. for pioneering Pinoy hip-hop.

The Parangal Levi Celerio Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Mon del Rosario, recognizing his contributions as a composer and musical director.

New Artists: The Next Generation

The New Artist categories are always exciting because they reveal where OPM is headed next. This year's nominees include:

New Female Recording Artist: Alyssa Muhlach, Andrea Gutierrez, Debbie Lopez, Graciel Hizon, Isha Ponti, Liana Castillo, Ryannah J, Shierrah

New Male Recording Artist: Dwayne Garcia, Frank Lloyd Mamaril, Gaz Magalona, Kiel, Marko Rudio, MC4D, Serlwin Rey

New Groups: FINA, FINIX, PIX!E, RAYA, Sugar N' Spice, VVINK, Ziren (Female); 12th Street, 6ENSE, Five Fingers, Formula 5, Magic Voyz, Neo, News:ID, SYNC (Male)

The rise of P-pop groups is unmistakable here, with numerous new girl and boy groups debuting and making an immediate impact on the charts.

Genre Categories: Depth and Diversity

Rock and Alternative

The Rock Artist category features legendary names like Ely Buendia, Itchyworms, Mayonnaise, Sandwich, and IV Of Spades, alongside newer acts like Bandang Lapis and Sunkissed Lola. It's a beautiful mix of OPM rock veterans and the new wave of Filipino rock.

Rap and Hip-Hop

The Philippine rap scene continues its golden era with nominees Flow G, Gloc-9, Shanti Dope, Hev Abi, Skusta Clee, and Alex Bruce all earning nods. The Collaboration of the Year nomination for "Kalakal" by SB19 featuring Gloc-9 highlights the exciting cross-genre collaborations happening in OPM today.

R&B and Acoustic

R&B remains a strong force in OPM, with both Male R&B (James Reid, Inigo Pascual, Stell, Kris Lawrence) and Female R&B (Dia Mate, Karylle, Klarisse De Guzman, Marion Aunor) categories reflecting the genre's popularity. Meanwhile, the acoustic categories celebrate the stripped-down, emotionally raw side of Filipino music with artists like Moira dela Torre, Ice Seguerra, and TJ Monterde all representing.

What This Year's Nominations Tell Us About OPM

Looking at the full list of nominees for the 17th Star Awards for Music, several trends stand out:

1. P-pop is here to stay. With BINI, SB19, and numerous new groups earning nominations, the Pinoy pop movement has moved firmly into the mainstream.

2. Genre fluidity is the norm. Artists like TJ Monterde and Juan Karlos effortlessly cross between pop, rock, and acoustic, reflecting how today's listeners don't care about genre labels.

3. Veterans and newcomers coexist beautifully. The fact that legends like Gary Valenciano and Ely Buendia are nominated alongside fresh faces like Cup of Joe and Maki shows that OPM honors its roots while embracing the future.

4. Streaming success translates to awards recognition. Nearly every nominated song has millions of streams on Spotify and YouTube, proving that the awards are increasingly aligned with what audiences are actually listening to.

Conclusion

The 17th Star Awards for Music, happening on June 25 at Teatrino Promenade, promises to be an unforgettable night celebrating the best of OPM. With TJ Monterde leading with eight nominations, SB19 close behind with seven, and BINI earning six, the competition is fierce — but the real winner is Philippine music itself.

As OPM continues to gain global recognition, events like the Star Awards remind us why Filipino music resonates so deeply: it tells our stories, speaks our languages, and reflects our shared experiences. Whether you're rooting for your favorite P-pop group, a veteran balladeer, or an emerging rapper, there's something to celebrate at this year's ceremony.

Mark your calendars for June 25 — it's going to be a night to remember.

Featured image: Calgary Folk Music Festival 2023 audience viewing main stage concert. Photo by JollyJamboree — Wikimedia Commons, CC0.