Returning live at the Big Dome this 2023, the highly anticipated 8th Wish Music Awards (WMAs) is set to gather music luminaries, top-caliber performers, rising artists, and OPM supporters for a night of music and charity.
On January 22, 2023, the WMAs will once again turn the spotlight on the top Wish Bus performances, songs, and artists of 2022.
A total of 53 musical acts are competing across 19 major categories for a chance to take home the highly coveted WMAs trophy, a cash prize worth Php25,000, and another Php100,000 for their chosen charitable organization.
Here is the 8th WMAs’ official list of nominees:
Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year
Wishclusive Ballad Performance of the Year
Wishclusive R&B Performance of the Year
Wishclusive Rock/Alternative Performance of the Year
Wishclusive Hip-hop Performance of the Year
Wishclusive Contemporary Folk Performance of the Year
Wishclusive Contemporary R&B Performance of the Year
Wishclusive Collaboration of the Year
Wish Pop Song of the Year
Wish Ballad Song of the Year
Wish R&B Song of the Year
Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year
Wish Hip-hop Song of the Year
Wish Contemporary Folk Song of the Year
Wish Contemporary R&B Song of the Year
Wish Song Collaboration of the Year
Wish Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Wish Group of the Year
Wish Artist of the Year
Wishers can help their favorite artists win an award by voting via the Wish Awards voting site or the Wish 107.5 app. The polling period begins on November 28, 2022, and ends on January 6, 2023. As in the previous installments of the award-giving endeavor, 30% of a nominee’s final score will come from Wishers’ votes. Meanwhile, the remaining 70% will come from the scores given by the WMAs’ distinct panel of judges.
A special accolade called the Wisher’s Choice Award will also be given to the nominee who will garner the highest number of votes.
On top of the major recognitions, the station will also honor OPM acts whose Wishclusive performances have garnered at least 10 million YouTube views through the Wishclusive Elite Circle award.
Another anticipated portion of the program is the bestowing of the esteemed KDR Icon awards — the KDR Icon of Musical Excellence and the KDR Icon of Music and Philanthropy. These distinctions are given to musical icons who have made a mark in the industry and to individuals who strive to make use of their musical gifts for noble deeds, respectively.
“It’s very heartwarming to know that Wish 107.5 — a platform that has uplifted, sustained, and supported OPM, thus inspiring Filipino composers — recognizes my body of work through the decades,” Maestro Louie Ocampo, who was named the KDR Icon of Musical Excellence during the previous WMAs, shared in his virtual speech.
Echoing the same gratitude and acknowledging the potency of music in fostering hope and bettering lives, premier violinist Chino Soberano, who earned the 7th WMAs KDR Icon of Music and Philanthropy title, said: “Importante ang musika para maibahagi ang diwa ng pag-asa dahil ito ay may tanyag na epekto sa damdamin at kaisipan ng tao. Kung kaya ng musika na magpasaya, magpaiyak, o magpasigla, kaya din nitong magbigay inspirasiyon at pag-asa.”
Despite years of halted shows and pandemic-prompted breaks, the live scene has pretty much returned in full swing. It is now even more vibrant than it was before, with a powerful mix of seasoned acts who have kept the music playing and a younger breed of artists who are ready to bring in fresh, new sounds.
Apart from paying homage to the wonderful people behind the thriving OPM scene, the eighth edition of the Wish Music Awards also aims to highlight the resiliency and pure talent of Filipino music creators.
“Despite the many difficulties, you continue to craft songs and innovate your sound — and you do so with a quiet fortitude that speaks volumes about your genuine intentions and priorities. And we just want you to know that we at Wish 107.5 see you and your hard work. We hear you and your music. And we are proud of all of you and your works of art,” Wish 107.5 originator Kuya Daniel Razon said in his 7th WMAs speech.
Witness the 8th Wish Music Awards live on January 22, 2023, 7 p.m. PHT, at the Araneta Coliseum. Catch the digital stream of the event in February 2023. Stay tuned to our social media pages for more updates.
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