Filipino Musicians Speak Out on Industry Realities at MusikaPilipinas Discussion

Quezon City, Philippines — MusikaPilipinas brought together a diverse group of Filipino musicians on July 9 for its second roundtable discussion (RTD), titled “Tugtugan at Pagkakakitaan: Voices and Visions from the Philippine Live Music Sector.” The event focused on the realities of live performance in the country, highlighting the experiences, struggles, and aspirations of classical performers, independent musicians, and a few prominent names in the industry.

The day opened with a presentation of “Paglalarawan ng Musikerong Pilipino,” MusikaPilipinas’ national survey on Filipino musicians. Economist Marjorie Rodriguez, part of the research team, led the presentation. The data, gathered through extensive surveys and consultations, offered a snapshot of the working lives of musicians across the country. 

Rodriguez and the MusikaPilipinas team presented key insights to the RTD participants, sparking a brief but important Q&A that helped clarify terms and nuances in the data. These clarifications ensured the upcoming discussion would be rooted in shared understanding and grounded perspectives.

After a short break, the roundtable discussion began, facilitated by Lyon Lopez. With carefully crafted prompts, musicians were encouraged to speak openly about the support they’ve received—or lacked—throughout their careers. The dialogue touched on where support systems originate, the kinds of backing artists hope for, and what a truly sustainable and thriving live music industry might look like in the next five to ten years.

Among the participants who shared their insights were singer-songwriter Barbie Almalbis; John Owen Castro and Adj Jiao of the indie folk band Munimuni; Juan Gabriel Cabangon of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM); independent musician and sessionist Faye Transfiguracion; classical violinist Christian Aplaon; and emerging singer-songwriters Ela Figura and Elijah Faith Dela Cruz. Representing a wide range of genres and career stages, these artists brought authenticity to the discussion.

Also present during the discussion were representatives from the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council (PCIDC/CIDO) and the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), both attached agencies under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Their participation highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to engage directly with stakeholders in the music sector as part of its broader initiative to strengthen the country’s creative industries.

Throughout the discussion, musicians spoke about their challenges, which included inconsistent income, limited institutional support, and barriers in accessing performance opportunities. Despite the challenges, many spoke with optimism and offered thoughtful ideas on building a more inclusive, artist-centered ecosystem.

MusikaPilipinas, a government-funded research initiative, seeks to build a comprehensive understanding of the local music industry, exploring how it can be strengthened and better positioned to compete globally. Central to the initiative is listening to the real stories of those working within the industry and identifying what support systems are necessary for meaningful and sustainable growth.

With its next RTD scheduled for August in Leyte, MusikaPilipinas reaffirms its commitment to hearing from musicians across the country—not just in Metro Manila—ensuring a truly representative picture of the nation’s musical landscape.