KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — One South (Active Talents Guild), hailed as Mindanao’s only Pinoy Pop (PPOP) group, brought pride to Koronadal City and the entire region after receiving a Cultural Excellence Award during the 10th PPOP Music Awards held on November 29 at the historic Metropolitan Theater in Manila.
The recognition placed One South among 10 PPOP groups honored in the annual Philippine Popular Music Awards, an event that highlights not only chart performance, but the broader contribution of artists in strengthening Filipino pop culture, identity, and creative expression. For One South, the award affirmed that talent from Mindanao can compete and shine on the same national stage often dominated by groups and productions from larger urban centers.
The win is more than a trophy: it is a signal that South Cotabato’s creative economy is gaining national traction, opening doors for broader opportunities such as collaborations, performances, and cultural exchanges that can benefit young artists and local creative communities. The group’s achievement also strengthens Koronadal City’s growing reputation as a hub for emerging talent in music, dance, and youth-led cultural movements.
To ensure the group’s successful participation in the Manila-based event, Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. provided an aide to assist One South, a gesture that underscored the provincial government’s support system for homegrown achievers representing the province in high-profile platforms.
Supporting local performers who carry the province’s identity on national platforms is part of building long-term cultural pride especially for the youth by showing that commitment, discipline, and artistry can translate into recognition and bigger opportunities.
