On January 14, the best of OPM gathered at the 9th Wish Music Awards (WMA) at the Araneta Coliseum for an evening of celebration, recognition, and of course, good music. Hosted by singers/celebrities Christian Bautista and Karylle, and popular content creators Inka Magnaye and Justine Luzares, the show was a spectacular display of how much the Filipino music industry has grown over the years.

Boasting a massive stage, set up with huge LCD screens and moving lifts reminiscent of elaborate K-pop concerts, WMA elevated the standard of local shows. The OPM community was treated to state-of-the-art lighting and effects that were on par with international concerts.

Top artists from a diverse list of categories were awarded for their invaluable contributions in the music industry for 2023. The winners were determined via online voting as well as via panel decision. Each winner was awarded a trophy and P25,000 while their respective chosen beneficiaries also got P100,000. Among the evening’s big winners were Josh Cullen, SB19 and Flow G.

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Here’s a quick rundown of the awards and performances during the 9th Wish Music Awards.

Starting the show on a high, anthemic note was rock band Dilaw with their electrifying performance of their hit songs “Orasa” and “Uhaw (Tayong Lahat)”.

• Wish Ballad Song of the Year – “Kisame” by Rhodessa
• Wish Hip-hop Song of the Year – “Rapsta” by Flow G
• Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year – “Parola” by Moonstar88
• Wish Contemporary Folk Song of the Year – “Musika” by Dionela

Things took a wild turn when Josh Cullen graced the stage to perform “Get Right” and “Wild Tonight”. His sharp dancing skills and overflowing charisma got A’TIN screaming for more. As one of the evening’s big winners, he climbed the stage 5 times to accept awards (3 on behalf of SB19 and 2 for himself as a solo artist).

• Wish Song Collaboration of the Year- “Tingin” by Cup of Joe and Janine Tenoso
• Wish R&B Song of the Year – “Di Na Babalik” by Leanne & Naara
• Wish Pop Song of the Year – “Palagi” by TJ Monterde
• Wish Contemporary R&B – “Paki Sabi” by Sunkissed Lola
• KDR Icon of Music and Philanthropy – William Guido
• KDR Icon of Music Excellence – Martin Nievera

As a tribute to the KDR Icon of Music Excellence winner, Cup of Joe performed a modern rendition of Martin Nievera’s classic songs. The veteran singer is also celebrating his 40th year in the music industry.

• Wishclusive Contemporary Folk Performance of the Year – “Bawat Piyesa” by Toneejay
• Wishclusive Ballad Performance of the Year – “Ligaya/Ang Huling El Bimbo” by The Huling El Bimbo Cast
• Wishclusive R&B Performance of the Year – “I Want You” by SB19
• Wishclusive Contemporary R&B Performance of the Year – “Pano” by Zack Tabuldo

Lola Amour and Clara Benin shared the stage for their collaboration song “Closer than Before”. Lola Amour also performed one of the most viral hits of 2023 “Raining in Manila”.

• Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year – “Gento” by SB19
• Wishclusive Rock/Alternative Performance of the Year – “Uhaw” (Tayong Lahat) by Dilaw

Folk pop band Ben&Ben serenaded the crowd with “Paninindigan Kita” and “Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay” which easily inspired a karaoke singing party in the Big Dome. All nine members of the band were in good spirits as they thanked the crowd for 2023 and wished for a better 2024 for everyone.

• Wishclusive Hip-hop Performance of the Year – “Rocksta” by Felip
• Wishclusive Collaboration of the Year – “So Close” by Spongecola and Morissette
• Spotify RADAR Philippines Artist of the Year – MRLD
• Spotify Kalye X Song of the Year – “Elevate” by Jeff Grecia
• Spotify Kalye X Artist of the Year – Flow G

Pulling out all the stops was rapper and Spotify Kalye X Artist of the Year Flow G whose stage production deserved an award by itself. He made his grand entrance while sitting on an elevated golden throne, surrounded by all the trophies he had won. On his right was an orchestra, on his left was a live band. Performing “High Score” and “Rapsta”, his embellished stage was equally matched by his spitfire rap performance that left everyone in awe.

• Wishers’ Choice – Josh Cullen
• Wish Breakthrough Artist of the Year – Josh Cullen
• Wish Group of the Year – SB19

For the finale, Rico Blanco took over to perform his latest single “Sayong sayo (Papel, Gunting, Bato)” followed by the classic “You’ll Be Safe Here” which felt like an apt ending song to an awesome evening.

2023 was another extraordinary year for OPM. We saw an influx of independent young artists that thrived in creating music in their own stories and in their own voices, reaching and influencing millions of people. Wish Music Awards did an exemplary job in honoring these talents as well as veterans in the field of Filipino music and giving them a bigger and grander stage. We hope the next show will be even grander than ever!

Special thanks to Wish 107.5!

by Sandra Mae Laureano