SB19 leads 2026 Awit Awards with 12 nomination

Fresh from their successful performances abroad, SB19 also soars on the home front as it leads the 2026 Awit Awards with 12 nominations in various categories, including Album of the Year for “Simula at Wakas.

Following their historic performance at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago, USA last July, the P-pop kings will try to conquer the local scene after bagging the most nominations at the 39th edition of Awit Awards, considered the biggest award-giving stage for original Filipino music.

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In an INQUIRER Entertainment exclusive, SB19 said “Simula at Wakas” is the final part of its trilogy. The EP draws parallels in the stages of life and growth, mirrors what the group has planned for its release. The other two are “Pagsibol” and “Pagtatag!”

Released on April 25, 2025, the album included the tracks “Dam” and “Dungka!” which are also nominated Record of the Year and Song of the Year, respectively, among other categories.

Closely on SB19’s heels are IV of Spades, which had 11 nominations, and singer-songwriter Dionela, with 10.

Awit Awards is organized by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) to recognize the outstanding artists, recordings, and creative achievements that have shaped Filipino music.

The announcement of nominees marks the official start of the countdown to the country’s most prestigious celebration of Filipino recorded music.

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This year’s edition “represents a shared commitment to elevating and celebrating Filipino music on its grandest stage. Together, PARI and Go Live Asia will mount the biggest edition of the Awit Awards to date, culminating in the Grand Awards Ceremony on September 15, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, where the country’s finest artists and music creators will be honored for their outstanding achievements in recorded music,” PARI said in statement.

The awards night promises to be a world-class live spectacle, to be helmed by its creative directors Nico Faustino and Paolo Valenciano. The landmark celebration aims to bring artists, industry leaders, and music enthusiasts together for an unforgettable evening honoring the best in Filipino recorded music.

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For the first time in its history, the Awit Awards will open its doors to the public through a ticketed event, allowing music fans to witness OPM’s biggest night live at one of the country’s premier entertainment venues.

Music fans can also now view the official list of nominees for the 39th Awit Awards on the official Awit Awards and Go Live Asia Partners social media platforms. Supporters are invited to see if their favorite artists, songs, albums, and music creators have earned a coveted nomination as the countdown begins to OPM’s biggest night on September 15.

Here are the nominees and the categories:

GRAND AWARDS

Album of the Year:Silakbo — Cup of JoeAndalucia — IV of SpadeSimula at Wakas — SB19Kolorcoaster — Maki Love on Loop — Lola AmourLab Songs ng Mga Tanga — Janine Berdin

Record of the Year:Pag-Ibig Ay Kanibalismo II — FitterkarmaDam — SB19Saranggola — Ben&BenKonsensya — IV of Spades Ikigai — Dionela Featuring Loonie Monster — IV of Spades

Song of the Year:Aura — IV of Spades Pag-Ibig Ay Kanibalismo II — FitterkarmaDUNGKA! — SB19Kabisado — IV of SpadesKahel Na Langit — MakiIkigai Dionela Featuring Loonie

Best New Artist: Pieces — Gab Cabangon Grief Cake — New LoreBaduy (Single) — VVink, DJ Love (Sherwin Tuna) Feat. Pio BalbuenaBendahe — JamielaO’ Kay Tamis — It All Started in MayPanaginip — nicole 

Producer of the Year:Brian LothoIV of SpadesShadiel ChanJohn Paulo Nase (Radkidz)Joshua Daniel Nase (Radkidz)DionelaSongwriter of the Year:John Paulo Nase (Radkidz)Joshua Daniel Nase (Radkidz)Blaster SilongaDaniel Zildjian G. BenitezTim DionelaLola AmourJoao De LeonMarlon Peroramas

PERFORMANCE AWARDS

Best Performance by a Solo Artist:What If I Miss You for The Rest of My Life — Janine BerdinKahel Na Langit — Maki Clue — Noel CabangonNasusunog (Pants on Fire) — DwtaHealing (Someday I Might Fly) — Rico BlancoNandito Ako — Rob DenielSayo — Jay RBest Performance by a Group:Dam — SB19Pag-Ibig Ay Kanibalismo II — FitterkarmaMonster — IV of SpadesSaranggola — Ben&Ben Shagidi — BINIDahan — Over OctoberTelepono — One Click Straight

Best Collaboration Performance:Umaaligid — Sarah Geronimo, SB19Telepono Feat. Clara Benin — One Click Straight, Clara BeninIkigai — Dionela Featuring LoonieAhon — December Avenue feat. MorisetteKailan Ka Uuwi — Juan Karlos & Flow GPahinga — James Reid & Tj Monterde

GENRE AWARDS

Best Ballad Recording:Ahon — December Avenue Feat. Morissette Time — SB19What If I Miss You for The Rest of My Life — Janine BerdinAno Ba Talaga Tayo — The Juans Feat. Janine BerdinNagmahal Lang Ako — KZ Tandingan With You — Lola Amour

Best Pop Recording:DUNGKA! — SB19Saranggola — Ben&BenDam — SB19 Dahan — Over OctoberLangit Lupa — DwtaShagidi — BINI

Best Rock/Metal Recording:Rupture — TypecastMSK — KJWANBiktima — ChicosciBoys Night Out — WilabaliwGrace — FaspitchRarara — Dilaw

Best Alternative Recording:Telepono — One Click Straight Pag-Ibig Ay Kanibalismo II — Fitterkarma Antoxic — Janine BerdinAll U Wanna Do — Barbie Almalbis Dahan — Over OctoberKahel Na Langit — MakiMisbehave — Lola Amour

Best World Music Recording:Hardin — Luna, Apollo, Alfredo Engay JrLove on Loop — Lola AmourTitingin-Tingin — SittiSounds of Splashing Stones — HattusThe Mighty People — Hemp Republic Linlang — Hemp RepublicReprise — The Ridleys

Best Traditional/Contemporary Folk Recording:Malalim Ang Gabi — Project YazzSumpa — FitterkarmaGunigunita — NatunHardin — Ila Nosi Ba Lasi — Ej De PerioPwede Bang Mamaya? — Angela KenSayaw — IlaTahimik Na Buhay Kapiling Ka — Amiel SolTukso — Halina

Best Dance/Electronic Recording:DUNGKA! — SB19La Loba — Ena MoriMisbehave — Lola Amour8TonBall — SB19Moshpit — NovocraneUmaaligid — Sarah Geronimo, SB19Walang Kaba — Marina Summers

Best Rap/Hip-hop Recording:Ikigai — Dionela Featuring LoonieHalimaw — Gloc-9 (Feat. Abaddon, Smugglaz, Hero) Ambag — Gloc-9 (Feat. Shockra) Kailan Ka Uuwi — Juan Karlos, Flow GTake It to The — Roof Playertwo, Lola AmourAnak Ka ng Pu — Morobeats Man in The Merror — Waiian

Best Jazz Recording:Reto Na Naman — Zia QuizonThe Awakening — Kiss The Bride Life at 29 — Leanne & Naara Sidecar — Alvin CornistaLet Our Love — nicole Asensio, Solo .CalTalipanan Sunset — Alvin CornistaYamot/Ennui — Project Yazz

Best R&B Recording:Ikigai – Dionela Featuring Loonie Ayaw Baya — Arthur NeryStand Up — Kyla Baby, Wag Mo ‘Kong Ismallin ( Medium Ako) — Brass Pas Pas Pas PasKatabi — BINILife at 29 — Leanne & NaaraMagic — Jason DhakalPalayo sa Mundo – Jolianne, Arthur Nery Para Pilitin Ka — Jikamarie & Skusta Clee 

SPECIAL RECORDING AWARDS

Best Regional Recording:Basin Puhon — Earl Agustin Makananu Kang Luguran — Chocolate FactoryAyaw Baya — Arthur NeryBinibining Bicolana — Overheat Ft. ErnestDPTA — PupaPawi — Midnasty

Best Christmas Recording:Season of Smiles (2025 Edition) — The ItchywormsLove, Joy, Hope — Various ArtistsEvery Christmas — Catriona Gray Heartbroken Christmas — Jay R & Mica JavierSa Paskong Ito — Legion of Mary Community ChoirSeason’s Breeze — Tim Pavino

Best Musical Theater Recording:Celebrate — Gerald SantosGregoria Lakambini — GREGORIA LAKAMBINI (ORIGINAL CAST)Lost in Time Ice Seguerra

Best Original Soundtrack Recording:Ang Himala Ay Nasa Puso — Juan KarlosSuob (From “Meet, Greet & Bye”) — Juan KarlosGregoria Lakambini — GREGORIA LAKAMBINI (ORIGINAL CAST RECORDING)Bagong Tadhana — Julie Anne San Jose Simoy — Rob DenielBabala — JaydaHanapin Ang Sarili — Morissette Sandalan (From  “Manila’s Finest”) — Piolo Pascual

Best Recording by a Child or for Children:Dalangin –Quinn HolmesKokobom — ImogenPangarap Ko – Yass EstreraTo Be Close To Jesus — Young Voices of The PhilippinesAng Bituin — Sean BernardezMaabot Ko — Alexa MendozaSisikat Bukas — Mj Alcano

Best Novelty Recording:Baduy (Single) — VVINK, DJ Love (Sherwin Tuna) feat. Pio BalbuenaMadapaka — Kim Molina More Tawa, More Saya — Michael V, Manilyn Reynes, Boobay, Matt Lozano, Buboy VillarBongga — Vinas Deluxe Arizona B — Arizona BrandyBente – The CompanYIkaw Ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko — Rob Deniel 

Best Inspirational Recording:Nandiyan Ka — Ice Seguerra Simula — Julie Anne San JoseBless Our Darkness — Bukas Palad Music Ministry Featuring Ayee Guanio, Ali FigueroaYou Are My Shepherd — Bukas Palad Music Ministry Featuring Karylle Panghahawakan — Jason MarvinPwede Bang Mamaya? — Angela Ken

Best Instrumental Recording:Sidecar — Alvin CornistaTalipanan Sunset –Alvin CornistaThe Awakening — KTBCharity — CrwnAsh Valentine — Party Pace Hindi Ako, Kundi Tayo — Jason Quitane

Best Global Collaboration Recording:Home — Jason Dhakal, Oliver CroninBlink Twice — BINIThe Moment — Lola Amour, KOKORO of PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBEKuryente — ZIV, JolianneWithout You — AJ Rafael, Troy LauretaEGO — JAY R, SOUP PHA, JAY CHAN & SEN PEDERS 

TECHNICAL AWARDS

Best Sound Engineered Recording:Monster — IV OF SPADESSilakbo — Cup of Joe, Jovel Rivera, Abner BaduaAko Naman Muna — Syd HarthaANTOXIC — JGREG, Ben Ayes, Janine BerdinIkigai — Dionela Ash Valentine — Party PaceMSK — KJWAN

Best Musical Arrangement:Ikigai — DionelaMonster — Unique T. Salonga, Daniel Zildjian G. Benitez, Blaster Silonga, IV OF SPADESDAM — John Paulo Nase, Joshua Daniel Nase, Simon ServidaSuliranin —  Unique T. Salonga, IV OF SPADESSaranggola — Poch Barretto, Pat Lasaten, Agnes Reoma,Toni Muñoz, Jam Villanueva, Andrew De Pano, Keifer Cabugao, Paolo Benjamin, Miguel BenjaminTelepono — ONE CLICK STRAIGHT

Best Vocal Arrangement:Ikigai — DionelaWhat if I miss you for the rest of my life — JGreg, Xergio Ramos, Emil dela Rosa, TJ Castillon, Luke Casanova, Kirk Basilio, Janine BerdinKailan Ka Uuwi — juan karlos, JGREGSaranggola — Poch Barretto, Pat Lasaten, Agnes Reoma, Jam Villanueva, Toni Muñoz, Andrew De Pano, Keifer Cabugao, Paolo Benjamin, Miguel BenjaminDahan — Joshua Rafael Buizon, Joshua Caleb Lua, Janessa Geronimo, Joric Canlas, Anton RodriguezBLACK N’ WHITE — Shadiel Chan

Best Remix Recording:Hot Maria Clara (Club Mix) — FioSabi Ko Na (Remix) — Yung Bawal Daleng Dale — Theo Martel Walang Pake – Remi —  Theo Martel Jumbo Hotdog (Budots Remix) — DJ Love Prisoner Of The Mind (Analog Remix) — Marco De Leon 

Best Cover Art:Not That Girl (Album) — Martin HonasanLangit Lupa — Elyandre Dagli, DAGLI FILMSTHE MIGHTY PEOPLE — HAPPY NAVARROAura — IV OF SPADES and Shaira LunaSimula at Wakas — Louis Duran, Iana Forbes, 1032 labsKOLORCOASTER (Album) — Francine Beatrix Amor, Michael Angelo Corpuz, Pauline VillegasLAB SONGS NG MGA TANGA — Helena Troy Nonato

Best Music Video:DUNGKA! — Kerbs BalagtasAura — RaliugDam — AlanshiiiDiving — R + T (Two Fold Media) SHELTER OF THE BROKEN — MARY LIZA DIÑO & ICE SEGUERRAkahel na langit — Ingrid Ignacio & Maki