Stiff competition at the Awit Awards

Vibrant competition is what the 17th Awit Awards will present on Sept. 9, at The Tent in Fort Bonifacio Global City in Makati.

Stellar status takes a backseat for musical excellence as big stars face off with upstarts for honors. Multi-platinum sellers and industry veterans Gary Valenciano and Parokya ni Edgar lead off with the most number of nominations (seven and eight, respectively).

Not far behind, however, and often in the same categories, are the likes of Nyoy Volante and Arnee Hidalgo who both emerged on the scene barely a year ago.

Chart-toppers, as expected, secured the nod of Awit jurors after multi-level screenings. Novelty tunes Otso Otso and Mr. Suave (that alternated for weeks on end at the number one spot late last year) and R&B smash Bakit Pa Ba (which catapulted Jay-R into male icon status just a few months ago) figure prominently in song categories.

Then again, the popularity sweep is blurred with the appearance of some unreleased singles in the 27-category list. An example is Mapansin (Best Ballad) by Paolo Santos (Best Performance by A New Male Recording Artist), mined from his album with more high profile tracks.

Song of the Year bets is a melange of rock (All I Need by Barbie Almalbis and Biglaan by 6Cyclemind), pop (Forever’s Not Enough, Sarah Geronimo), acoustic (Nasaan, Nyoy Volante and Mannos) and R&B (Bakit Pa Ba).

All Awit Album of the Year finalists are certified Gold Record at least. The three record companies with the most number of nominations are Universal Records (29), Star Records (22) and BMG Music Pilipinas (13).

Singing and songwriting contests wielded tremendous clout by fielding their products in several categories. Star In A Million champion Erik Santos is nominated in the male recording categories while Star For A Night victor Sarah Geronimo justifies the Pop Princess claim by landing on the majors (Song of the Year and Best Performance By A Female Recording Artist).

Entries to songwriting tilts Himig Handog Love Songs and Metropop ran away with recognitions, too. Narito Lang Ako (Best Performance By A Female Recording Artist for Vina Morales), Stop Think (Best Performance by A New Female Recording Artist for Aliya Parcs), Kailan Ka Darating (Best Musical Arrangement) and Bye Bye Na (Best Alternative Music) are from the former while Malayo Man Malapit Din (Best Alternative Music) and With A Smile (Best Jazz Recording), the latter.

Pop stars dominate the Best Inspirational/Religious category. These are Lea Salonga (We Are Yours), Nyoy Volante With Mannos (Because Of Your Love), Carol Banawa (Awit Sa Ina Ng Sto. Rosario), Jamie Rivera (Mysteria Lucis) and Karylle (Awit Sa Ina Ng Sto. Rosario).

Using computers during screenings, Awit finalists are the tabulated top five high scorers per category. Almost 400 entries were considered then narrowed down to the final 135.

Following is a partial list of categories and nominees:

Best Performance By A Female Recording Artist-Lani Misalucha (Malaya Ka Na), Sarah Geronimo (Forever’s Not Enough), Vina Morales (Narito Lang Ako), Anna Fegi (Saan Ka Na Kaya Ngayon and Arnee Hidalgo (Cold Summer Nights).

Best Performance By A Male Recording Artist- Gary Valenciano (Ang Aking Munting Bituin and Kailangan Kita), King (Maybe) and Erik Santos (I Believe I Can Fly).

Best Performance By A New Female Recording Artist — Everybody Needs to Be Loved (Najah), True (Arnee), Forever’s Not Enough (Sarah Geronimo), Stop Think (Aliya Parcs) and The Love You Want (Michelle Ayalde)

Best Performance By A New Male Recording Artist — Maybe (King), She (Paolo Montalban), Mapansin (Paolo Santos), Let Me Love You (Jed Madella) and I Believe I Can Fly (Erik Santos).

Song of the Year- All I Need (Barbie’s Cradle), Forever’s Not Enough (Sarah Geronimo), Nasaan (Nyoy Volante with Mannos), Mr. Suave (Parokya ni Edgar), Biglaan (6Cyclemind) and Bakit Pa Ba? (Jay R).

Album of the Year- Paolo Santos’ Playlist, Nyoy Volante’s Acoustic: Nyoy Volante with Mannos, Parokya ni Edgar’s Bigotilyo, Gary Valenciano’s Gary Valenciano At The Movies and Martin Nievera’s Chasing Time Vol. 2.