General
Isabuhay 2025 Semifinals (Keys to Victory)
The Isabuhay 2025 Semifinals is almost here. Let’s talk about the final four emcees and how they can advance.
Dante Romero
August 21, 2025
The semifinals of Isabuhay 2025 is upon us. So far, the tournament has already given us plenty of memorable battles and moments, and looking at the final four, it looks like things will get even more exciting. While we wait for the semis, let’s take a close look at the emcees who will be competing and how they can advance to the finals.
If you weren’t able to watch live and wish to avoid spoilers, then this is your warning. With the exception of CripLi vs Ban, the rest of the quarterfinals matches haven’t been uploaded yet, so watch out for that. The wait will be worth it! For those who are updated with the contest, let’s begin…
Lhipkram
Without a doubt, Lhipkram has the biggest advantage when it comes to experience. He gave an all-timer performance at the finals of the 2020 tournament and since then, his skills as an emcee continue to evolve. He remains a master of style breakdowns and intricate rhyme schemes, and his presence gets stronger and stronger in every match. Lhipkram did a phenomenal job in his first two battles in this year’s tournament, but we feel we haven’t seen his full form yet. If he maintains his dominant vibe while introducing new concepts in the semis, we’ll be seeing him at Ahon 16 in December.
Ban
Indeed, Ban’s quarterfinals victory was controversial, but no one can deny his strong performance. You can see that he’s more confident now on stage, and he has mastered the well-rounded style. His choice of angles and references also showed his creativity, so yes, he deserves to be in the final four. At the semis, if he can exceed his previous showings and come up with even more devastating material, he might score another upset. His critics are the perfect motivation for him to step up! It’s always good to have these “villainous” characters in the league. It adds more thrill to the game.
Saint Ice
At first, Saint Ice wasn’t part of the fan favorite conversations, but after his performances in the previous rounds, he has attracted a large fanbase. Apart from his complex pen game, creative imagery, and dominant stage presence, what also makes Saint Ice dangerous in this tournament is his unpredictable freestyle ability. We saw him showcase that against Jonas and Zaki, which ultimately lead to his shocking wins. His off-the-top magic produced one of the loudest reactions at Second Sight 14. If he stays strong at both written and freestyle and deliver more innovative lines, we might be looking at an Isabuhay 2025 finalist.
Katana
Despite being in the league for only a year, Katana has already gained a solid following. So what made him click, apart from his “calm but deadly” delivery? Fans were instantly hooked on his unique brand of comedy and hard-hitting lines as well as his imaginative references. You can always expect something new from Katana when he steps on stage. Originality remains a big factor in battle rap and if he keeps it intact, there’s a huge chance he will reach the finals. Confidence is certainly not an issue for him, as shown in his previous matches. He is indeed a threat.
READ ALSO: From A Fan’s Perspective: What Makes an Exciting Isabuhay
Who do you think will face off in the finals? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section. The semifinal battles will take place at Bwelta Balentong 12 on September 20, 2025. It will be held at the beloved Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig. Here’s our official pre-event review. Pre-sale tickets are selling fast, so we suggest you get yours now. We hope to see you in this guaranteed historic event.
