Sharon Cuneta was out of town and unable to personally accept the Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino award the Philippine Association for Record Industry conferred on her in recognition of her achievements as a music artist these past 25 years. But she did tape her acceptance speech earlier. And Rico Puno, Rey Valera, Hajji Alejandro and Richard Merk did sing up a storm of the Megastar’s biggest hits during the 15th Awit Awards ceremonies held last Thursday evening at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
The other big honoree of the night though was very much present. Former child star Aiza Seguerra officially joined the ranks of Filipino music greats when she reaped a total of four trophies including the much-coveted Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist. Take note that the diminutive Aiza was up against some of the brightest female stars in this category – Regine Velasquez, Lea Salonga, Jessa Zaragoza, Jolina Magdangal and Sharon Cuneta. The competition was formidable. But with a song as popular as Pagdating ng Panahon, it was not at all likely that Aiza would miss. She received five nominations from the Awit and lost out in only one, that of Best Ballad Recording which went to Alipin Ako by Mari.
Another happy winner was Ogie Alcasid who recently returned from Australia where his wife Michelle gave birth to their second daughter, another girl. Ogie won for Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist for his bittersweet love song Ikaw Sana. This too, came as a surprise for many because Ogie was up against biggies like Martin Nievera, Rico J. Puno, Dingdong Avanzado and the only newcomer in the line-up LA Lopez. Ogie also bagged the biggest prize of the evening, the Album of the Year award for his A Better Man.
Here is the list of the Awit Award winners:
Best Vocal Performance, Female: Aiza Seguerra, Pagdating ng Panahon
Best Vocal Performance, Male: Ogie Alcasid, Ikaw Sana
Best Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group: The CompanY, Gusto Ko ng A Capella
Best Pop Collaboration: Dessa and Rannie Raymundo, Noon, Ngayon
Best Pop Recording: Pagdating ng Panahon
Song of the Year: Pagdating ng Panahon by Moy Ortiz and Edith Gallardo
Best Produced Album: Pagdating ng Panahon by Aiza Seguerra
Best New Female Artist: Karylle, Can’t Live Without You
Best New Male Artist: Gabby Eigenmann, Loving
Best New Duo or Group: Roots from Jesse Too Far Too Fast
Best Rap Recording: Isang Araw by Gloc 9
Best Alternative Recording Artist: Rivermaya, Umaaraw, Umuulan
Best Novelty Recording Artist: Gladys & D’Boxers, Ako’y Napapa-Uhh
Best Jazz with Vocals: Sa Aking Tabi by Jaya
Best Ballad Recording: Alipin Ako by Mari
Best Rock Recording: No Falter by Wolfgang
Best Instrumental Performance: John Lesaca Heal Our Land
Best Movie Theme Song: Habang Atin ang Gabi from La Vida Rosa by South Border
Best Christmas Recording: Can’t Stop Christmas by Martin Nievera
Best Music Video: Money for Food and Sumasarap ang Gumising by True Faith
Best Album Cover: Joseph de Veyra, Nothing I Want More by Sharon Cuneta
Album of the Year: A Better Man by Ogie Alcasid.
The Awit Awards night was hosted by Randy Santiago, Rachel Alejandro, Franco Laurel and Roselle Nava. Others who performed in the show were Dulce, Dessa, Ladine Roxas, Arnee Hidalgo.
Congratulations to all the winners. Congratulations too to PARI for a simple, well-produced presentation, albeit, low-key if compared to other awards nights. PARI should also take a bow for 15 years of the Awit Awards. This is no easy task and the organization has certainly made some mistakes and gotten its share of brickbats. But the Awit remains alive and mind you, this is despite monumental problems like diminishing sales, piracy and foreign music competition.