General
Let’s Take It Back: Zoning 2019
It’s time for another trip down memory lane. We’ll take you back to what many consider one of the greatest events in FlipTop.
Dante Romero
May 20, 2025
On June 25, 2019, FlipTop held its seventh event of the year: Zoning 2019. It took place at TIU Theater in Makati, and the lineup consisted of seven battles (four for Isabuhay and three non-tournament matches). The league certainly had a strong start that year, with the previous events getting not only high attendance numbers but also universal acclaim. While there was pressure for Zoning 2019, many are confident it will be a great night because of the card.
Attendance-wise, Zoning 2019 was packed! Hours before the event, fans were already lined up outside TIU Theater, waiting for the epic matchups. When Anygma stepped on stage for the introduction, everyone in the venue was ecstatic. They were all ready to witness top emcees in action. So, how were the battles? Let’s start with the four Isabuhay showdowns.
Fans and emcees had high expectations for BLKD, but sadly, he choked in his battle. Good thing Poison13 came prepared and gave a performance of a lifetime. If both emcees brought their A-game, this could easily be a battle of the night candidate. G-Clown vs Lhipkram was a verbal slugfest. It was a showcase of hard-hitting bars, intricate rhyme schemes, and strong stage presence. Many say that this is one of G-Clown’s best FlipTop performances, and we agree. As for Lanzeta vs Sixth Threat and Apekz and Asser, up to now, they’re still hailed as two game-changing matches in Isabuhay. Both battles brought out the best in every emcee, keeping the audience hooked throughout. Apart from the complex lyricism and rhyming styles, these clashes also served as a clinic for proper aggression and effective delivery in rap. It was just the quarterfinals of the tournament, but we’ve already witnessed several classics. Now, let’s proceed to the non-tournament matchups.
LilWeng is another emcee who stumbled in this event. It’s unfortunate, considering he was the POI6 Calabrzon Division Champion. Luckily for us, Numerhus brought his one hundred percent and left us all in awe. His flow, delivery, and pen game were just flawless. Plazma vs Invictus was a legit death match! The two lyrical heavyweights spat some of their most brutal lines to date while maintaining their raw aggression. It’s an underrated gem that deserves way more views. Tipsy D vs Zaito is, without a doubt, entertaining from start to finish. Despite a few stumbles, Zaito still managed to make the crowd go wild with his creative humor and angles. Tipsy D brought some awe-inspiring technical lines and schemes, and his jokes were memorable as well.
Yes, two rappers choked on this night, but at least their opponents had an iconic showing. Zoning 2019 is regarded by many as one of the best FlipTop events of the year, with some even going as far as claiming it’s one of the best ever. Whether you agree or not, one thing is for sure: Zoning 2019 was a huge success. To the fans who’ve attended, feel free to share your stories in the comments section. We hope to see you all on Zoning 18 and 19!
