MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Celebrating Women’s Month, Spotify shines a spotlight on Filipinas who are shaping the Philippine audio scene with their remarkable achievements. Spotify revealed that music by Filipina artists has seen remarkable growth in popularity, with streams soaring to over 15 billion in 2023 on the platform – an increase of more than 3.5-times since 2018. This surge not only underscores their rising influence but also reflects how their music connects deeply with listeners.
The music, lyrics, and stories of these Filipinas are as diverse as they are vibrant. Spotify champions women’s voices throughout the year, notably through initiatives like EQUAL, an always-on global program committed to driving equity for women in music.
One such voice is Illest Morena, Spotify EQUAL Philippines’ Ambassador this month, who shared, “As a female artist in a male-dominated industry, being part of EQUAL has helped me reach more people through my music – not just in the Philippines but internationally as well.” Frontlining a new generation of hip-hop artists, Illest’s hits such as “Faded (Raw)” and “Slow Burn” have been gaining massive streams, with listeners from the United States, Canada, and Australia also discovering her talent.
Other Filipinas are also finding success on Spotify, expanding their global reach and deepening connections with fans. mrld, Moira dela Torre, Denise Julia and Sarah Geronimo are among the top Filipinas who have seen their music exported globally.
Beyond music, more Filipina creators are using the power of podcasts to uplift and inspire. Through podcasting, they engage in tough but necessary conversations, addressing topics vital to the Filipina experience and fostering a sense of community.
Bianca Gonzales of Paano Ba ‘To: The Podcast, Myrza Sison of You Can Do This!, and Ceej Tantengco-Malolos of 5 Minutes Lang delved into the narrative “empowered women empower women” in this episode. Their insightful discussions highlight the importance of mutual support among women, fostering empowerment and resilience.
Joelle of Paano Kung…, Jo Sebastian of The Donut Box, and Liz Lanuzo of Project Vanity also joined forces in this episode to discuss how societal norms and beauty trends affected their relationships with other women and their bodies. They shed light on how society can collectively listen to women better.
Head over to Spotify’s EQUAL Hub and EQUAL Philippines to discover a trove of inspiring Filipina voices to listen to.
