2 Fil-Am songwriters celebrate their first Grammy Award
Fil-Am artists Jeff Bernat (left) and Jesse Barrera have won their first Grammy Award. Photos from jeffbernat and jessebarrera/Instagram
Filipinos are making their mark in the 2025 Grammy Awards.
Filipino American artists Jesse Barrera and Jeff Bernat have made history by joining the growing list of Filipino talents recognized by the prestigious Recording Academy.
Both of them contributed as songwriters to “Heart of a Human,” the album by Gospel artist DOE, which won Best Contemporary Christian Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards held on Feb. 2 at the Peacock Theater and Crypto Arena in Los Angeles.
Moreover, together with Fil-Am musician Tim Atlas, they also received their first nomination for Best Gospel Performance/Song with the track “Holy Hands,” performed by the same contemporary gospel artist.
Fil-Am artists (from left) Jesse Barrera, Jeff Bernat and Tim Atlas have earned their first Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance/Song with the track ‘Holy Hands.’ Photo from jeffbernat/Instagram
Their recognition continues a legacy that dates back to Larry Ramos, the first Filipino American and Asian American Grammy winner in 1963.
Barrera, Bernat and Atlas follow in the footsteps of past trailblazers while standing shoulder to shoulder with today’s Filipino artists making waves in mainstream music.
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The trio took to social media to express their gratitude and excitement.
Barrera shared, “We on a Grammy-winning album!!! Time to finish my own.” Bernat echoed the sentiment, celebrating his achievement as a songwriter. “Won my first Grammy as a songwriter 🙏🏽🏆 Thank you, God, thank you @recordingacademy, and thank you @doejonesmusic for the opportunity! We’ve been manifesting this moment for years now, and it finally came true. I love y’all for real. Now back to work cuz I’m tryna do it again!!!”
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Atlas further reflected on the surreal experience, writing, “So many pinch-me moments, and I’m glad I got to experience this with the best of the best. We manifested this moment a decade ago (proof is above). This is something I’ve always dreamt of & will never forget. Time to prep for tour & whatever comes next!”
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Meanwhile, Filipino Hawaiian Kalani Pe‘a has also made history once again, securing his fourth Grammy Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album with his latest masterpiece, “Kuini.”
The award was presented during the non-televised segment of the ceremony.
