The 38th Awit Awards Powered by Vibe lit up the Meralco Theater last November 16, celebrating the vibrant and thriving ecosystem of Original Pilipino Music. The night saw a powerful blend of chart-dominating bands and groundbreaking technical teams take home the industry’s highest accolades, with Ben&Ben, Lola Amour, and Cup of Joe securing the night’s top three prizes.

The Grand Winners Define the Year
The most coveted awards highlighted the songs and albums that critically and commercially defined the past year:

Album of the Year: Ben&Ben was recognized for their latest record, praised for its lyrical maturity and musical depth.

Record of the Year: Lola Amour secured the win for a single lauded for its widespread appeal and critical success.

Song of the Year: Cup of Joe won for their resonant and memorable hit track, “Misteryoso.”

Performance and Technical Excellence
The performance categories showcased remarkable talent, while the technical awards underlined the high production quality of OPM today.

The nine-piece folk-pop collective Ben&Ben further solidified their dominance by winning Best Performance by a Group. The collaborative spirit was also celebrated, with the dynamic duo of Dionela (who also won Solo Artist) and Jay-R earning both Best Collaboration and Best R&B Recording.

Behind the scenes, the team of P-Pop powerhouse SB19 and the legendary Gloc-9 were recognized for their visual artistry, sweeping the awards for Best Cover Art and Best Music Video for their joint project. This acknowledged the critical role of sound engineers, arrangers, and designers in bringing music to life.

Special Honors: Recognizing OPM’s Architects
The ceremony concluded with heartfelt tributes to two figures whose influence has shaped the very foundation of the Filipino music industry:

Lifetime Achievement Award: Vic del Rosario
Veteran producer and entertainment mogul Vic del Rosario received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor recognizes his monumental, decades-long career as a visionary executive who has launched and meticulously guided the careers of countless OPM stars.

As the founder of VIVA Entertainment, del Rosario’s legacy is built on a sharp dedication to discovering and promoting Filipino talent. His work, spanning both music and film, has been crucial in building the commercial and creative infrastructure that allowed OPM to flourish for generations.

Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino: Ely Buendia
Rock icon Ely Buendia was conferred the Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino (Honour of Filipino Music) award. This high distinction is reserved for those whose body of work has achieved a profound and enduring cultural impact.

Buendia was recognized for his pioneering role in shaping Philippine rock and pop culture. As the chief songwriter and frontman for one of the most influential bands in OPM history, his innovative lyrics and groundbreaking musical style revolutionized the local scene, cementing his status as a national musical treasure.

The special awards segment served as a powerful and poignant reminder of the rich history of Filipino music, celebrating the leaders who laid the groundwork for the industry’s current success and ensuring their legacies inspire the next generation of OPM artists. The event was also proudly presented by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)

List of Winners
Grand Awards
Album of the Year – Ben&Ben
Record of the Year – Lola Amour
Song of the Year – Cup of Joe – “Misteryoso”

Performance Awards
Solo Artist – Dionela
Best Performance by a Group – Ben&Ben
Best Performance by a Solo Artist – iLA
Best Performance by a New Group – 12th Street
Best Collaboration – Dionela and Jay-R
Best Dance/Electronic Recording – BINI – “Salamin, Salamin”
Best Global Collaboration Recording – SB19, Terry Zhong – “Moonlight”

Genre Recording Awards
Best Ballad Recording – Moira, Juan Karlos
Best Rock Recording – Fast Pitch
Best Alternative Recording – Lola Amour
Best Alternative Rock Recording – Ice Seguerra
Best Rap/Hip-Hop Recording – SB19 and Gloc-9
Best Jazz Recording – Devonaire District and Alvin Cornista
Best Instrumental Recording – Alvin Cornista
Best World Music Recording – Over Heat and CamSur Made
Best Recording by a Child or for Children – Ateneo Boys Choir

Special Recording Awards
Regional Recording – Juan Karlos and Kyle Echarri + Noel Cabangon
Best Christmas Recording – Devonaire District
Original Soundtrack Recording – Regine Velasquez
Best Novelty Recording – Introvert Fiesta ft. AJi
Inspirational Recording – December Avenue
Best Pop Recording – Maki – “Dilaw”
Best R&B Recording – Jay-R and Dionela

Technical Achievement Awards
Sound Engineer of Best Winning Recording – Axel Fernandez
Best Musical Arrangement – Khalil Refuerzo
Best Vocal Arrangement – Luke Isnani, Felip Suson
Best Remix Recording – Ena Mori and Kenyema
Best Cover Art – SB19
Best Music Video – SB19 and Gloc-9

Lifetime Achievement Award – Vic del Rosario
Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino – Ely Buendia