Bamboo Mañalac w band Bamboo gave an electrical performance where the biggest bands also rocked

(Note:  I’m very proud to tell the world  Skarlet was the one who made me cover the music scene. (aka Myra David) She also happens to be the most skilled and talented female jazz vocalist we have. I wrote this article three years ago sometime after I first met her. Until then I was just concentrating on the alternative film scene or travel or a lot of other things. She managed to convince me that there’s a world of Filipino talent that the usual media outlets have yet to show. I’d like to thank her for the innumerable talents that I was able to shoot because she pointed me in the right direction.  I’ll try to look for more pics from the event to add)

Written and photographed

by Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

Bamboo headlined a list of rock superstars during the 20th Awit Awards organized by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) last August 8, 2007 at the NBC Tent. The 20th anniversary of the Awit Awards was cause to celebrate for the biggest names in rock, rap, jazz and pop.

Pinoy rock legend Pepe Smith and Wally Dela Cruz sang their song ” Ang Himig Natin”. Other stellar performers include, Ogie Alcasid & Regine Velazquez, Francis Magallona, Chito Miranda (of Parokya Ni Edgar), Gloc 9, The Dawn, 6 Cycle Mind, Sitti, The Company, Gary & Gabby Valenciano, Sugarfree, Sponge Cola, Itchy Worms, Sandwich, Chicosci.

IKON Philippines winner, Kjwan paid tribute to the music of Juan Dela Cruz. Wally Dela Cruz who was a judge at IKON, jammed with Kjwan for the song “Beep, Beep, Beep”. Then it was Razorback’s turn to jam with Wally. Pepe Smith took to the stage for an emotional two guitar performance of “Ang Himig Natin” with his band mate Wally. Pepe improvised the lyrics, “Pagyamanin natin ang ating himig…” which was perfect for the occasion.

Wally Dela Cruz & Pepe Smith- Juan Dela Cruz won the Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino award

The Juan Dela Cruz band was honored with the ‘Dangal ng Musikang Plipino Award’. Wally in his acceptance speech said, “Salamat sa lahat ng tumatangkilik sa awiting Pilipino”. Pepe Smith jokingly said, “Matagal na to ha! 60 years old nako! Darating ang panahon Rock & Roll din kayong lahat!”. Mike Hanopol was in Canada for a concert. The other ‘Dangal ng Musikang Plipino” award was given posthumously to Yoyoy Villame & was received by his daughter.

Gian Magdangal is the fresh new face and talent that won Best Performance By a new Male Recording Artist. Gian thanked his Philippine Idol family of which he was a finalist and skyrocketed his singing career. His winning single: ‘Himala’ under Sony BMG is what earned him the Awit award. Gian beat out other hunks in the category like Chris Cayzer, Jay-R Siaboc, Aaron Agassi & Jimmy Marquez. Gian walked in through the NBC tent red carpet with a hot date Sheree in his arm.

Kamikazee swept almost every major award from Album of the Year- ‘Maharot’ to Song Of The Year, ‘Narda’ & Best Rock Song. Kamikazee’s ‘Martyr Nyebera’ also won for Music Video of the Year. Their performance of ‘Sexy Sexy’ got a lot of reaction from the crowd. Lead singer Jay Contreras climbed up a ledge and gyrated his hips. He also
gurgled and spit water during his acceptance speech for Best Music Video Of the Year.

Billy Crawford, Skarlet & Guitarist Aya Yuson, Thank You Myra! photo by Jude Bautista

Skarlet won for best jazz recording for her upbeat self titled tune “Skarlet”. She said, “The whole album has been a labor of love. Because I sacrificed so much of myself and worked so hard on it”. In her album ‘The Powder Room Stories’, she had to be executive producer, composer and lyricist. Skarlet on the red carpet wore a beige evening gown that was a replica of a Coco Chanel design in1927. The dress was such a significant step in design that it is currently displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art In New York. Skarlet is often compared to Gwen Stefani, because both have Ska roots and have a love for retro clothes.

KALA was the other big winner, with Best Performance of a New Group, Best Alternative / World/Bossa Music, Favorite Group & Favorite New Group. Brian Tanchanco (Keyboards) during KALA’s speech said, “We want to congratulate Kjwan for earning the right to represent the country for IKON”. Vocalist Mike Grape said, “If I can make it here anyone one of you can too”.

In an interview Brian Tanchanco said “Jeepney’ was the story of what happened to Mike Grape (lead vocals) in a real jeepney. It’s what happens to a lot of people, when you see someone and you instantly feel that connection but don’t know if it’s mutual”. Brian & JP Tanchanco are brothers who also run production company. JP said “We’ve also put up Tanchanco trimedia productions. It’s a company that focuses on empowerment media. Same indie label that produced KALA. We did executive produced & creative direct all our music videos. I’m currently doing a documentary now. All of us have day jobs. Me and Brian – our family owns Taters chain and Chimara. Brian’s actively managing Greenbelt 4, Raymond Daylo (bass) owns the Petron in JP Rizal, Mike’s in a call center, Lyle Gabaldon (drums) is an MBA law student about to take the bar.

A new feature of this year’s Awit awards is the text voting for the People’s Choice. Text voters were able to determine their favorite among a set of nominees. Nina won the most votes for both Favorite Female Artist & Favorite Song of the year for ‘Someday’.

It was almost one impressive performance after another with awards being given out as rest periods. The Dawn’s Francis Reyes in lead guitar improvised during their medley of Enveloped Ideas, Love Will Set Us Free & Salamat. But it wasn’t just rock that was represented that night. The crowd was energized by the rapid fire rap of Gloc 9 &
Francis Magallona. Chito Miranda came out in and elementary boy’s uniform and backpack.

Ogie & Regine sang a duet entitled ‘Narito Ako’. The duet may be the first after the two stars have gone public with their romance. Bossa Nova Queen Sitti performed with The Company and honored Jose Mari Chan with a medley of his hits.  The Awit awards ended with a bang. Gary Valenciano gave a spectacular dance routine with his son Gabby. Gary deservedly won Best Dance for ‘Shake it’ and Best Ballad for ‘In Another Lifetime’.