List of Filipino Bands: OPM Rock and Pop From the 70s to Now
From Pinoy rock pioneers and Manila Sound to the 90s band boom, 2000s alt-rock and today's indie-folk and P-pop: the OPM bands every Filipino music fan should know.
In this article
This list of Filipino bands walks through OPM (Original Pilipino Music) decade by decade: the Pinoy rock pioneers and Manila Sound of the 70s, the new wave and rock of the 80s, the huge 90s band boom, the 2000s alternative wave, and today's indie-folk and P-pop groups. Each table gives the act, the style and why it matters. It is not every band ever formed, but it covers the names that shaped Filipino pop and rock.
List of Filipino bands by era
| Era | Main sounds | Defining acts |
|---|---|---|
| Late 60s-70s | Pinoy rock, folk, Manila Sound, disco | Juan de la Cruz Band, Asin, Hotdog, VST & Co. |
| 80s | Folk-pop, new wave, rock | Apo Hiking Society, The Dawn, Introvoys |
| 90s | Alternative rock, pop rock, metal | Eraserheads, Rivermaya, Parokya ni Edgar, Wolfgang |
| 2000s | Alt-rock, emo, pop-punk, ska-pop | Bamboo, Sponge Cola, Hale, Kamikazee, Urbandub |
| 2010s-now | Indie-folk, retro funk, OPM ballads, P-pop | Ben&Ben, IV of Spades, December Avenue, SB19, BINI |
60s and 70s: Pinoy rock pioneers and Manila Sound
The late 60s and 70s are when Filipino musicians began writing rock and pop in their own languages and with their own stories. Radio and record labels helped Tagalog and Taglish songs reach a mass audience.
| Act | Style | Why they matter |
|---|---|---|
| Juan de la Cruz Band | Pinoy rock, blues rock | Often called pioneers of Pinoy rock; "Himig Natin" is a landmark |
| Asin | Folk rock | Socially aware songs like "Masdan Mo ang Kapaligiran" |
| Hotdog | Manila Sound, pop | Songs like "Manila" defined the breezy Manila Sound |
| VST & Co. | Disco, Manila Sound | "Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko" is a dance-floor classic |
| Apo Hiking Society | Folk-pop | Formed as students, became one of OPM's most loved trios |
Who is Sampaguita?
People often search "Sampaguita singer" when looking up 70s Pinoy rock. Sampaguita is a solo rock singer rather than a band, and she was one of the most recognisable female rock voices of that era, known for the hit "Bonggahan". She is a must-mention alongside the bands of the time.
80s rock bands list (Philippines)
Searching for an 80s rock bands list usually turns up American and British acts, but the Philippines had its own scene. Folk-pop was still huge, while new wave and harder rock took over the clubs and campus gigs.
| Act | Style | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| The Dawn | Rock, new wave | "Enveloped Ideas" and "Salamat"; one of the defining Pinoy rock bands of the decade |
| Apo Hiking Society | Folk-pop | A string of hits through the 80s, many now wedding and karaoke staples |
| Introvoys | Pop rock | Popular from the late 80s into the 90s |
| Identity Crisis | New wave | Part of the 80s new wave scene |
90s rock bands list: the OPM band boom
For many fans, the 90s were the golden age of OPM bands. Alternative rock exploded, bands packed campus fairs and bars, and their songs still fill karaoke rooms today.
| Act | Style | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Eraserheads | Alternative, pop rock | Often called the Beatles of the Philippines; "Ang Huling El Bimbo", "Pare Ko", "With A Smile" |
| Rivermaya | Pop rock, alternative | "Himala", "214", "Kisapmata" |
| Parokya ni Edgar | Rock, novelty, ballads | Funny and heartfelt songs like "Harana" and "Buloy" |
| Siakol | Rock | Working-class anthems with big sing-along choruses |
| Yano | Folk-punk | Sharp social commentary, "Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo" |
| Teeth | Alternative rock | Raw, guitar-driven 90s alt-rock |
| Wolfgang | Hard rock, metal | Heavy riffs and powerful vocals |
| Razorback | Hard rock, blues rock | Respected live band with strong musicianship |
| Truefaith | Pop, light rock | Mellow hits like "Huwag Na Lang Kaya" |
| Side A | Pop, soft rock | Polished ballads and wedding favourites |
| Color It Red | Pop rock, jazz-pop | Smooth sound and memorable female vocals |
Rock bands that start with Y
Trivia hunters often look for rock or metal bands that start with Y. In OPM, the obvious answer is Yano, the folk-punk band behind some of the most biting songs of the 90s.
2000s: alt-rock, emo and the Cebu wave
The 2000s brought a new wave of guitar bands, helped by music channels, FM radio and band competitions. Cebu stepped into the national spotlight too.
| Act | Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bamboo | Rock | Big, anthemic rock; "Noypi" and "Hallelujah" |
| Sponge Cola | Pop rock | "KLSP" and "Jeepney" |
| Hale | Alternative, ballads | Moody hits like "The Day You Said Goodnight" |
| Kamikazee | Pop-punk, rock | Energetic shows and humour |
| Urbandub | Alternative rock, post-hardcore | From Cebu; one of the city's most respected rock bands |
| Cueshé | Pop rock | From Cebu; breakthrough hit "Sorry" |
| Callalily | Pop rock | "Magbalik" became a huge hit |
| Up Dharma Down | Indie, trip-hop, electronic | "Tadhana"; a leader of the indie scene |
| Chicosci | Alternative metal | Heavy, theatrical rock |
| Sandwich | Alternative rock | "Sugod" and high-energy shows |
| Typecast | Post-hardcore, emo | Big in the emo scene |
| Franco | Alternative rock | Hard-hitting guitar rock |
| Orange and Lemons | Pop rock | "Hanggang Kailan" |
| Moonstar88 | Pop rock | "Torete" |
Cebu also has a strong scene of bands singing in Cebuano. Read our complete list of Bisrock bands for the Visayan side of the story, and our Cebu guitar guide for the instruments many of these musicians play.
2010s to now: indie-folk, OPM ballads and P-pop
Streaming changed everything. Bands could break through on Spotify and YouTube, and new genres joined the mainstream.
| Act | Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ben&Ben | Indie-folk, pop | Large band with harmonies and folk instruments; "Kathang Isip", "Maybe the Night" |
| IV of Spades | Retro funk, rock | "Mundo" and "Ilaw sa Daan" |
| December Avenue | OPM rock, ballads | Heartbreak anthems like "Kung 'Di Rin Lang Ikaw" |
| The Juans | Pop, ballads | Emotional, singalong OPM |
| Silent Sanctuary | Pop rock with strings | Romantic songs like "Ikaw Lamang" |
| SB19 | P-pop boy group | Leading the P-pop wave since the late 2010s |
| BINI | P-pop girl group | "Pantropiko" and "Salamin, Salamin" became massive hits |
Groups like SB19 and BINI are not bands in the traditional sense, but they now sit at the centre of Filipino pop. Our P-pop guide explains their rise.
How to explore OPM bands today
- Start with greatest hits. Most of the bands above have compilation playlists on streaming platforms.
- Listen by decade. Hearing the 70s, 90s and 2010s back to back shows how much OPM has changed.
- Go local. Bars and music events in Cebu and Davao still feature original bands; check local listings and our news section.
- Watch the films and documentaries. Several OPM bands have been the subject of concerts, reunions and documentaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most famous Filipino band?
The Eraserheads are often named the most influential Filipino band, especially for 90s OPM. Other names that come up often include Rivermaya, Parokya ni Edgar, APO Hiking Society and Ben&Ben.
What does OPM band mean?
OPM stands for Original Pilipino Music, so an OPM band is a Filipino band that writes and performs its own songs, in Filipino, English or regional languages.
Which famous Filipino bands come from Cebu?
Urbandub and Cueshé are two of the best-known bands from Cebu. Cebu also has a large Bisrock scene of bands singing in Cebuano.
Who were the Filipino rock bands of the 80s?
The Dawn is the best-known Pinoy rock band of the 80s, with Introvoys rising late in the decade. Apo Hiking Society dominated folk-pop during the same years.
