Original Pilipino Music (OPM) continues to thrive as Kuya Daniel Razon, BMPI-Wish 107.5 CEO and President, led the awarding to top Filipino musical artists and those who made a huge contribution to the local music scene through the Wish Music Award. 

Kuya Daniel or KDR said during the event that Original Pilipino Music (OPM) is amazing needs to keep going. 

“Let us continue to create wonderful music God willing. And with all of you, the simple wish that started everything could loudly be heard across the globe,” stressed the innovator of Wish 107.5. “Wishful music that journeys across multitudes of hearts and a fast ride that travels the young space of emotions.”

“In the last five years, we have wished a lot. Those whispers became loud utter of hope and prayer. And God willing, our wish can reach more.” Kuya Daniel further added.

Wish 107.5 started the year 2020 with the highly-anticipated 5th Wish Music Awards (WMA) that took place at the Mall of Asia Arena last January 19, 2020.

Over 60 artists were nominees for 18 different categories. But unlike the previous years, the 5th Wish Music Awards was dominated by various music groups.

This year, KDR introduced a new set of awards that will be given to promising and established artists who make world-class Filipino music.

5th WMA Big Winners

One of the big winners in the 5th WMA was SB19, the fast-rising idol boy group of the Philippines. The group won several awards, including Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year, Wish Breakthrough Artist of the Year, and the Wishers’ Choice Award, wherein the group shared with Asia’s Pop Sweetheart, Julie Anne San Jose.

“We could barely sleep when we knew we were going to perform in the Wish Bus. But winning an award in the Wish Music Awards felt like a dream,” said the SB19.

The indie-folk pop band, Ben&Ben, was also among the big winners in the 5th WMA. The group bagged two awards: Wish Group of the Year and the Wishclusive Urban Performance of the Year.

“Thank you, Wish, for always supporting not only us but every single artist that you interviewed a while ago and also, every single artist that is present tonight,” said Miguel Benjamin Guico of Ben&Ben.

Apart from the bagging the Ballad Performance of the Year, the singer-songwriter, KZ Tandingan also received recognition as the Artist of the Year.

“I did not expect it. It was a super proud moment for me because that memory of me recording the song in the [Wish] Bus has now a tangible remembrance,” KZ Tandingan in an interview.

Inaugural Special Awards

This year, Wish 107.5 also gave three special awards for the individuals that have left a significant mark in the Philippine music industry.

The “KDR Icon of Music and Philanthropy Award” was given to the renowned violinist and founder of Casa San Miguel, Mr. Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata for his advocacy, ‘Playing It Forward.’  Through Bolipata’s initiative, he encourages his scholars to share their talents with other aspiring musicians for free.

Meanwhile, Maestro Ryan Cayabyab received the first “KDR Icon of Musical Excellence Award” for his notable contribution to the Philippine music industry.

“It was like a wow moment for me because it’s the first time they are giving out this type of award and secondly, Wish 107.5 has been a big help for OPM. That’s why I wasn’t hesitant to say ‘yes!’ because I know Wish is one of the instruments in doing things like this,” said National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab.

And also for the first time, Wish 107.5 has bestowed the “Hall of Fame Award” to  Asia’s Phoenix, Morissette. The young artist has bagged a total of 10 major awards, 5 special recognitions, and 12 elite circle awards since the first WMA. Because of these recognitions, she has given around P1 million to her chosen beneficiaries.

Apart from witnessing the awards, the fans also enjoyed the live performances of their favorite artists such as KZ Tandingan, SB19, and Ben&Ben.

Written by Samantha Baluyot