BINI, Dionela and the sounds that defined 2024

We closed 2023 with Juan Karlos suspended in the air with his Ere and now we are closing 2024 with alt pop act Dionela who scored big with Sining featuring R&B star Jay R. He is now on the solo route with the No. 1 selling Marilag. Between them are the music of some of the most exciting music discoveries ever and of long-time favorites who continue to dominate the hit lists year after year.

- BABY A. GIL

We still had the usual hitmakers from overseas like Taylor Swift, Cruel Summer; Bruno Mars, Die with a Smile with Lady Gaga; Ariana Grande, We Can't Be Friends and others. But not a lot of them compared what the Pinoys accomplished. It was, in truth a superb year for original Filipino music. And I am happy that local acts mostly outsold the foreigners in their own turf and they also filled up concert halls.

Leading the pack was the girl group BINI which finally broke through to the big time after five years of trying. They had a sparkling summery sound that kids absolutely loved. Their hits like Pantropiko, Cherry on Top, Salamin Salamin and Karera earned them recognition here and abroad, including the MTV EMA for Best Asian Act. They also sold out the Smart Araneta Coliseum for two nights.