In the buzzing, ever-shifting environment of Manila’s nightlife, true authenticity can be a fleeting signal amidst the noise. Yet for DJ and event organizer Queen Alimoren, it’s the entire frequency. She is the visionary behind Raw Manila, a name that promises an unfiltered, visceral experience for the city’s electronic music devotees, and it’s quickly becoming a driving force in the underground.
Many will remember its previous incarnation, Boiler Manilla, a name that paid homage to a global movement. But in a move that speaks volumes about her integrity, Queen chose to forge a new path. The rebrand wasn’t just a marketing decision; it was a statement.
“I want to be transparent: the team from Boiler Room actually reached out,” Queen explains. “They told me the name could create confusion with their brand. I respected that, so I decided to change it into something that was fully mine, something original. That’s how Raw Manila was born.” Far from being a setback, the interaction was a blessing. “Boiler Room themselves even wished me good luck… which gave me even more motivation to push forward with my own concept.”
And that concept is resonating deeply. So, what exactly makes a Raw Manila party different from every other event vying for your weekend? It’s a vibe, an atmosphere that’s hard to manufacture but impossible to fake. It’s a feeling of collective release on the dance floor.
“Going to Raw Manila is something different. You can feel it right away: the energy, the genuine connection of the crowd, and the presence of real people who truly love music,” Queen says. “There’s freedom on that dancefloor, no judgment, no barriers. And I think that’s one of the most important parts of our rave culture: creating a space where everyone belongs.”
That sense of belonging has cultivated a dedicated community. The Raw Manila crowd isn’t just there for the ‘gram; they’re there for the experience. They are a solid group of creatives, music lovers, and ravers searching for something real in a city of endless options. “They’re the ones looking for authenticity and a deeper connection, not just the mainstream party experience,” Alimoren shares. “People don’t just come to our events; they become part of a movement.”
Behind this growing movement is Queen’s relentless, hands-on passion. As both the founder and a DJ who has only been spinning for a year and a half, she pours her everything into each event, embodying the “raw” ethos herself.
“The biggest challenge has been balancing all the roles: DJ, event organizer, and curator, while staying true to my vision,” she admits. “Every Raw Manila event is completely hands-on from me, from the setup, theme, and lighting, to the DJ lineup. If people saw everything that goes on behind the scenes, they’d be amazed. That’s part of the raw energy we bring.”
Now, that energy is spreading. Raw Manila is proving it’s more than just a Manila-centric phenomenon; it’s a vision for the future of the Philippines’ underground scene. Fans down south can catch that vibe for themselves when the Raw Manila team joins Last Cebu for a full takeover this coming August 30. By teaming up with like-minded artists and brands, Queen is strengthening the community and keeping the pulse of the underground fresh and exciting.
Raw Manila is more than just a party. It’s Queen Alimoren’s answer to a scene saturated with the superficial. It’s a promise of a space where the music is the main event and the crowd is a community. It’s nightlife in its most honest form: pure, unfiltered, and unapologetically raw.
Images by Dan Asaytono
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