The Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) has unveiled a bold and forward-looking roadmap for the future of Original Pilipino Music during a press conference held at Viva Café on April 14, signaling a transformative new chapter for the local music landscape.
Led by newly appointed PARI President Enzo Valdez, the announcement laid out an expansive development plan designed to strengthen the ecosystem for artists, labels, and music fans alike. The event drew strong backing from 35 recording label members and six partner music organizations, reflecting unified industry support behind PARI’s renewed direction.
At the heart of the roadmap is the upcoming 39th Awit Awards, set to be the most inclusive edition in its history. For the first time, non-member and independent artists will be allowed to submit entries, opening the doors wider to a more diverse and representative pool of Filipino musical talent.
To further elevate credibility and participation, PARI is introducing the Awit Voting Community (AVC)—a structured voting body composed of past Awit Awards judges, recent finalists, and designated representatives from member labels. This ensures a balanced, experienced, and transparent selection process for nominees and winners.
This year’s awards will also introduce two major new categories: Songwriter of the Year and Producer of the Year, recognizing the creative forces behind the music and highlighting excellence in songwriting and production.
PARI also formalized strategic collaborations with key industry organizations, including Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-Aawit (OPM), FILSCAP, Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino (AMP), Music Copyright Administrators of the Philippines (MCAP), Philippine Recorded Music Rights (PRM), and Sound Recording Rights Society, Inc.. These groups will play active roles in major PARI events, including on-stage presentations and program participation at the 39th Awit Awards.
Production for the Awit Awards and the Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino Awards will be handled in partnership with Go Live Asia, led by Nico Faustino, Ranice Faustino, and Paolo Valenciano, ensuring a world-class staging experience. The Awit Awards Night is scheduled for September at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, while the Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino Awards will be held in October at the historic Goldenberg Mansion.
Looking ahead, PARI is also launching AwitFest this January—a large-scale music festival featuring leading OPM artists and international performers, including acts from Japan through the Japan Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA/MAJ), creating a cross-cultural stage for artistic exchange. The festival will be produced by Go Live Asia and is designed to position Filipino music within a broader global context.
Proceeds from AwitFest will help fund the development of the Awit Museum, a long-term cultural project envisioned as a living archive of Philippine music history. The museum will showcase iconic recordings, memorabilia, and interactive exhibits while also serving as an educational hub for future generations of artists, songwriters, and producers.
PARI also announced the upcoming release of Official PARI Certification Plaques starting May 2026, formalizing recognition of commercial milestones achieved by artists and record labels.
“This is a defining moment for the Philippine music industry,” said Valdez. “We are opening doors wider than ever before—embracing independent artists, strengthening partnerships, and connecting Filipino music to the global stage.”
PARI Chairman Antonio M. Ocampo emphasized the long-term vision behind these initiatives, noting the organization’s commitment to sustainable growth, innovation, and global competitiveness for Filipino music.
With these sweeping developments, PARI signals a new era defined by inclusivity, collaboration, and artistic excellence across the Philippine music industry.
