# Universal Records (Philippines)

Universal Records Philippines, Inc. is a Philippine record label founded in 1977 as part of Warner Music Group. It has been an independent label since 1992. The label is currently a member of the Philippine Association of the Record Industry.

## History

WEA Records Philippines Inc. was founded in the Philippines as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group's East Asia division. The company served as the licensee of WEA in the Philippines for 15 years before undergoing a name change to Universal Records Philippines Inc. in 1992. The company's new name reflected a shift in focus from being just a licensee of WEA to becoming a full-fledged independent record label.
As Universal Records Philippines Inc., the company continued to build its reputation in the industry and signed various prominent local artists, such as Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, and Christian Bautista. In 2003, the company signed the pop-rock band Sponge Cola, which became a major success in the local music scene. The band's debut album, "Palabas," achieved double platinum status and won several awards, including Album of the Year at the NU107 Rock Awards.
In 2018, Universal Records Philippines Inc. launched Mustard Music, a sub-label focused on the growth of homegrown indie acts. The new label aimed to provide a platform for emerging Filipino artists to showcase their music and reach a wider audience. Mustard Music's roster includes promising acts such as Janine Teñoso, Keiko Necesario, and Arthur Nery.

## Artists

Universal Records Philippines Inc. has signed and worked with numerous prominent Filipino artists throughout its history. Some of the label's notable acts include:
* Gary Valenciano: A multi-awarded Filipino musician, Valenciano is known for his pop, R&B, and inspirational songs. He has released over 30 albums throughout his career and has won numerous awards, including several Awit Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 Star Awards for Music.
* Regine Velasquez: Dubbed the "Asia's Songbird," Velasquez is a well-known Filipino singer, actress, and television personality. She has released over 20 studio albums and has won numerous awards, including several Awit Awards, the 1999 MTV Asia Viewer's Choice Award, and the 2018 Aliw Awards Lifetime Achievement Award.
* Sponge Cola: A pop-rock band formed in 2002, Sponge Cola has become one of the most successful bands in the Philippines. The band has released several hit albums and singles, including "Jeepney," "Tambay," and "Nakapagtataka."
* Christian Bautista: A Filipino singer, actor, and model, Bautista rose to fame after joining the singing competition "Star in a Million" in 2003. He has released several successful albums and has won several awards, including the 2004 MTV Asia Awards and the 2005 Awit Awards for Best Male Recording Artist.
* Janine Teñoso: A singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics, Teñoso has become one of the most promising new artists in the Philippines. She has released several singles, including "Fall," "Di Na Muli," and "Umibig Muli," and has won several awards, including the 2019 Awit Awards for Best Performance by a New Female Recording Artist.

## Distributed labels

As of 2011 :

### Local

* 12 Stone Inc.
* GMA Music
* Jesuit Communications Foundation
* Jesuit Music Ministry
* Soupstar Music

### Foreign

* 618 International Records
* AI Entertainment
* All Around the World Productions
* American Laundromat Records
* Angular Recording Corporation
* Arts & Crafts
* Avex Group
** Avex Taiwan
** Avex Asia
*** Armada Music
*** Johnny's Entertainment
*** Kontor Records
*** / Major Chord Records
*** Purple Communication
*** S.M. Entertainment
*** Vandit
* Beggars Banquet Records
* Blanco y Negro Records
* Bonnier Amigo Music Group
* Brickhouse Direct
* Cooking Vinyl
** Take Me to the Hospital
* Domino Records
* Edel Music
* Elefant Records
* FNC Music
* Geneon Entertainment (music division)
* Imperial Records
* Instant Karma
* Kitty-Yo
* Labrador Records
* Liberation Music
* Licking Fingers
* LOEN Entertainment
** Stardom Entertainment
* LTM Recordings
* Matador Records
* Moshi Moshi Records
* NeoMONDE Productions
* NH Media
* Nippon Columbia
* Om Records
* PIAS
* Playground Music Scandinavia
* Pledis Entertainment
* Pony Canyon
** Interglobal Music (Pony Canyon MY)
** Leafage
* Secretly Canadian
* Service
* Sincerely Yours
* TC Music
* TVT Records
* Ultra Records
* XL Recordings
* Yejeon Media
* YG Entertainment (2005-2012)

## Artists
### Current artists

* Angelina Cruz (2016–present)
* Angeline Quinto (2024–present)
* Better Days (2017–present)
* Bey Pascua (2021–present)
* Christian Bautista (2009–present)
* COLN (2019–present)
* David Licauco (2023–present)
* DJ Loonyo (2021–present)
* Donny Pangilinan (2017–present)
* Dotty's World (2018–present)
* Elmo Magalona (2015–present)
* Gary Valenciano (1983–present)
* Gloc-9 (2012–2016; 2021–present)
* I Belong to the Zoo (2022–present)
* Ice Seguerra (2015–present)
* Imago (2006–2010; 2019–present)
* Janina Vela (2017–present)
* JKris (2018–present)
* Julie Anne San Jose (2017–present)
* Karencitta (2017–present)
* Kemrie Barcenas (2020–present)
* Kurei (2019–present)
* Kyle Juliano (2017–present)
* Lorenz (2022–present)
* Mark Oblea (2017–present)
* Maine Mendoza (2017–present)
* Noel Cabangon (2009–present)
* Paolo Mallari (2017–present)
* Paolo Sandejas (2018–present)
* Parokya ni Edgar (1993–present)
* Shanti Dope (2017–present)
* TALA (2017–present)
* Thea Astley (2023–present)
* The Knobs (2020–present)
* Troy Laureta (2021–present)
* Will Mikhael (2022–present)

### Mustard Music (sublabel)

* Good Kid$ (2018–2020)
* Issa Rodriguez (2018–present)
* Joey tha Boy (2018–present)
* The Ransom Collective (2019–present)
* Timmy Albert (2019–present)
* Barq (Arkin Magalona) (2019–present)
* La Playa (2019–present)

### Former artists

* APO Hiking Society (1977–2010)
* Jose Mari Chan (1985–2012, still performing)
* Jed Madela (2003–2013, now under Star Music)
* Karylle (2001–2008)
* Irene Coloso
* Geneva Cruz (formerly from Smokey Mountain, moved to Curve Entertainment)
* John Paul & Rochelle
* Mon David
* Pilita Corrales
* Celeste Legaspi
* Ray-An Fuentes
* Samantha Chavez
* Duncan Ramos
* Willy Garte
* Marco Sison
* Roel Cortez
* Baltazar
* Sheryl Cruz
* Hotdog (now disbanded)
* Itchyworms (2004–2008, moved to Sony Music Philippines)
* Masta Plann (now currently based in California)
* Orange and Lemons
* Soul Control
* Gino Padilla
* Joni Feliciano
* Milyo Naryo (Emil Loseñada)
* Max Surban
* Universal Motion Dancers
* The New Everlasting Orchestra
* Jaymie Baby
* Miguel Vera
* Dyords Javier
* Nexxus
* Neocolours (1988–2000)
* Lyon Smith
* Mel Valic
* Wadab
* George Yang (now chief executive of McDonald's Philippines)
* Flavors
* Willie Revillame (2002–2005)
* Rainier Castillo (2004–2005)
* Dingdong Avanzado (2004–2006)
* Jessa Zaragoza (2004–2006)
* Kamikazee (2005–2015)
* Shamrock (2005–2010)
* Lani Misalucha (2006–2010)
* Silent Sanctuary (2006–2012)
* Ogie Alcasid (2007–2017, moved to Star Music)
* Regine Velasquez (2007–2017, returned to VIVA Records, now under Star Music)
* Sam Concepcion (2007–2017, moved to VIVA Records)
* Billy Crawford (2008–2018, moved to VIVA Records)
* Nina (2010–2012)
* Jaya (2011–2014, now based in the United States)
* Callalily (2012–2017, moved to O/C Records)
* Rivermaya (2012–2014, returned to Sony Music Philippines)
* She's Only Sixteen (2012–2015)
* Alden Richards (2013–2015, moved to GMA Music)
* Nikki Gil (2014–2015)
* The Company (2015–2017)
* Rico Blanco (2015–2017, moved to Sony Music Philippines)
* Solenn Heussaff (2016–2017)
* Fern. (2017–2020, moved to Island Records Philippines)
* Claudia Barretto (2016–2020, moved to VIVA Records)
* Sponge Cola (2006–2020, returned to Sony Music Philippines)
* Watawat Band

## Trade name dispute with UMG

Universal Music Group cannot use the Universal name in the Philippines because URPI owns rights to that brand name. Thus, the UMG business in the Philippines became known as MCA Music, Inc., UMG's former global trade name.
On November 3, 2021, MCA Music changed its current name to UMG Philippines.