KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Rocking their way to the top with an explosive performance, Cagayan de Oro’s powerhouse contingent Groundzero was officially crowned the Grand Champion of the highly anticipated 2026 T’nalak Battle of the Bands.
The high-stakes musical showdown, held as a major highlight of the province’s milestone 60th Foundation Anniversary and 27th T’nalak Festival, drew top-tier musical talents from across Mindanao to compete for regional rock supremacy.
Following a night of intense musicality and crowd-thumping energy, Zenruh from Bukidnon secured the 1st Runner-Up spot, while the 4J’s Band hailing from Kabacan clinched the 2nd Runner-Up position.
Jimmy Gayanilo, the Battle of the Bands Coordinator, praised the unmatched level of musicianship displayed during this year’s landmark iteration, noting that the selection process was incredibly tight for the panel of judges.
“The caliber of talent we witnessed tonight on the T’nalak stage was absolutely phenomenal,” Gayanilo said. “Mindanao is overflowing with world-class musical artists, and Groundzero, along with our runners-up, proved that the regional rock scene is alive, thriving, and ready for the grandest stages.”
Gayanilo added that expanding the competition to cater to elite bands across different provinces in Mindanao has successfully elevated the prestige of the T’nalak Festival’s musical events.
“Our vision this year was to give our local audience a premium, concert-level experience while providing these hardworking bands a massive platform to showcase their identity and original artistry. Groundzero brought an undeniable energy that captured both the judges and the crowd from the very first chord,” Gayanilo explained.
The Battle of the Bands, which is led by the Office of the Provincial Human Resource Officer, stands as one of the festival’s absolute crowd-favorites, cementing South Cotabato’s reputation not only as a cultural and agricultural powerhouse but also as a premier hub for modern entertainment and youth expression in the region.
