PMPC Star Awards for Music: 2026 Winners & Highlights
Star-studded! A celebration of Gen-Z and P-Pop powerhouses. A night for recognizing rising and breakout stars. Pure OPM magic.
That’s just how many artists and industry legends describe the 17th PMPC Star Awards, delivering one of its most electric nights yet, and where everyone had something to celebrate.
James Reid bagged the Album of the Year plum, while SB19 stole the spotlight with the most wins. OPM icon Celeste Legaspi shone, too, finally getting the flowers she’s long deserved.
So, buckle up, because this year’s list of winners at the PMPC Star Awards for Music is stacked, and we’re breaking down every single moment.
What Are the PMPC Star Awards for Music?
The PMPC (short for Philippine Movie Press Club) Star Awards for Music is an annual celebration of Filipino music talent, where veteran entertainment journalists meet to decide (and vote) on the standout songs, albums, and artists of the year.
It’s one of the country’s longest-running music honors, covering everything from pop and rap to acoustic and concert performances.
This year’s PMPC Star Awards for Music is already its 17th edition and was held at the Teatrino Promenade in Greenhills, San Juan City, MM last June 25, 2026. The venue buzzed with performers, families, and die-hard fans who came out to support their favorite acts, turning the promenade into a mini concert ground for the night.
A nomination alone is already a huge achievement for many OPM artists because it symbolizes peer and press recognition. More importantly, a nomination (and especially a win) often boosts music streaming numbers right after the show.
Many fans use the nomination as a checklist for what’s worth adding to their playlists. Meanwhile, the wider entertainment scene treats it as a snapshot of who dominated the year in Filipino music.
PMPC Star Awards for Music vs. Other OPM Awards
Let’s be clear, Star Awards isn’t like Awit Awards or MYX Music Awards that rely on fan votes for certain award categories. Instead, PMPC Star Awards focuses more on press evaluation.
So, you can expect the results to be more “objective,” rewarding artistry, craft, and chart performance, and representing the more critically respected side of OPM.
Follow Playtime, the country’s entertainment resource for major local music events and awards nights.
PMPC Star Awards for Music 2026 Winners
Here’s the info you’ve been clamoring for so long. The actual winners of the PMPC Star Awards for OPM.
As was expected, some familiar names bagged the night’s top honors, with a few breakout stars. James Reid, Moira dela Torre, Ben&Ben, TJ Monterde, and Maki led the major categories. Meanwhile, P-Pop groups SB19 and BINI added some serious star power throughout the show.
Album of the Year: James Reid’s “jgh”
This year’s Star Awards for Music Album of the Year solidified James Reid’s status as one of OPM’s most consistent hitmakers. It showcased a more mature sound, and Reid’s win reflects how much his artistry has grown over the years.
Song of the Year: Maki’s “Dilaw”
This breakout single not only earned Maki the nod of critics, bestowing it the Song of the Year award, but also allowed the young star to pick up the Male Pop Artist of the Year plum. And that made Maki one of the night’s biggest winners. “Dilaw” has been a streaming favorite since its release, so the win wasn’t really surprising to fans who’ve had it on repeat.
Recording Artist and Group Winners
Other winners at the 17th PPMPC Star Awards for Music night included…
- Moira dela Torre: Female Recording Artist of the Year
- TJ Monterde: Male Recording Artist of the Year
- Ben&Ben: Duo/Group Artist of the Year
SB19, BINI, and the P-Pop Impact
P-pop dominated the room, with SB19 walking away with the most wins, including Music Video of the Year for “Kalakal” (with Gloc-9), Concert of the Year, and Duo/Group Concert of the Year for “Pagtatag!” World Tour stop in Manila.
And then there’s BINI, running away with the Dance Recording of the Year plum for “Salamin, Salamin,” and reminding everyone why they remain a fan favorite.
For the full rundown of every category winner and behind-the-scenes moments, Playtime’s event coverage has you covered.
Biggest Highlights From the 17th PMPC Star Awards
Besides the winners taking the spotlight, this year’s PMPC Star Awards had many standout moments worth talking about.
OPM Legends and Lifetime Achievement Honors
It was a night that paid tribute to music royalty, from Celeste Legaspi and Andrew E finally receiving their Pilita Corrales Lifetime Achievement Award to Mon del Rosario earning the Parangal Levi Celerio Lifetime Achievement Award.
Rap icon Gloc-9 presented Andrew E’s award, adding an emotional touch to the ceremony. The group Rainmakers also received special recognition for 50 years in the Philippine music industry, a milestone that drew a well-deserved standing ovation.
P-Pop, Pop, Rap, and Concert Standouts
Several artists also picked up wins, beyond the major trophies, that highlighted just how wide OPM’s range has become.
- Jayda Avanzado: Female Pop Artist of the Year
- Sponge Cola: Rock Artist of the Year
- Juan Karlos Labajo: Male Acoustic Artist of the Year
- Angela Ken: Female Acoustic Artist of the Year
- Kris Lawrence: Male R&B Artist of the Year
- Zeila: Female R&B Artist of the Year
- Illest Morena: Rap Artist of the Year
- Shanti Dope: Rap Album of the Year
Vice Ganda also bagged an award (Christmas Song of the Year) for her “Rainbow Christmas.” And then there were live performances from Salbakuta, Ima Castro, Sam Concepcion, and Jarren Garcia that kept the energetic vibe pulsing through the night.
Fan Engagement and the PlayTime Fan Favorite Award
Fans weren’t mere spectators. Playtime introduced the Playtime Fan Favorite Award, allowing its readers to cast their votes online, with SB19 coming out on top (no surprise there, given their fan base). Want the full voting results (and fan reactions)? Head over to Playtime’s event coverage.
PMPC Star Awards for Music Categories to Know
Don’t worry if you’re a newbie to the PMPC Star Awards. Here’s a quick guide to its most important categories.
Song and Album Awards
We’re talking about the standout releases of the year, with the Song of the Year highlighting the single that made the biggest cultural impact. On the other hand, the Album of the Year recognizes the strongest full-length musical project.
Artist and Recording Awards
This category honors overall performance and vocal talent (across male, female, and group divisions). There are subcategories (pop, rap, and acoustic) to further break things down. That way, niche artists get their moment, too. Also, rising stars get a real shot at getting recognized at the national stage, alongside established names.
Concert and Music Video Awards
The Concert of the Year Award goes to the live show that left the biggest mark, be it a large stadium tour or a small, intimate acoustic set. On the other hand, Music Video of the Year rewards visual storytelling, elevating a song beyond audio.
Why the PMPC Music Awards Matter to Filipino Fans
The 2026 PMPC Star Awards season might seem like just another entertainment headline, but it isn’t, especially for OPM fans. This ceremony doubles as a checkpoint for the industry. It shows which artists broke through and which sounds are shaping Philippine culture.
How OPM Fans Follow Award Season
Filipino fans treat award nights like a shared event. We’re talking about group chats lighting up with predictions and X and TikTok filling up with reaction clips. Nearly everyone has an opinion on who deserved the win. Indeed, the PMPC Star Awards gives fans a reason to rally behind their favorite artists in real time.
Why Fan Voting and Digital Engagement Matter
Fan-centric categories like the Playtime Fan Favorite Award prove the role of digital engagement in shaping modern awards shows. Streaming numbers, social media buzz, and fan votes have real value. And that gives everyday listeners a real say in which OPM artists get recognized.
Want more coverage on Philippine entertainment, awards, and the artists shaping modern OPM? Head over to Playtime.
FAQ
Who won at the 17th PMPC Star Awards for Music?
James Reid (Album of the Year for “jgh”), Maki (Song of the Year for “Dilaw”), Moira Dela Torre and TJ Monterde (Female and Male Recording Artist of the Year), and Ben&Ben (Group/Duo Artist of the Year). SB19 won three trophies, while BINI won Dance Recording of the Year.
When and where was the PMPC Star Awards for Music 2026 held?
Last June 25, 2026, at the Teatrino Promenade, Greenhills, San Juan, MM.
Who won the PlayTime Fan Favorite Award?
SB19, thanks to their solid fanbase support. Check Playtime’s event recap for full details.
Where can I follow more Philippine entertainment news?
Playtime. It covers the latest in Philippine entertainment, from awards shows to artist updates, making it a solid go-to resource for OPM fans wanting to stay in the loop.
Final Part: PMPC Star Awards for Music and the Future of OPM
This year’s PMPC Star Awards proved, loud and clear, that Filipino music keeps leveling up. OPM has never felt more alive, from veteran music icons getting their laurels to P-Pop groups dominating the trophy count.
Streaming numbers, concert tours, and social media buzz all point to a Philippine music scene that keeps growing louder every year, and the ceremony captured that momentum perfectly. If the 17th Star Awards for Music is any indication, the next few years will be even bigger for homegrown talent.
Want more stories like this? Playtime brings you the latest on OPM artists, entertainment updates, and everything happening in Philippine pop culture, so you’re always in the know.
