Time to party: These female DJs are keeping nights young with their hot beats

Yela Renee

Before DJing became the trend it is today, this was Yela Renee’s favorite after-school hobby at 14 years old. When she turned 20, she started taking it more seriously as she trained, refined her craft, and eventually played two to three gigs a week at key spots like Kampai, Futurist, Nokal, and Apotheka—all while juggling a day job.

Yela started with hip-hop, heavily influenced by the then it-spot Black Market. But as she kept exploring, her go-to sounds became house and electronic music. She also plays around with techno, nu disco, EBM (electronic body music), and recently, afro house.

As her gigs grew, so did the impact. Girls would often approach her after a set, curious about how she started or eager to learn themselves. Her advice would be: “Start where you are, trust your taste, be humble, and ‘break your ceilings.’ You never know what’s possible until you try.”

Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Yela started getting booked for brand events and international gigs as well. “To this day, nothing compares to the high of creating moments people remember—whether it’s a night out or a daytime set,” she told PhilSTAR L!fe.

Outside of the DJ sphere, she works as a marketing manager for an international brand, explores new hobbies, and juggles a postgraduate course at the same time. She added, “I like keeping life full to keep me inspired.”

Since then, she’s been going places. She recently played in Tokyo and did a set for a Louis Vuitton event.

Alexandra 

Alexandra Mascenon’s DJ journey began in 2017, when she landed her first gig while interning at Scout Magazine. That first break led to more bar sets, and soon after, she played at Black Market for Bad Decisions, a collective she deeply admired, and eventually became part of their roster.

Through the years, she’s seen DJing as a meaningful pursuit that’s played a major role in her personal growth. "I love seeing how the energy shifts when women are behind the decks. It’s empowering to be able to create a space where other women feel safe to take up space, dance and fully be themselves," she shared in an interview with L!fe.

Beyond DJing, Alexandra co-founded BODIES, a weekly party celebrating women-led hip-hop, afro, and other high-energy genres. She’s also part of Unli More, an all-female collective spotlighting hip-hop and rap artists. In 2024, BODIES partnered with Run That to host a DJ workshop for women, an initiative she’s proud of for sparking interest and giving aspiring disc jockeys a push.

Balancing life as an interior design consultant and DJ, Alexandra was struck to see her two creative worlds merge. Having designed bars across the city, she says DJing gave her a deeper insight into a space’s purpose, sound, and flow beyond just its visuals. 

Baby Oliv

Since bursting onto the party scene in 2018, Olivia Reneé, a.k.a. Baby Oliv, has made a name for herself. After a pandemic pause, she bounced back in 2022 with a clearer sense of self and sound. Today, she’s part of Open House Records, a collective of renowned DJs, producers, and performers known for pushing the boundaries of global nightlife.

For Baby Oliv, DJing is less about “owning” a spot and more about creating space. She explained to L!fe, “It’s fulfilling to know that we don’t have to fit into anyone’s mold, we make the mold now. I love showing that soft, femme, and fun can be powerful in a booth. I love being silly and sexy!”

Her sets reflect this bold, genre-defying spirit, but beyond spinning records, she channels her creativity into art and music production. She’s currently deep into producing her first EP, exploring what Baby Oliv sounds like both in and outside the booth.

When asked for advice for women entering the DJ world, she encourages authenticity and individuality. She said, “Stay true to who you are. Build your own vibe. The more specific you are, the more unforgettable you become. Everyone can mix these days but it’s hard to learn taste.”

If you're down for a blend of afro, BAILE, bass, Jersey, UKG, and hard house, catch her live in Manila at Apotheka, Kampai, Xin Chao, and Clubhouse—or watch out for her upcoming tour stops in Sydney and Melbourne.

TALLBIBI

TALLBIBI, a.k.a. Annika Sy, has been lighting up bars and clubs across the metro for the past two years. Her DJ name started as a joke after she found a graphic of a tall baby funny. As “bibi” felt too cute to let go of, the name reflected her style, with sets that jump across genres and moods in ways that feel chaotic or unexpected.

Surrounded by music from a young age, she was drawn to many genres early on. Her passion for DJing deepened through time spent with the boyband collective KINDRED, a group of artists and producers who are also DJs, where she was constantly exposed to music, gear, and the freedom to develop her sound. These days, she’s been enjoying the funkier side of electronic music and leaning into progressive house.

Annika is aware of the industry’s male-dominated roots, but her focus has always been on the music and the joy of connection it brings. "I’ve never personally viewed my experience through the lens of gender—but I do recognize that my journey into DJing has been more accessible than most," she told L!fe. 

For those who are just starting out and feeling unsure, she offers encouraging advice: “Technique will come with time. Don’t wait until you feel “ready” or “qualified.” The only way to grow is to put yourself in the spaces where learning happens.” 

You’ll often find her at Apotheka, which she calls her second home. From time to time, you might hear something new as she is exploring a new layer of her musical identity.  

MAKIIA

If the universe had a birthday gift for Pia Cruz, it was the idea of pursuing DJing. This thought took shape the day she hired—get this—a DJ for her celebration. Fast forward to 2022, she finally got her first DJ controller, and MAKIIA was born.

Her moniker is inspired by the ocean’s flow. It came from the Japanese word “maki,” which means “to roll” or “to wrap”—like waves, or even a current of sound. She explained to L!fe, “The extra ‘i’ was added as a nod to waves or frequencies, echoing how music can surround you.”

The 22-year-old DJ has started her own collective called Soulseek, driven by a desire to explore the intersection of music, space, and raw, youth-led energy. From there, she has played in prominent spots in Poblacion like Apotheka, Ugly Duck, and Xin Chao. She even had a chance to perform at the Ruby Room in Shibuya, Tokyo.

As young as she is, she shared how the best part of her journey would have to be owning Soulseek and being able to create events that mean something. MAKIIA believes that being a DJ is more than just throwing parties. “It’s about building a space where people can connect through music, energy, and shared experiences,” she said.

When she’s not busy on deck, she’s a multimedia design student. You can usually catch her spinning around the Poblacion area in Makati, and on July 4, she’s set to open the night for renowned Japanese DJ Ryota at Apotheka. Right now, she’s channeling her energy into something new and exciting with Soulseek.

Jamina Cruz

Jamina Cruz has turned heads with her debut this year at Apotheka, one of the hottest clubs in Poblacion, and a dream venue for many local DJs. But her story was more of a slow burn. She had long been immersed in the party scene, primarily because she’s friends with many DJs—including Polo Dino, who gave her the chance to land her first gig.

It all started when she received a controller as a gift. At first, she thought about learning by herself, but eventually, she reached out to Sky Dominique, a seasoned pro and well-known DJ in the community. “He took me under his wing and taught me the fundamentals from the ground up. I honestly wouldn’t have had the confidence to pursue DJing without his support,” she said in an interview with L!fe.

As she kept learning and playing, she came to a big realization: You don’t need to have it all figured out at once. She shared, “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! My first gig had a ton of them, but I kept going, and I’m grateful I did.”

For her, the most fulfilling part is seeing other women feel inspired and represented. “Sometimes, all it takes is seeing someone who looks like you doing the thing you’ve always dreamed of trying.”

Jamina is still fresh from her debut, yet things are only going up from here as she prepares for other milestones as a DJ. Reflecting on her journey so far, she said, “I’m still learning, but I know this is something I’ll be doing for a long time.”

Next time you’re out, remember that the real magic often happens behind the deck. Whether you’re just there to enjoy good music or you’re that girl with a USB and a dream, take inspiration from these Filipina DJs who bring taste, fresh beats, and unforgettable energy. Go ahead, jump on that guest list, and dive into the evolving sounds of the local scene.