By Evelyn Diao
Singer-songwriter Maki emerged as one of the biggest winners at the recently concluded 17th Star Awards for Music, taking home the coveted Song of the Year award for his chart-topping hit “Dilaw” during the glittering ceremonies held at the Teatrino in Greenhills.
“Dilaw,” which ranked as Google’s 10th most-searched song in the Philippines in 2024, also set a record by becoming the highest single-day streamed OPM song with 1.1 million streams. The hit further cemented Maki’s phenomenal rise after he became the male OPM artist with the most monthly Spotify listeners, reaching over 6.5 million. By August 2024, “Dilaw” had surpassed 100 million Spotify streams and was later recognized by Apple Music Philippines as one of its Top OPM Songs of 2025, landing at No. 3.
Aside from Song of the Year, Maki was also named Male Pop Artist of the Year. Although he was unable to personally receive his Song of the Year trophy due to a recording session, his victories further solidified his status as one of today’s brightest OPM stars.
Another emotional highlight of the evening came from James Reid, who won Album of the Year for “jgh.” Visibly overwhelmed, Reid thanked the PMPC for giving him his very first music award. He was also honored as Male Celebrity of the Night.
After years of being represented by her manager during previous ceremonies, Moira Dela Torre made a rare personal appearance to receive her Female Recording Artist of the Year trophy. She delighted the audience with a heartfelt performance from her award-winning album and was likewise recognized as Female Celebrity of the Night.
TJ Monterde continued his winning streak after being named Male Recording Artist of the Year and Male Concert Performer of the Year. He also shared the Collaboration of the Year award with wife KZ Tandingan for their hit duet “Palagi.” Although Monterde was unable to attend, his management team accepted the awards on his behalf.
Singer Kris Lawrence also missed the ceremonies despite winning R&B Artist of the Year. However, the audience erupted in cheers when actress Katrina Halili, Kris’ former partner, appeared onstage to accept the award for him, further fueling speculation that the two have reconciled after recently being seen together and collaborating on social media content.
Real-life brothers Paolo and Miguel Benjamin, better known as Ben&Ben, arrived early at the venue and ended the evening with yet another career milestone after winning Best Duo/Group Artist of the Year.
P-Pop powerhouse SB19 likewise dominated several major categories, winning Duo/Group Concert Performer of the Year, Concert of the Year for their “Pagtatag! World Tour (Manila)”, and Music Video of the Year for Kalakal featuring Gloc-9. They also received the special Fan Favorite Award, presented by co-presenter PlayTime, after garnering the highest number of votes in the online fan poll.
Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez turned heads with her K-pop-inspired fashion as she personally received her Female Concert Performer of the Year trophy for her successful concert “Regine Rocks: The Repeat.”
The phenomenal girl group BINI won Pop Album of the Year for “Talaarawan,” released under Star Music, while Dance Recording of the Year went to their smash hit “Salamin, Salamin.” Rising P-Pop group BILIB personally accepted their trophy for “Say Whatcha Wanna Say.”
One of the evening’s most touching moments was the presentation of the Pilita Corrales Lifetime Achievement Award to music legends Celeste Legaspi and Andrew E. Meanwhile, acclaimed songwriter Mon del Rosario received the prestigious Levi Celerio Lifetime Achievement Award, expressing heartfelt gratitude to his mentors, supporters, and PMPC. Tribute performances were rendered by Ima Castro for Celeste Legaspi, Salbakuta for Andrew E., and Chad Borja together with JV Decena, who performed some of Mon del Rosario’s timeless compositions.
The legendary ’70s hitmakers Rainmakers were also honored as Mga Natatanging Alagad ng Musikang Pilipino, delighting guests with a nostalgic performance of their hit song “Binibini.”
Hosts Jayda Avanzado and Dylan Menor received pleasant surprises of their own after winning awards during the ceremony. Jayda was named Female Pop Artist of the Year and Female Celebrity of the Night, while Dylan was recognized as Male Star of the Night. Fellow hosts Jarren Garcia and Marthena Jickain likewise earned praise for their polished hosting performance.
The star-studded evening was further energized by special performances from Jarren Garcia, Sam Concepcion, and the Revival King, Jojo Mendrez.
The 17th Star Awards for Music was produced by Echo Jham Entertainment Production, headed by Ms. Mhae Sarenas, with Calvin Murphy Neria serving as director. The event was mounted in partnership with the officers and members of PMPC Star Awards Inc., led by its current president Fernan de Guzman, with Mell Navarro as overall chairman.
The complete list of winners of the 17th Star Awards for Music follows.
Song of the Year
– “Dilaw” – Maki (Tarsier Records) Composers: Ralph William Datoon, Viktor Nhiko Sabiniano
Album of the Year
— “jgh” – James Reid (Careless Music / Sony Music Phils.)
Female Recording Artist of the Year
– Moira Dela Torre“ — San Ka Na” (UMG Philippines)
Male Recording Artist of the Year
— TJ Monterde – “Sariling Mundo” (PolyEast Records)
Duo / Group Artist of the Year
— Ben & Ben – “The Traveller Across Dimensions” (Sony Music Phils.)
Male Concert Performer of the Year
– TJ Monterde – “Sarili Nating Mundo Concert” (Cornerstone Concerts)
Female Concert Performer of the Year
– Regine Velasquez – “Regine Rocks: The Repeat” (iMusic Entertainment)
Female Pop Artist of the Year
– Jayda Avanzado – “Right Lover, Wrong Time” (UMG Philippines)
Male Pop Artist of the Year
– Maki – “Dilaw” (Tarsier Records)
Pop Album of the Year
— “Talaarawan” – BINI (Star Music)
Concert of the Year
— “Pagtatag! World Tour (Manila)” – SB19– Director: Justin De Dios
Producer: 1Z Entertainment
Duo/ Group Concert Performer of the Year
– SB19 – “Pagtatag! World Tour (Manila)”
1Z Entertainment, Black Star Entertainment Productions, KDR Music House
Music Video of the Year
— “Kalakal” – SB19 x Gloc-9; Director: Alanshiii (Alan Ante Jr.)
Producers: RADKIDZ, 1Z Entertainment
New Male Recording Artist of the Year
– Dwayne Garcia – “Taym Perst Muna” (Star Music)
New Female Recording Artist of the Year
– Debbie Lopez – “Ang Higugmaon Ka” (KB Records)
Rock Artist of the Year
— Sponge Cola – “Tatlong Buwan” (Independent)
Female R&B Artist Of The Year
— Zéla – “Pogi Boy” (AQ Prime Music)
Male R&B Artist Of the Year
— Kris Lawrence – “Within” (Vehnee Saturno Music)
Female Acoustic Artist Of the Year
— Angela Ken – “Kulimlim” (Tarsier Records)
Male Acoustic Artist Of The Year
— Juan Karlos – “Tanga Mo Juan” (Sony Music Phils.)
Collaboration Of The Year
– “Hanggang Dulo” – Jos Garcia x Nolo Lopez (Stardom Music Production) and Palagi – TJ Monterde x KZ Tandingan (Independent)
Rap Album Of The Year
— “Drugs” – Shanti Dope (Universal Records)
Rap Artist Of The Year
— Illest Morena – “Morenita” (Independent / TMP Industries)
New Female Group Artist Of The Year
— PIX!E – “Iced Coffee” (Viva Records)
New Male Group Artist Of the Year
— Five Fingers – “Lakas Mo” (Star Music / DNA Music PH)
Dance Recording of the Year
— “Say Whatcha Wanna Say” – Bilib (AQ Prime Music) and “Salamin Salamin” – BINI (Star Music)
Revival Recording Of The Year
— “Ipagpatawad Mo” – Khel Pangilinan (M Music Live)
Inspirational Song Of The Year
— “Pagmamahal sa Tinubuang Lupa” – Kayla Acosta, Kamilla Acosta, Enoch Casiño, Emilio David, Ephraim Maglaque (Independent)
Composer: Atty. Persida V. Rueda-Acosta; and “Ningas Ng Pag Asa” -Jamie Rivera Feat. 92 AD (Star Music)
Christmas Song Of The Year
— “Rainbow Christmas” – Vice Ganda (Star Music)
Composer: Vice Ganda, Jonathan Manalo, Roque “Rox” Santos, Jeremy Glinoga
Pilita Corrales Lifetime Achievement Award
— Celeste Legaspi
— Andrew E
Parangal Levi Celerio Lifetime Achievement Award
— Mon Del Rosario
Mga Natatanging Alagad ng Musikang Pilipino
— Rainmakers
Female Star of the Night
— Moira Dela Torre
Male Star of the Night
— Dylan Menor
Female Celebrity of the Night
— Jayda Avanzado
Male Celebrity of the Night
— James Reid
Playtime Fan Favorite Award
— SB19
