Make way for ‘Popstar Royalty’ Sarah Geronimo—Billboard’s first Filipina Women in Music Honoree.
A young contestant on a talent show two decades ago, Sarah Geronimo is now a Philippine music icon, making a name for herself in both OPM and in the global scene. With her unmatched versatility, tireless dedication, and enduring influence in shaping the music industry both in the country and beyond—Sarah Geronimo now makes history as the first Filipina to be honored with the Global Force award at the Billboard’s Women in Music annual awards show.
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The award revolutionizes women in today’s sound, and this marks a significant turning point in the history of Filipina representation on the international stage. The recognition of Geronimo’s brilliant career and immense impact reinforces her as a trailblazer in providing OPM and Filipina artists a broader appreciation worldwide. Because of this, here are three reasons why she deserves the award:
1. Geronimo is committed to her unparalleled artistry.
She cares about her craft and growth as an artist—and it shows. Her powerhouse voice and heartfelt lyrics resonate with the Filipino crowd, and she can show off her vocal prowess performing Celine Dion or Whitney Houston or singing along to her dance hits Kilometro and Tala with a stability only veteran and exceptional artists such as herself could achieve. Over the years, her own style and sound have diversified and transformed from diva ballads to an eclectic mix of soul, dance, R&B, and rock. With experimentation and the embrace of various genres, Geronimo isn’t afraid to tread unfamiliar waters and deliver something new and interesting with a vehement attitude and intensity—and of course, love for her craft.
2. She commands the stage like no other.
Geronimo’s creativity and genius prowess stands out in electrifying and unforgettable performances with dance choreography and soulful vocals. At her sold-out 20th anniversary concert just last year, she enthralled the audience by performing new choreography for her viral hit Tala, and a revitalized rendition of her earlier hits, Sa Iyo. She also debuted My Mind, an upbeat collaboration with Billy Crawford, and sang Healing, an emotionally-charged piece written by KZ Tandingan. Geronimo curated a captivating setlist of her iconic hits, even treating fans with a mesmerizing medley of songs from the movies she starred in: Paano Ba Magmahal, Maybe This Time, and Fallin’, and A Very Special Love. With a repertoire of over 40 songs, the three and a half-hour concert culminates in a spectacular dance performance for an encore. In every performance and show, Geronimo gives her audience 110%, captivating them with her unmatched talent and further establishing her status as a true icon in OPM.
3. She is authentic in her music and public persona.
As a public figure, Geronimo continues to command the most loyal of fans and supporters in her music and personality, and the result? Sold-out shows at a time when other foreign acts are dominating the country’s biggest venues.
Taking complete ownership of her art is a commitment she strives to uphold. When she started as a recording artist, Geronimo shared that she had no hand in the creative process. Nevertheless, she gave life to every lyric and note—until she could pick the songs for her own albums and tell her own story. Now, in every project, Geronimo’s voice, choices, narrative, and style shines in her work and her art.
PHOTOS: Sarah Geronimo (Via Instagram)
