The Philippine Arena became the epicenter of local music on July 5, 2025, as Puregold OPM Con 2025 brought together a powerhouse lineup that represented the pulse of today’s OPM scene.
From SB19 and BINI’s global stage presence to rising girl groups G22 and KAIA, the show also featured the grit and lyrical fire of Flow G and Skusta Clee, and the emotional punch of SunKissed Lola. But it didn’t stop there—special guests with deep roots and lasting marks on the Philippine music industry made sure this wasn’t just another concert. It was a once-in-a-year moment. If you weren’t there, here’s what you missed.
BINI, recognized as the Nation's Girl Group, opened the show with a full live band setup, similar to their two-day sold-out concert at the Philippine Arena earlier this year. They performed "Karera," "Cherry on Top," and "Secrets," all arranged for live instruments, which gave the songs a fuller and more dynamic sound. It was a strong showcase of how much they have grown, from fresh rookies to confident leaders in the P-pop scene. A surprise appearance by James Reid for Di Bale added a new layer to the set, pairing BINI's crisp vocals with Reid's laid-back tone in a performance that balanced fan appeal with musical polish.
They closed with Shagidi, which took an unexpected turn when Stell of SB19, Charlotte of KAIA, and Alfea of G22 joined them onstage for a high-energy dance break. It was a quick but powerful moment that showed how much BINI is at the center of today's P-pop movement. It was not just about delivering a great set. It was about building connections, pushing boundaries, and proving they can hold the spotlight while lifting others too.
KAIA came in strong with a set that showed off their vocals and stage presence. They performed KAYA (You Did It), Dalawa, Walang Biruan, and Turn Up, sticking to their R&B pop sound while keeping everything sharp and synchronized. In the middle of their set, they paused to share how performing at the Philippine Arena had always been a dream. It was a short but meaningful moment that showed how far they’ve come since their trainee days.
Before closing, they performed TANGA, which led into one of the biggest surprises of the night. Instead of ending the set on their own, they brought out Mayonnaise for a live performance of Jopay. The collaboration bridged OPM across styles and generations, showing that KAIA knows how to mix things up and make space for iconic names while standing strong as part of the new generation.
Sunkissed Lola brought a different energy to the stage with a full band setup and a setlist that hit both fun and sentimental notes. They opened with White Toyota, Huwag Kang Paasa, Pakisabi, and Kamekameha, keeping the crowd locked in with their mix of soul, pop rock, and a little bit of playful chaos. In the middle of their set, they shared how special it was to be performing at the Philippine Arena for the first time. Their music blends strong melodies with everyday storytelling, creating songs that feel both personal and familiar to many Filipinos.
They closed with Pasilyo, the viral ballad that first pushed them into the spotlight. It was a solid ending that showed how their sound continues to connect with listeners across different generations and scenes.
G22 lit up the stage with confidence and presence from the moment they stepped out. They opened their set with Filipina Queen, followed by the bold and infectious PA PA PALABAN, then shifted into a more emotional tone with a soulful version of Babalik. The group looked surreal onstage: poised, powerful, and stunning from every angle. In between songs, they thanked the crowd and shared how meaningful it was to be performing at the Philippine Arena for the first time.
The highlight came when they sang Salamat by Yeng Constantino. The audience was already singing along when Yeng herself walked out and joined them. The collaboration between G22 and one of the most iconic voices in OPM turned into a powerful moment of connection and respect. It was not just a surprise. It was a shared celebration of past and present in one of the biggest venues in the country.
Flow G delivered a set that reminded everyone why he is one of the most respected rap artists in the country right now. He opened with Unli, Praning, and Araw-Araw Love/Ebeb, backed by a live band that included strings and brass. The addition of violins and trumpets gave his tracks a bigger, cinematic feel that pushed his sound to another level. Somewhere between street and stage, he proved that he is a true hip hop star in full blooded Filipino skin.
In between songs, he took a moment to acknowledge the gravity of the night, saying this was the biggest crowd he had ever performed for. He followed it with High-Score and the widely known Rapstar, delivered with full force and no shortcuts. Flow G has always had the bars, but that night he had the presence to match. He might just be one of the best rap artists in the Philippines right now, and if this show proved anything, it is that he belongs in the Philippine Arena just right. He closed his set with Gwolf, sealing the performance with impact and precision.
Skusta Clee opened strong with Karma, setting the tone for a full-on performance that mixed vocals, dancing, and even a little guitar work. He followed it up with Dyosa, Dance Wit' U, and the viral hit Sa Susunod Nalang, showing range across both hype tracks and slower, more emotional moments. At one point, he brought out a guitar and danced through his set, proving he was fully committed to giving everything onstage.
He later performed Kalimutan Ka, taking things to a more reflective place before ending with Lagabog, his signature track that landed with force. Throughout the night, Skusta Clee was open about how nervous he had been leading up to the show, saying he had spent weeks preparing for this stage. But by the end of his set, it was clear he had nothing left to prove. He showed that he belongs in the Philippine Arena, too.
After their sets, Flow G and Skusta Clee returned to the stage together for a special performance of Nasa Atin ang Panalo, a themed track made for Puregold. The collaboration showed how much chemistry they still have, not just as artists but as longtime friends who built their careers side by side. It was a reminder that OPM hip hop is not just about solo moments or competition. There is space for all kinds of voices, especially when shared with someone who has been there from the start. The performance was sharp, well executed, and capped off their appearances with a strong sense of unity.
Closing the night was none other than SB19, the group that opened the doors for P-pop and helped shape what it is today. They opened their set with DAM, followed by the powerful CRIMZONE and Quit, delivering high-energy choreography and vocals with their usual precision. After the initial run, they took a quick break to greet their A'TIN and kept the momentum going without slowing down.
The next major moment came when they performed Liwanag sa Dilim and surprised the audience by bringing out Rico Blanco, the original artist behind the track and one of the most respected names in OPM rock. What started as a cover turned into a collaboration that blurred the lines between generations and genres.
After the performance, they went straight into DUNGKA, but this time they brought Rico Blanco back: not to sing, but to dance! SB19 turned the stage into a full-on celebration by also bringing out Sheena of BINI, along with members of KAIA and G22, joining them in the choreography. It was loud, fun, and completely unexpected. The finale felt less like a single group's moment and more like a statement of how far the entire scene has come and how connected all these acts have become.
All acts returned to the stage for one last performance of Nasa Atin ang Panalo, Puregold’s official theme song for the event. As a final surprise, they brought out Aling Puring herself to dance with everyone onstage, ending the night with a bang. It was a closing number that tied everything together: a celebration of music, unity, and the Filipino spirit.
Puregold delivered on its promise of an OPM dream lineup. Every major genre had its moment, every artist owned their space, and no one was left behind. Each act brought something different to the table, proving that OPM is not defined by one sound or style. It is built on diversity, passion, and the artists who live and breathe it.
With a lineup this strong, Puregold OPM Con deserves to become a yearly tradition. More than just a concert, it was a reminder of what OPM stands for and what it can still become. If nights like this continue, there is no question that OPM will keep growing: not just in charts or streams, but in the hearts of the people it was made for.
Words by Arielle Elep
Photos by Christian Melanie Lee