Awit winner Gary V has a new album

Gary Valenciano won his ninth Best Male Performance Award last Thursday at the 19th Awit Awards. It was for his inspirational song Break Me and it was one of his three nominations in the same category. The others were for Ikaw Lamang and Lipad Ng Pangarap. This means that winning for him was not really difficult this year. But then the word easy is really descriptive of Gary’s history with the Awit. He has already won in 41 categories during these past years. In some cases these were for interpreter, producer and writer of a song. As of this writing he already has 55 Awit trophies out of 85 nominations.

That must be the reason why the Philippine Association of Record Industry decided it is time to give Gary the Awit Dangal Lifetime Achievement Award along with his buddy Martin Nievera. But what will be seen by many as the crowning glory of an illustrious career is really just a break after several chapters. This is because Gary V has already ensured that he will once more be among the frontrunners in next year’s Awit Awards derby with the recent release of Relevance.

This is Gary’s first all-new studio recording in over three years and it brings back Gary V, the pop music artist as he interprets a variety of materials. Admittedly, the Gary of these past years seesawed between inspirational ballads and media theme songs. Now that decision was not really a mistake because he did make a series of hits with songs like How Did You Know and Ikaw Lamang. Please remember though that Gary’s big edge over his contemporaries was the fact that he was also an excellent songwriter and arranger. Remember Eto Na Naman, Di Bale Na Lang, Sana Maulit Muli and others. I guess it is now about time to put these talents to use again.

Wait Forever, a ballad composed by Jude Gitamondoc is the first single release. Even for a While is another good single choice. But because they really missed this joyous side of him, I am sure that Gary V fans will greatly enjoy his return to dance mode with I Know What You Want, Shake It Off and a new cover of his Wag Mo Na Sanang Isipin with his daughter Kiana.

The other titles included are You Gave Me Reason by the Scandinavian team of Aleman/Bertilsson and Hobbs; Kailan Pa by Gitamondoc; Did It Ever by Francis Funa and Richard Cayabyab; Only a Friend also by Gitamondoc; You Are by Clint Brown, a duet with Joni Villanueva; In Another Lifetime and Sana Bukas both by new composer Gitamondoc.

So take time now to get a listen of Gary’s once familiar other sides. He seemed to have enjoyed the trip while making Relevance. I am sure you will too.

Meanwhile, to all the happy winners of this year’s Awit Awards, Congratulations and let us all continue working to keep the Filipino music industry alive and so much for clichés, also kicking.

• People’s Choice, Male and Female Recording Artists: Martin Nievera and Rachelle Ann Go, Best Group: Hale, Best Song: Hallelujah

• Performance by a Female Recording Artist: Barbie Almalbis, Just a Smile

• Performance by a Duet: Nina and Thor, The Closer I Get to You

• Performance by a Group: Bamboo, Hallelujah

• Performance by a New Female Recording Artist: April, Stay Real

• Performance by a New Male Recording Artist: OJ Mariano, Maghihintay Sa ’Yo

• Performance by a New Group: Pupil, Nasaan Ka

• Instrumental Performance: Renato Lucas & Raul Sunico, Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan

• Album of the Year: Light, Peace, Love, Bamboo

• Song of the Year: Hallelujah, Bamboo

• Best Selling Album: Live! Nina

• Best Ballad: Much Has Been Said, Bamboo in a tie with The Day You Said Good Night, Hale

• Best Rock: Hallelujah, Bamboo

• Best World Alternative Music: Akin Ka Na Lang, Itchy Worms

• Best Rap: 6 in the Morning, Dice and K9

• Best Jazz: Let Go, Mon David

• Best R&B: Asa, South Border

• Best Novelty: Ragarabo, Boy2 Quizon

• Best Dance: Stay Real, April

• Best Christmas: Isang Taong Lumipas, San Miguel Philharmonic and San Miguel Master Chorale

• Song Written for Movie/TV/Stage: You’ll Be Safe Here from Spirits, Rivermaya

• Video of the Year: You’ll be Safe Here, Rivermaya

Watch out for the announcement of the telecast of the awards night on MTV soon.