The following is a list of notable events that are related to Philippine music in 2016.
Events
January January 1 – Myx introduces the four new VJs of the channel, Sharlene San Pedro, Jairus Aquino, Sarah Carlos and Alex Diaz. January 9 – Members from the classic line-up of Rivermaya consisting of Perf de Castro, Nathan Azarcon, Mark Escueta and Rico Blanco reunite at 19 East, Taguig City after an invitation from de Castro following his gig. The gig, which they dubbed as a "secret semi-reunion", was composed of Blanco on keyboards, de Castro on guitars, Azarcon on bass guitar and Escueta on drums. Blanco and de Castro simultaneously switch over lead vocals all throughout the performance while Azarcon and Escueta provided backing vocals. Bamboo Mañalac was invited as well, however it was reported that he was out of the country on that date. January 24 – During an episode of Sunday PinaSaya on GMA Network, Julie Anne San Jose receives her triple platinum award for her 2nd album, Deeper. January 26 – Darren Espanto takes 7 awards including the Young Artist of the Year award in the 1st Wish Music Awards at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, organized by FM radio station Wish 1075. January 31 – Alden Richards, the other half of the phenomenal loveteam Aldub, receives his triple platinum award for his best-selling album, Wish I May, during an episode of Sunday Pinasaya, also on GMA. January 31 – After 10 years, rapper Gloc-9 signed a record deal with Star Music the music arm of ABS-CBN Corporation and the record label who introduced Gloc-9 to mainstream listeners. Two of the most successful albums of Gloc-9, G9 and Ako Si... were released under Star Records back in 2003 and 2005 respectively. These albums brought Gloc-9's biggest smash hits with songs like Simpleng Tao and Hinahanap Ng Puso (feat. Hannah Romawac of Session Road). January 31 – Ebe Dancel, formerly the vocalist of Sugarfree launched his album "Bawat Daan" at Eastwood Central Plaza. The album art, which features Ebe on a stroll through UP Los Baños' Freedom Park, conjures up a picture of nostalgia, and yet, it is also a movement towards a new chapter for his artistry. Coincidentally, the musician tells the crowd that this album launch is somewhat a send-off party for him, as he moves back to his hometown of Los Baños, Laguna. The song from which the album gets its name, Bawat Daan, is an ode to a lover, the only constant in a world of doubts. It was originally composed for the stage musical Sa Wakas, which featured the music of Sugarfree. He officially launched it in Entablado Cafe in Los Baños on March 10.
February February 20 – The song AlDub You, MaAlden Kita, composed by Ritchi Ramos and Richie Austria crowns as the winner of the AlDub Songwriting Contest organized by Eat Bulaga! February 29 – Ma. Jinky Banzon of Barangay 360, Santa Cruz, Manila crowns as the grand champion of the Tinig ng Maynila held at the San Andres Sports Complex. The competition was a project between the Manila government and Viva Live.
March March 15 – Nadine Lustre has 5 wins (Favorite Song, Favorite Collaboration with James Reid, Favorite Music Video, Favorite Artist and Favorite Female Artist). While Abra won the first Best Music Video. And, Ogie Alcasid was the MYX Magna Awardee. March 30 – The music of late rapper Francis Magalona is used for the musical Three Stars and a Sun, as the closing presentation of the Philippine Educational Theater Association's 47th theater season.
April April 23 – Yohan Hwang, a Korean tourist based in Manila, bags the first Grand Touristar title of the reality competition show I Love OPM at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila in Pasay.
May May 15 – ASAP launched two singing groups, the ASAP Birit Queens, composed of Jona, Morissette, Klarisse de Guzman and Angeline Quinto and the ASAP Soul Sessions, composed of Jason Dy, Daryl Ong, Jay R, KZ Tandingan and Kyla.
July July 17 – The all-male group Tres Kantos, of Bugoy Drilon, Jovit Baldivino, and former Tawag ng Tanghalan contestant Dominador Aviola, also known as Daddy D, mentored by Erik Santos was named the first winner of the celebrity competition We Love OPM during the show's live finale at Resorts World Manila. July 23 – Di Na Muli, interpreted by Itchyworms, wins this year's Philippine Popular Music Festival held at the KIA Theater.
August August 1 – Myx introduced two new other VJs, Sunny Kim and Donny Pangilinan. August 27 – Joshua Oliveros, coached by Lea Salonga won the third season of The Voice Kids held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila.
September September 15 – Billboard Philippines was officially launched.
November November 11 - Female singing champions Kyla, Angeline Quinto, KZ Tandingan and Yeng Constantino, collectively known as DIVAS staged their first concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum called DIVAS Live in Manila.
December December 11 – Niel Murillo, Russell Reyes, Ford Valencia, Tristan Ramirez and Joao Constancia were named as the winners of the Pinoy Boyband Superstar and they will officially be called BoybandPH.
Debuts
Soloist Bailey May Darlene Vibares Derrick Monasterio Gabby Alipe JC de Vera Kenneth Rey Parsad (psalmist during the Pope Francis' mass in the Manila Cathedral in 2015) Liza Soberano Ylona Garcia Zeus Collins
Bands/groups Moombahton Players Ex Battalion CH4RMD Top One Project (T.O.P.) Sugar 'N Spice #Hashtags Migz and Maya BoybandPH Apartel Leanne and Naara Banna Harbera
Reunion/comebacks Donna Cruz
Albums released The following albums are released in 2016 locally. Note: All soundtracks are not included in this list. Date released Title Artist(s) Label(s) Source January 3 Swinging the Kundiman Ramon Jacinto RJ Productions January 11 Sa 'Yo Lamang: Papuri at Inspirasyon Noel Cabangon Universal Records, Jesuit Communications January 22 Darlene Vibares Darlene Vibares MCA Music January 27 Liwanag Aicelle Santos HomeWorkz Music January 28 Tom's Story Tom's Story IndependentJanuary 29 Miro Valera Miro ValeraWarner Music Philippines Skin Sud January 31 How I Love CRWN and Jess Connelly Independent February 12 December Avenue December Avenue Tower of Doom February 15 Stellar JC de Vera Ivory Music and Video February 21 Now and Forever Donna Cruz Star Music February 26 Light of Day Yolanda Moon Terno Recordings February 29 Transparent Gracenote Warner Music Philippines, Soupstar EntertainmentMarch 4 Forever Young Anne Curtis Viva Records Bago Sam ConcepcionUniversal Records March 18 Still Kenneth Rey Parsad April 1 For The Rest of My Life Mayonnaise Warner Music Philippines, Yellow Room Music Philippines April 5 Derrick Monasterio Derrick Monasterio GMA Records April 8 Ikaw Ang Buhay Ko Ogie Alcasid Universal Records April 15 Logiclub X1 Various Artists Futurestudio, MCA MusicMay 6 Dekada Bassilyo MCA Music Medyo Serious Banda ni Kleggy Warner Music Philippines May 13 #Hashtags #Hashtags Star Music May 16 Top One Project (T.O.P.) Top One Project (T.O.P.) GMA Records May 19 TJ Monterde TJ Monterde PolyEast Records May 20 EDM (Enchong Dee Moves) Enchong Dee Star Music Be With Me Darren Espanto MCA Music Life of a Champion Quest Warner Music Philippines May 28 10 Pieces Jim Paredes Independent May 30 Kahapon... Ngayon Martin Nievera PolyEast Records June 2 Of the Bed MoonwlkIndependentJune 3 Persistence EP Banna Harbera Tim Pavino Tim PavinoStar Music June 5 Sukli Gloc-9June 10 What You Want Rayver Cruz Cheats Cheats Independent June 17 Sab Sabrina MCA Music June 20 Now Playing: Myrtle Myrtle Sarrosa Ivory Music and VideoJune 24 Chapter 8 Eurika Aika Records, Warner Music Philippines Limerence Brisom Warner Music Philippines June 26 @Primetime Gary Valenciano Star Music July 16 A La Hoy! Giniling Festival Terno RecordingsJuly 17 Chasing the Light Julie Anne San Jose GMA Records Hiling Mark Carpio Warner Music Philippines July 27 Life Songs: MMK 25 Commemorative Album Various ArtistsStar Music August 5 My Name Is Ylona Garcia Ylona GarciaAugust 19 Michael Michael Pangilinan Sinag Tala Sponge ColaUniversal RecordsSeptember 2 Solenn Solenn Heussaff Sings Your Favorite Love Songs Richard Poon Sanguine Run Dorothy IndependentSeptember 9 Sa Panaginip Lang The Ryan Cayabyab Singers Curve Entertainment Third Culture Kid NINNO Futurestudio, MCA Music September 12 Ultimate Jennylyn Mercado Ivory Music and Video September 15 Migz & Maya Migz & Maya Star MusicSeptember 23 It's Me, Kyle Kyle Echarri MCA Music Salubungan Johnoy Danao Universal Records September 26 Richard x Richard: The Chinito Crooners Richard Poon and Richard Yap Star Music September 29 Inner Play Apartel Offshore MusicSeptember 30 Papunta Pabalik Autotelic MCA Music Elmo Elmo Magalona Universal RecordsOctober 7 Elha Elha NymphaMCA Music A New Strain Gabby Alipe Catharsis Charice Star Music October 10 Say It Again Alden Richards GMA Records October 14 Vina Morales (30th Anniversary Album) Vina Morales Star Music October 17 Pogi Years Old Parokya ni Edgar Universal RecordsOctober 21 Inigo Pascual Inigo PascualStar Music To The Moon & Back Alexa Ilacad October 22 Romancing RJ Ramon Jacinto RJ Productions December 9 Taurus Pino G PolyEast Records December 16 Again & Against MilesExperience MCA Music December 17 Ben&Ben Ben&Ben Warner Music Philippines December 19 Karla Estrada Karla Estrada Star Music
Concerts and music festivals
January–March