2024 has been nothing short of amazing for me as a new female DJ in the industry. It’s a year of growth, excitement, and self-discovery. From playing at incredible venues to meeting inspiring people — every experience has shaped the kind of DJ I want to be. This recap highlights some of the best venues I played at and the best DJs I’ve seen played and shared the stage with that made my year.
Best Venues I Played At
1. La Jefa Club, Bacolod City
La Jefa Club (@lajefapubclub) in Bacolod is hands down one of my favorite venues of 2024. This high-end spot has quickly become the go-to place for nightlife in Bacolod City, and I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to headline there. The crowd was incredible—open to both commercial hits and unique, out-of-the-box tracks. For someone like me, who’s still carving my place in the industry, playing at La Jefa felt like a major achievement. The hospitality of the DJs and staff made the experience even more unforgettable. It was so heartwarming! I’ll always look forward to returning to La Jefa, not just for the vibe but of course, for the warmth and energy of everyone there.
2. Ultimate Superclub, Gensan City
My first superclub experience was at Ultimate Superclub (@ultimatesuperclub) in Gensan City, and wow, what a night! I was so nervous at first, but once I got hang o it during my set, it turned into one of the most exhilarating performances of my life. I love EDM and the crowd’s love for it too has resonated deeply with me. I was completely lost in the moment by the end of the night. I was drunk that I barely remembered anything except the joy of being on that stage. The hangover the next day was worth it, of course! Ultimate left me inspired to keep pushing my boundaries and seeking gigs in bigger venues like this.
3. Davao Whisky Park, Davao City
Playing at Davao Whisky Park was very unexpected. I sent my pitch last year and I thought that it was impossible for me to get booked. But I did! It was surreal. As Asia’s largest outdoor liquor park, the venue is unlike anything else—a mix of chill and rave vibes, with people enjoying everything from billiards to beer pong to just dancing the night away. The setup was top-notch as well, with a huge and stunning LED wall. I have to mention that being part of DWP’s roster of DJs was a huge honor, especially as a newbie. Sharing the lineup with some of the best DJs in Mindanao and Davao City made me feel like I was truly part of something special. This venue will forever hold a special place in my heart.
4. Ritual Gastropub, Dumaguete City
Although this happened last year, I have to include Ritual Gastropub on this list because playing here felt like a big achievement. I’ve seen and experienced the party here even before I got booked here. A huge shoutout to DJ Ludovico for making it happen! Even though it was a Wednesday night with an empty venue, it didn’t feel that way to me. I was surrounded by my freediving friends, we’re vibing out, and I’m just playing my heart out. That moment was priceless and unforgettable. I played my entire set with pure joy and a smile on my face, and my heart felt so full.
5. The Barcode, Ozamis City
The Barcode Ozamis gave me mixed emotions, but overall, it was an experience I’ll never forget. The party ended earlier than I wished (1 AM cutoffs can be a buzzkill!), but I had an absolute blast during my set. The crowd was a bit tough to crack at first, which challenged me to step up my crowd-reading skills. After about 30 minutes, I hit my stride, and the energy just kept building. Sheesh it was amazing! I stayed on that momentum. Time flew by, and before I knew it, the night was over. It was a reminder that every gig, no matter how challenging, is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Best DJs I’ve Seen on Stage and Shared with
1. PEY FILIPINAS (@pfilipinas)
Hearing Ate Pey for the first time during Araw ng Dabaw was a moment that changed some of my preferences. Her full house set was so captivating that it reignited my love for house music. I was instantly hooked! Since then, I’ve been exploring its subgenres, and it feels like I’ve found my true sound through her. Sharing the stage with her at Ultimate Superclub was a dream come true. She killed another incredible set that night, and I left feeling inspired to dive even deeper into this kind of music.
2. DANIEL TAN (@djdanieltan)
DJ Daniel Tan was the opening DJ at La Jefa when I played there and it was realy inspiring. He set the perfect tone for the night. I remember he was throwing in some tech house that created a musical journey (for me), and it had me completely fascinated. By the time it was my turn to play, I was so energized. His track selection was next-level as well, and when he shared some of his tracks with me, it opened up a whole new world of sound. Since then, I’ve been exploring similar tracks and incorporating them into my sets. DJ Daniel’s influence has been a huge part of my growth this year.
3. NIEL RECINTO (@nielrecinto)
Sharing the same house residency with Niel at Fullbar Gastropub has been amazing, even though I only caught his sets four or five times this year. What stands out about him, for me, is the surprise factor in his set. He knows how to engage and tease the crowd, you know keeping everyone on their toes with his transitions and also his track choices. It’s a skill I deeply admire and aspire to develop. At the moment, I’m still in a fade-in-and-out transition phase, 😂 but every time I hear Niel plays, I’m reminded of how much more I can bring to my sets with added dynamics if I practice every single day.
4. FLORENCE AMOROSO / FLOROSSO (@floroxo.official)
Florence is someone I’d describe as a true creative. Seeing his sets on Instagram stories alone is enough to spark ideas for new sounds I want to explore. You can feel his artistry not just in his talent in design but in the way he plays music. I first heard him during House Blend Vol. 2, and I was so impressed. I personally referred him to get booked, so I could hear him play. I would say that he has a different sound and style, and he’s one of the the most unique ones in Dipolog City. About 80% of the tracks he played during the House Blend event were unfamiliar to me, but I instantly loved them. Sharing the stage with him felt almost felt like a privilege because I know he’s destined for big things in this industry.
4. DJ ELSTAR (@djelstar)
I had the opportunity to perform alongside Elstar in Siquijor, and whoa, this man is a master of versatility. His set was dynamic, smoothly transitioning across genres and BPMs. He made it look so easy! Watching him with that level of skill was incredibly motivating. It’s the kind of versatility I hope to bring into my own performances one day. Elstar’s talent left an amazing impression to me, and I’m grateful to have learned from his approach to DJing.
2024 was all about stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing the challenges of being a newbie in this fast-paced industry. From playing in different cities to learning from talented DJs, every moment has shaped me into a better artist.
I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store!
For now, I’m celebrating all the lessons, friendships, and unforgettable nights that made this year so special.
Way to go!