Earlier this month, Sarah Geronimo made history. The Philippine Popstar Royalty became the first full-blooded Filipina to receive the Billboard Women in Music Global Force Award. And in her speech, she dedicated the award to “every amazing, excellent Filipina, Filipino artist back home and all over the world.”
Surely enough, the country is a treasure trove of artists waiting to be discovered by wider audiences. Pinay musicians, in particular, bring something unique to the musical table.
There’s a certain sense of strength and vulnerability in the way they tell their stories. And this delicate balance adds depth and interesting nooks and crannies to our country’s musical landscape.
In honor of Women’s Month this March, we’re rounding up five Filipinas making waves in the scene. Keep reading, and discover artists who deserve a spot on your playlist — and in your heart.
Just in case you missed it, mrld was named the Spotify Radar Artist of the Year at the 9th Wish Music Awards in January. With no more than 15 songs in her budding discography, at least on Spotify, she won the award recognizing the OPM artist with the most streams on the streaming giant in 2023.
Meriel De Jesus in real life, the singer-songwriter hails from Cebu. She made her debut during the pandemic with “An Art Gallery Could Never Be As Unique As You.” The song, released under O/C Records, is a guitar- and piano-driven ditty that reveres the uniqueness of the narrator’s muse.
This is her biggest hit to date, and it introduces a husky-voiced artist who’s utterly authentic (and not afraid to give her songs a memorably long title). What succeeds her hit debut is a string of originals that highlight her artistic flexibility. From “Ligaya” and “Ikaw Pa Rin” to “Maligayang Pagkunwari,” she easily swerves from lilting ballads to acoustic-leaning alt-pop tunes.
Want to hear more of her uniqueness? Listen to her modern take on Rivermaya’s “If.”
Rising singer-songwriter jikamarie rose to fame when she debuted her single, “lutang,” in the middle of the pandemic in 2021. As of writing, her chart-topping track has already garnered over 24 million streams on Spotify.
“I believe it’s one of the reasons why I think people love it — they relate to it so much. I’ve gotten a lot of comments saying that I’ve voiced out their sentiments that they couldn’t put into words, which I’m half glad and half sad that my frustration is shared with so many young people like me,” the singer-songwriter said in a press release.
With her latest “L0VER G!RL” EP, which was released earlier in January, the R&B artist has delved deeper into the relatable romantic issues of the Filipino youth. The five-track EP playfully narrates the stages of being in love. Confusion, longing, pain, and acceptance revolve around it.
The viral pop star has also recently created a buzz as she opened the British pop-rock band Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” tour in Manila. Surreal as it may seem for the artist, it was a huge collective milestone for women in the scene. It marked an important moment of recognition as she took on the role of the front act for one of the most acclaimed tours worldwide.
There’s always something beguiling when it comes to songs crafted in the artist’s native tongue. And it couldn’t be more true for tracks written by dwta, a proud musical “enchantress” from Bicol who intricately brings her hometown’s rich heritage to the mainstream spotlight through music.
Jhasmine Villanueva, who goes by the name “dwta” — a stylized combination of the Filipino words “diwa” and “tala” — is fearless in telling stories that are authentically hers. The Filipina music-maker confidently converses with her listeners in Bicolano; she strives to resonate with them on a profoundly personal level by making good use of music, a language that’s universally understood.
It’s evident in her hits like the Awit Award-winning “Padaba Taka,” where she vividly illustrates how Bicolanos express love, and “Santigwar,” a creative narration of a blossoming love intertwined with Bicolano folklore tales and indigenous beliefs. Her storytelling talent has made her one of the fastest-rising acts in the country, and her artistic vision shines in her every piece. With her goal of putting Bicol music on the map, dwta’s passion for her craft has never been more meaningful.
“…Gusto ko [na] ganun ‘yung maging impact niya sa buong mundo — na kahit ‘di maintindihan ‘yung lenggwahe, pero sa sariling atin ‘yung ginagamit natin,” she shared in a Roadshow interview.
Explore more of dwta’s spell-binding tracks, including “Panganoron,” “An Satuyang Istorya,” and her latest collaboration with Arthur Miguel titled, “Tahan Na.”
OPM singer-songwriter DENȲ isn’t just your average R&B and hip-hop artist — she’s a rising star.
DENȲ’s journey began as a session musician for the Because’s band in 2019. However, her talent couldn’t remain hidden for long. Pushed by her mentors, she pursued her passion for music and showcased her artistry with her first independent single, “Weakness.”
As a proud member of the WAYBETTR collective, a powerhouse of emerging artists, DENȲ is definitely a Filipina artist to listen to right now. Her approach to music is influenced by her admiration for acts like BTS. Drawing inspiration from these musical giants, she’s been crafting songs that strike a chord with her over 1.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
DENȲ’s journey boasts an impressive array of tracks, including fan favorites such as “Alam Ko Na,” “Mahiyain,” “Say My Name,” and “Don’t Love the Same,” all available for streaming. Her chart-topping hit “Gusto With Ya,” which put her into the limelight, now has over 30.6 million streams on Spotify as of writing.
Dubbed the “Nation’s Girl Group” of the current generation, the ladies of BINI bring straightforward yet fun bubblegum pop to the scene. Their name, short for “binibini” (or young lady), captures what they wish to represent: the embodiment of an empowered, modern Filipina who could serve as an inspiration for Gen Z.
The eight-piece P-pop powerhouse — comprising Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena — made their way into the spotlight with a fresh spin on “Da Coconut Nut” in 2020. They officially debuted with “Born to Win” a year later, infusing P-pop with their distinct feminine flair.
Building on the momentum of their flourishing career, they celebrated this year’s International Women’s Day by releasing their first mini album, the “Talaarawan” EP. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect as they are currently enjoying a newfound surge in popularity, thanks to their smash hit, “Pantropiko.”
This viral song has come a long way, garnering 6 million streams, peaking at No. 3 on Spotify’s Philippines Viral Charts and No. 38 on Global Viral Charts. While waiting for their first solo concert at the New Frontier Theater this June 28, shower them some love and give their newest EP a listen.
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