From A Fan's Perspective
From A Fan’s Perspective: 2025 Highlights (So Far)
So how is 2025 so far for the league? Let’s ask a longtime fan.
Anonymous Battle Fan
September 15, 2025
Fifteen years later, FlipTop continues to elevate not only battle rap, but also hip-hop in the Philippines in general. While there are naysayers who predicted the league won’t last long, well, they’re all proven wrong. As a matter of fact, it just gets stronger and stronger every year, thanks to the talented emcees and staff. Now, let’s take a look back at the many highlights of 2025 so far. These are my personal thoughts, so if you don’t agree, no need for violent reactions. You are free to share your own highlights in the comments section or on your social media page.
The 2025 edition of Isabuhay is another exciting roller coaster ride. I didn’t expect it to be as intense as last year’s competition. We’ve already seen battle-of-the-year contenders, major upsets, and game-changing performances, and we haven’t even reached the semis yet! Looking at the final four, I have a feeling things will get even more thrilling come Bwelta Balentong 12. What’s your favorite Isabuhay 2025 battle and performance so far? Let us know! As for my personal picks for the semifinals, it’s really hard to choose because each emcee has what it takes to become champion. I’ll just watch the event live and enjoy every second of it.
Outside of Isabuhay, let’s talk about Gubat 15. Yes, CripLi vs Ban and Vitrum vs J-Blaque are controversial, but there’s no denying that these matchups still satisfied our battle rap appetite. No one choked or stumbled, and each artist brought their A-game. As a fan, that’s enough for me, which is why I now believe whenever Anygma says “panalo tayong lahat” (“we’re all winners”) after a solid bout. Gubat 15 also gave us the amazing Ruffian vs Plaridhel. They further elevated their material and presence, thus giving us a vicious verbal brawl. Rapollo Mindfields, which took place the night before Gubat 15, surprised us with Sinagtala vs 1ce Water, my current favorite alter ego battle in FlipTop. My friend who lives in Cebu said the Bisaya battles are remarkable as well. The new batch of emcees has distinct styles, and they all ooze confidence.
Zoning 18 and 19 hold a special place in my heart. Not only did I watch both live, but it exceeded expectations. Many underestimated the lineup because of a perceived lack of “star power”. Both events turned out to be memorable nights for us fans. There was another battle-of-the-year candidate, plenty of close matches and style clashes, and standout performances from the new generation. The small room setup took us back to the early days. Hopefully, there will be more like these soon.
The first battle event of the year was Ahon 15 Day 3. I was also in attendance, and while it wasn’t as packed as Day 1 and 2 in December 2024, it’s still a relatively big crowd. However, I feel like the matches were overlooked on video. Day 3 gave us the awe-inspiring showdown between Plazma and Emar Industriya, the highly entertaining SlockOne vs Hazky, the heated Class G vs Karisma, and more. I hope this event will get more love in the future.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t all about the ups in 2025. On February 27, we’ve received the very sad news of Romano’s passing. The emcees, fans, family, and friends were united in grief, which shows how impactful he was to people’s lives. Rest in peace once again, Romano. Thank you for the memories. We will never forget everything you’v done for the culture.
The next event is Bwelta Balentong 12, and I can’t wait for it! For those who already have their tickets, I’ll see you on September 20! If you’re still looking, check out this article. I suggest you buy now, since tickets are selling out fast There’s still a few months left before 2025 ends and I’m ready for more unforgettable moments. FlipTop, mag-ingay!
