The SUDI Awards will recognize top artists like Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, Ben&Ben and SB19 for their exceptional contributions to Filipino music from 2021 to 2023.
The Philippines has a vibrant music industry supported by numerous award-giving bodies that recognize outstanding musical talent. Some of the most notable include the Awit Awards, MYX Music Awards, PMPC Star Awards for Music and Wish Music Awards. While these awards celebrate Original Pilipino Music (OPM), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has institutionalized a distinct honor: the SUDI Awards.
“SUDI” — an Ilokano adjective meaning illustrious, renowned, celebrated or famous — is the national music award that aims to recognize the outstanding contributions of Filipino musical works, creators, institutions and researchers across all genres and modes of production, adhering to the highest standards of artistic excellence.
Established in 2020, the SUDI Awards commemorate 20 exemplary musical achievements — be they individual artists, musical works, journals, cultural organizations or institutions — that have shaped the nation’s musical landscape over the decades. While the awards are granted annually, the SUDI Awarding ceremony is held every three years.
Last November 21, 2024, the jury convened, deliberated and selected the awardees for the year 2021-2023. The esteemed Board of Jury included: National Artist Ryan Cayabyab (chairman), Ma. Cristina Arceo-Dumlao, Roberto Barreiro, Noel Cabangon, Dr. Felipe de Leon Jr., Lucenio Letaba, Dr. Grace Nono, Vadim Sisenand “Moy” Ortiz, Dr. Raul Sunico, Dr. Arwin Tan and Melchor Villen.
The recipients of the SUDI Awards are as follows:
2021: Ben&Ben, Cebu Arts Foundation, Inc. (for the Cebu Popular Music Festival), MSU-IIT Integrated Performing Arts Guild
2022: Coke Bolipata, Gary Valenciano, Maria Alexandra Chua, Regine Velasquez, SB19
2023: Dr. Marie Jocelyn Marfil, UST Singers, Vincent De Jesus
A Lifetime Achievement Award will be conferred upon the National Music Competitions for Young Artists Foundation, Inc. (NAMCYA) for its decades-long dedication to fostering musical talent across the Philippines.
Spearheaded by the NCCA, in coordination with the SUDI National Music Awards Technical Working Group, headed by this author, the awarding ceremony is scheduled for July 27, 2025 at the historic Metropolitan Theater, as part of the annual celebration of the Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP) during the last week of July pursuant to Proclamation No. 933.
