The 23RD Awit Awards, the Philippine Association of the Record Industry’s annual recognition of local music’s best releases, veered away from pop and revivals this year.
A rapper and a folk singer bagged Song of the Year and Album of the Year awards, respectively.
But controversy-magnet Willie Revillame emerged a winner, too, for an album he recorded with ABS-CBN’s music arm.
Song of the Year went to hip-hop artist Gloc-9 and his song “Upuan,” which also won four other awards. He clinched a fifth victory with “Martilyo” (Best Rock/Alternative Recording), also from the “Matrikula” album.
How ‘Upuan’ was made
Gloc-9, whose real name is Aristotle Pollisco, noted in his acceptance speech that he wrote “Upuan” while on duty at a public hospital, awaiting the results of his board exams for nursing. “’Di ako marunong tumugtog ng kahit anong instrumento, kaya bawat kantang sinusulat ko ay milagro para sa akin (I don’t know how to play any instrument, which is why I consider every song I write to be a miracle for me),” he said.
Alternative folk singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon, meanwhile, struck gold with his first major-label foray, as his “Byahe” won Album of the Year honors. “This shows that it’s never too late for a new start, even at 45 [years old],” he said, “or, in my case, crossing over to the mainstream from the alternative.”
Cabangon also took trophies for individual songs from the “Byahe” album, as well as the Best Song Written For Movie/TV/Stage Play for “Ang Buhay Nga Naman” from the “Ded Na Si Lolo” soundtrack.
TV host Willie Revillame took home the Best-SellingAlbum of the Year award for “Ikaw Na Nga,” which Star Recording Inc. head Annabelle Borja-Regalado received in his absence. “Salamat po sa lahat ng tumangkilik sa album, at para kay Willie, maging Kapuso ka man o Kapatid, palagi kang mananatiling kapamilya ng Star Records,” said Regalado-Borja.
Revillame notwithstanding, the moribund sales of the record industry weighed heavily on the minds of the other winners, with Cabangon expressing hope that President Aquino’s appreciation of music artists may be translated to assistance in terms of combating piracy.
The political tone also carried over to the production numbers, with preeminent Aquino supporter Ogie Alcasid performing “Bagong Pilipinas,” which he wrote for the President’s inauguration, and Star Recording Inc. receiving a special award for the album “Paalam, Maraming Salamat, President Cory,” which was received by P-Noy’s sister Ballsy Aquino.
The ABS-CBN network, a major sponsor of the awards, dominated the evening’s proceedings, as its music arm Star Recording won the most Awit Awards with 12, including the aforementioned special award and four awards from ABS-CBN brands.
Texters’ Choice
Texters’ Choice Awards were taken from polls from ABS-CBN’s Music UpLate show, and were given to Yeng Constantino, who won Song of The Year for “Lapit,” and Bugoy Drilon, who was awarded Best Performance By A Male Artist for “Just Tell Me You Love Me.”
The Most Downloaded awards were taken wholly from downloads from ABS-CBN Interactive, and both Artist and Song categories were taken by Mr. Drilon for his song “Muli.”
Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino, the Awit’s Lifetime Achievement Awards, went to folk-rock group Asin, pioneering female rocker Sampaguita, and jazz artist Boy Katindig. A Posthumous award was also bestowed upon singer-actor Fred Panopio.
