Now on its seventh year, there’s no stopping the Wish Music Awards (WMAs) from celebrating OPM’s finest.
Utilizing technology and enforcing strict health and safety measures, Wish 107.5 held the awarding ceremony virtually on Sunday, January 30, 2022. The gathering was hosted by Gretchen Ho and Xian Lim live from the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City.
The 7th Wish Music Awards winners were announced through an online event exclusively held for the nominees and record label representatives.
Also present in the virtual event were esteemed composer and musical director Louie Ocampo and premier violinist Ramon “Chino” Soberano, who received the prestigious KDR Icon of Musical Excellence and KDR Icon of Music and Philanthropy awards, respectively.
This never-before-done setup for the WMAs were held amid heightened health concerns brought forth by the Covid-19 Omicron variant.
In compliance with IATF guidelines, all on-site attendees — which included guest artists who have pre-recorded their performances, hosts, presenters, and event organizers — were fully vaccinated and tested negative against Covid-19.
The entirety of the 7th WMAs will be streamed on the Wish YouTube channel on February 6, Sunday, at 7 p.m. PHT.
Here’s the complete list of who won at the recently held awards show.
Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year
Wishclusive Ballad Performance of the Year
Wishclusive R&B Performance of the Year
Wishclusive Rock/Alternative Performance of the Year
Wishclusive Hip-hop Performance of the Year
Wishclusive Contemporary Folk Performance of the Year
Wishclusive Contemporary R&B Performance of the Year
Wishclusive Collaboration of the Year
Wish Pop Song of the Year
Wish Ballad Song of the Year
Wish R&B Song of the Year
Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year
Wish Hip-hop Song of the Year
Wish Contemporary R&B Song of the Year
Wish Contemporary Folk Song of the Year
Wish Song Collaboration of the Year
Wish Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Wish Group of the Year
Wish Artist of the Year
Wishers’ Choice: SB19
KDR Icon of Music and Philanthropy: Ramon “Chino” Alfonso Soberano
KDR Icon of Musical Excellence: Maestro Louie Ocampo
Bronze Wishclusive Elite Circle (10 million views)
Silver Wishclusive Elite Circle (25 million views)
Gold Wishclusive Elite Circle (50 million views)
Platinum Wishclusive Elite Circle (75 million views)
Especially in these uncertain times, the WMAs continue to be a premier avenue where music and charity unite — and where their combined transformative power to touch lives is put to the fore.
On Sunday, Wish 107.5 doled out a total of Php2.445 million to the winning artists and their chosen beneficiaries. Php100,000 was awarded to the charitable groups while Php25,000 was given to the winner.
The said figure also covers the cash prize worth Php70,000 given to premier violinist Chino Alfonso Soberano who was named KDR Icon of Music and Philanthropy.
“Maraming salamat sa handog na donasyon dahil instrumental ito sa aking adbokasiya: na lahat ay may karapatan na makapag-aral ng musika, kahit may pera o wala.“
Soberano, who is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in violin performance at the Arizona State University in the US, conducted free masterclasses and lectures for young violinists in the Philippines.
Prior to the surge of Covid cases due to the highly infectious variant, the 7th WMAs were originally planned to be held at the Araneta Coliseum, welcoming a certain number of live audience members.
As safety remains as Wish 107.5’s top priority, immediate changes were implemented while remaining committed to what the station has been championing since day one: to celebrate Filipino music and artists.
“Wish Music Awards is one of the most well-known awards show in the local music scene…We hope for this platform to continue and inspire more artists to work on their crafts. As artists, being able to not only share our music but also to help, is a great thing for us,” SB19, who bagged five awards, shared in an interview.
KDR Icon of Musical Excellence Louie Ocampo — the composer behind hit songs such as “Ewan” and “You Are My Song” — meanwhile summed up what makes OPM special and worth celebrating.
“[It’s] the fact that it’s Filipino-made — with all its Filipino sentiments embedded in both the music and the lyrics — in spite of all the foreign influences. It is a globally-accepted sound but it retains our soul and identity.”
When asked about receiving one of the highest accolades of the evening, he shared: “It’s very heart-warming to know that Wish 107.5 — a platform that has uplifted, sustained, and supported OPM, thus inspiring Filipino composers — recognizes my body of work through the decades.”
Don’t miss the 7th Wish Music Awards’ online broadcast on February 6, Sunday. The awards show will be streamed on the Wish YouTube channel at 7 p.m. PHT. It will feature performances from KZ Tandingan, Moira Dela Torre, Ben&Ben, SB19, The Juans, Arthur Nery, Zack Tabudlo, Zephanie, Lyca Gairanod, and VXON.
The 7th WMAs are presented by Spotify — “Listening is everything” and Medical Depot — “Your one-stop medical shop”; co-presented by Puregold — “Always Panalo”; together with major sponsors Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa — “Soothe your throat with many herbal ingredients,” Realme — “The Philippines’ No. 1 smartphone brand as awarded by Canalys and ICC,” and Executive Optical — “Love your eyes”; and minor sponsors Genesis Organic Spirulina — “A premium nutraceuticals with high-quality ingredients for its actions as immunomodulator”, Cartier Telecom — “Your latest gadget on hand”, Market Deals — “Bringing the factories right in your fingertips”, Millennial Builders — “Your trusted partner in building your dreams” and LG Electronics — “Life’s good.”
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