Lined up with some of the best DJs in the industry, Sinulog sa Baseline 2025 is one for the books. I’ve been part of the crowd at Baseline a few times back when I studied in Cebu, but this year, I experienced it from a whole new perspective—on the stage, behind the decks.
First off, I have to give a huge thanks to NJR (@ogvnjr) for making this happen for me. I owe this incredible experience to him and to everyone in Cebu who believed in me. Because of this opportunity, I met so many amazing people and shared the stage with incredibly talented artists from Cebu and beyond.
Preparing for Sinulog sa Baseline took weeks of crate-digging and countless sleepless nights spent curating a playlist that would not only capture the festive spirit of Sinulog but also align with the vision I had for my set. I knew I wanted percussion-heavy tracks because, for me, nothing beats the rush of hearing drums and rhythmic beats at a festival. It’s the kind of sound that makes my heart race with excitement and happiness. I love it! At some point in my life, I feel like I’m a festival girlie.
With my love for tech house, I decided to go all in on an Afro/Tribal Tech set—something that felt both fresh and deeply connected to the essence of Sinulog. When I finally locked in my tracklist, I knew: THIS was the best playlist curation I had ever made.
Our day in Sinulog sa Baseline arrived, and before diving into soundcheck, I met up with Dara (@daracarmina) and Jong (@djjonggarcia). We roamed the streets of Baseline, the same streets where wild Sinulog parties have taken place for years. It was chaotic, just as I remembered, and honestly? I missed that kind of chaos—the strangers smearing colorful paint on you, the sea of people dancing and celebrating. It was nostalgic, and it reminded me why Sinulog is one of the craziest and most beautiful festivals in the country.
After soaking in the madness, it was time for soundcheck. A deep breath, a quick run-through of the setup, and then the night officially began.
The night kicked off with opening sets from Zalginni and Jacob, setting the mood for what was about to be an unforgettable lineup. NJR and Kaye Cabahug (@dj.kayee) followed, with Kaye absolutely shining in her all-white festive outfit. Then came DJ Jong Garcia, building up the night even more. And then…it was my turn.
One of the most significant moments of this gig? Using a USB on a CDJ for the first time. It might not seem like a big deal to some, but for me, it was a nerve-wracking yet thrilling leap. I had my safety net—my laptop of course 😂 —but my peers pushed me to go all in on the industry-standard setup. Jong, NJR, and Juan Pablo hyped me up so much that I couldn’t back down. I’ve never had that kind of encouragement before. The support they gave me as a rookie in this scene made all the difference.
Being a female DJ in a male-dominated industry can feel isolating at times, but that night? I felt like I belonged.
The set itself was like a blur of pure adrenaline. Time moved too fast, but I felt every second of it. Every track I played resonated deeply in me and in the moment. I HAD SO MUCH FUN!
As soon as my set ended, Ian Caram took over with Mc/DJ King John Villa, followed by Juan Pablo (@juanpablo3683). And then, the highlight of Sinulog sa Baseline 2025—Dara (@daracarmina), crowned Best Female DJ of 2025 by The New Hue, alongside the amazing MC Ice Rosales (@iceonthemic).
Sinulog sa Baseline 2025 easily made it to the top of my Sinulog highlights. The energy, the people, the music—it was everything I dreamed of and more. I can’t thank the incredible team behind this event enough for making it such a success and for having me.
Until next year, Sinulog. I’ll be ready for another round of madness!
