The Philippine Association of the Record Industry, or PARI, is cooking up something big. 

PARI announced that this year will be more inclusive in that for the first time, entries will be open to non-member artists, allowing independent musicians and their managers to submit nominations across categories.

PARI is obviously rolling with the times. The association has recognized that the country’s music scene has expanded well outside the confines of the traditional record company platforms. While established record companies navigate the inevitable changes and innovations of the music scene, music artists of all shapes and sizes from all corners are also having breakthroughs. So much that independent artists are also enjoying the same success and popularity of artists from major label counterparts. PARI has since been expanding its ranks, initially adding associate labels, from boutique labels to artist management outfits that has since contributed to the larger picture of the local music scene. Officially adding independent artists will inject inclusivity and a whole new palette of colors, especially in the context of the AWIT Awards, where the best and brightest music acts are feted annually. 

Speaking of, newly installed PARI president Enzo Valdez announced the creation of “a body tasked with selecting final nominees and winners” called the Awit Voting Community. The AVC will “include Awit Awards judges and finalists from the past five years, designated representatives from PARI’s corporate and associate member labels, ensuring a credible, experienced and representative voting body.” 

PARI’s theme of inclusivity also extends to music organizations such as Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-Aawit (OPM), the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (FILSCAP), the Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino (AMP), the Music Copyright Administrators of the Philippines (MCAP), Philippine Recorded Music Rights (PRM), and the Sound Recording Rights Society, Inc. (Soundsright). Each will be represented in one shape or form on the build up to, and the actual awards ceremonies.  

PARI has partnered with Go Live Asia for the staging of both the Awit Awards and the Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino Awards with the latter’s Ranice Faustino and directors Paolo Valenciano and Nico Faustino at the helm.

PARI also unveiled the new Official PARI Certification Plaques to formally recognize the commercial achievements of artists and record labels. Ditto the events PARI mapped out that includes Go Live Asia’s AwitFest that will see participation from the Japan Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association that’ll bring Japanese music artists in a cross culture themed exchange with Pinoy artists.     

PARI Chairman Antonio M. Ocampo delivered the most important message when he said: “The direction PARI is taking over the next few years is both purposeful and exciting. We are laying the groundwork for sustained growth. One that embraces innovation, strengthens industry collaboration and ensures that Filipino music continues to thrive both local and on the global stage.”