SEVERAL talented women were honored at the 2024 Billboard Women in Music Awards at the YouTube Theatre at the Hollywood Park in California on Wednesday, March 6.
Here, female artists from all around the world were given acknowledgment for the impact they’ve made on the music industry. Some notable names that received awards were Charlie XCX, Ice Spice, Kylie Minogue, NewJeans, and the Philippines’ very own Sarah Geronimo.
During the event, Geronimo received the Global Force Award alongside Annalisa, an Italian artist, and Luisa Sonza, a Brazilian singer and songwriter. This makes her the first Filipina ever to win this award.
This award is given to artists as an acknowledgment of the impact they’ve made worldwide.
Given the acclaim Geronimo has received for songs like Tala, Hangganan, and Treading Water among many other hits, it’s no wonder that she was one of the recipients.
Making Filipinos proud
In her acceptance speech, Geronimo said that the recognition was a symbol of courage and hope.
“Courage to accept and embrace oneself, courage to break boundaries and defy standards, courage to rise above all setbacks and challenges that one artist or one person has to face,” she said, glowing.
“And the hope – the hope that one day, this recognition will bridge the Philippines and other nations to create change and positivity in the world through the power of music.”
In her interview with Billboard’s Rania Aniftos and Lilly Singh on what it means to be a global force, she said: “A global force means having that influence – that power to influence people – and it always comes with a big responsibility. You have to be mindful about the materials you put out there, so you have to create change and positivity towards other people.”
With the event being focused on women, Geronimo applauded how women are strong and beautiful, giving a shoutout to her very own Mommy Divine Geronimo.
“You are the best, you are my hero, [and] I love you so much,” she said with a smile.
“I cannot imagine myself being a mother – all the sacrifices that a mother has to do for their child, it’s mindblowing.”
She ended her interview by reiterating how honored she was to be there to represent the Philippines as well as Filipino music, proudly shouting: “Mabuhay ang OPM!”
