Coke Studio celebrated 10 years of OPM with BINI, KZ Tandingan, Ben&Ben, and Al James at a concert filled with music, memorable moments, and collaborations.
Coke Studio brought a decade of Filipino music and artistry to life with its “Dinig ang Pinas” concert on November 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena. The milestone event gathered some of the country’s biggest music acts, including BINI, KZ Tandingan, Ben&Ben, and Al James. P-pop girl group G22 and singer Earl Agustin also warmed up the crowd as special guests during the pre-show.
The concert celebrated 10 years of showcasing Original Pilipino Music (OPM), giving each performer a chance to revisit their musical journeys and share their signature sounds with thousands of fans.
KZ Tandingan Opens the Night with Powerful Vocals and Heartfelt Stories
Kicking off the festivities was Asia’s Soul Supreme KZ Tandingan, who returned to the Coke Studio stage for the fourth time. She immediately captured the audience’s attention with a powerful rendition of her song “Toyo.”
However, KZ did more than showcase her vocal prowess. She kept the energy alive with her playful banter and invited the crowd to sing along to her medley of Eraserheads classics. The medley featured “Alapaap,” “Pare Ko,” “Magasin,” and “Ang Huling El Bimbo.” She even turned the sing-along into a fun challenge, repeating the exercise three times to get everyone involved.
For her next set, KZ shifted to a more personal and emotional performance. She sang “Sinong Magmamahal Sa ‘Kin?” to celebrate her journey as an independent artist. She also introduced an original song she created for Coke Studio’s 10th season, which paid tribute to her Bisaya roots.
The singer then reflected on her humble beginnings and the dreams that brought her to the stage. She shared how her family’s unwavering support encouraged her to pursue music despite the uncertainties ahead.
KZ recalled arriving in Manila with nothing but her passion for music. Although she nearly gave up along the way, she continued to push forward. She described this determination through the phrase “isang sagwan pa,” reminding herself to keep going whenever the journey became difficult.
Now celebrating nearly 15 years in the industry, KZ performed “Bugsay” before closing her set with her powerful rendition of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.”
Al James and Ben&Ben Brings Different Sounds to the Stage
Following KZ’s emotional set, Al James changed the atmosphere with his laid-back yet infectious hip-hop sound. The rapper got the audience moving with “PSG,” “Repeat,” and “Pahinga.”
As a familiar name in the Coke Studio community, he also revisited “Ride Slow,” his collaboration for the music platform. He wrapped up his performance with two of his popular tracks, “Pa-Umaga” and “Ngayong Gabi,” keeping the crowd energized until the final beat.
The concert then took a folk-pop turn as Ben&Ben stepped onto the stage. The nine-member band opened with “Saranggola,” a heartfelt song that celebrates the beauty of friendship.
The performance also marked a special moment for the group. Ben&Ben celebrated its ninth anniversary while reuniting with Coke Studio for its milestone 10th season. The band performed with its complete nine-member lineup, before drummer Jam Villanueva’s departure.
Moreover, the group treated fans to “Baybayin,” a fresh take on its 2018 song “Balik-Balikan.” They followed it with two crowd favorites, “Maybe the Night” and a reimagined version of “Lifetime.”
BINI Turns the Arena into a Celebration of Filipino Pop
As the night progressed, BINI took the excitement to another level. The nation’s girl group opened its set with “OXYGEN,” its contribution to Coke Studio’s 10th season.
The members expressed their happiness and gratitude for joining the anniversary lineup. Aiah shared how thrilled they were to be part of the milestone celebration, while Gwen said the group felt honored to represent this year’s roster of performers.
BINI then performed “Unang Kilig,” the feel-good track they submitted for Grammy Awards consideration. The group continued with its hit song “Lagi,” sending fans into a frenzy.
The members also took a moment to celebrate Mikha’s upcoming birthday. The audience happily joined in and sang a birthday greeting for the birthday girl. In addition, BINI showcased its vocal abilities with an a cappella introduction to “Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi.” The group followed this with another Coke Studio track, “Blooming.”
But the surprises did not end there. BINI invited four lucky Blooms onto the stage for a “Pantropiko” dance challenge. The selected fans joined the members in showing off their dance moves, making the moment even more special for everyone in the arena. The group then performed the hit alongside the audience to close its set.
To cap off the celebration, all four headliners reunited for a special collaboration. KZ Tandingan, Ben&Ben, and Al James joined BINI onstage for a performance of “Sumabay Ka,” bringing the evening to a memorable close.
A heartfelt thank you to the Coke Studio team for inviting Pop Journal to be part of this special celebration of Filipino music!
Photos: Hilmar Dela Cruz
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