Of course, as most of you certainly know Pinoy Rock is back with the proverbial vengeance and NU is out there ready once more to honor the best. Trophies will be given out at the World Trade Center on Dec. 1. Tickets at P350 are available at SM Ticketnet outlets and at the Araneta Coliseum box-office. To make sure your favorite artists get the awards, check out the booths at leading malls and at Odyssey stores in Metro Manila.
The nominees:
Best New Artist: Updharmadown, Callalily, Rocksteddy, Kala and Reggae Mistress.
Vocalist of the Year: Jay Contreras of Kamikazee; Gabby Alipe of Urbandub; Armi Millare of Updharmadown; Aia de Leon of Imago; Raimund Marasigan of Sandwich and Pochoy Labog of Dicta License.
Guitarist of the Year: Mong Alcaraz of Sandwich and Chicosci; Jomal Linao of Kamikazee; John Dinopol of Urbandub; Carlos Tenada of Updharmadown and Boogie Romero of Dicta License.
Bassist of the Year: Myrene Academia of Sandwich and Imago; Lalay Lim of Urbandub; Paul Yap of Updharmadown; Dok Sergio of Pupil and Kelvin Yu of The Itchyworms.
Drummer of the Year: Allan Burdeos of Kamikazee; John Mendoza of Urbandub; Paolo Santiago of Join the Club; Jazz Nicolas of Itchyworms and J-hoon Balbuena of Kapatid.
Best Live Act: Kamikazee, Sandwich, Imago and Join the Club.
Rising Sun Award: Updharmadown, Imago, The Itchyworms, Join the Club, Paramita and Dicta License.
In the Raw Award: Drip, Silent Sanctuary, Point Click Kill, Sleepy Heads and Playphonics.
Song of the Year: Narda by Kamikazee; First of Summer by Urbandub; OO by Updharmadown; Sugod by Sandwich; Beer by The Itchyworms; Nobela by Join the Club and Nasaan Ka by Pupil.
Artist/ Band of the Year: Kamikazee, Urbandub, Sandwich, Pupil and The Itchyworms.
Best Male Award: Jay Contreras of Kamikazee; Bamboo Mañalac of Bamboo; Gabby Alipe of Urbandub; Pochoy Labog of Dicta License and Mong Alcaraz of Chicosci.
Best Female Award: Aia de Leon of Imago; Barbie Almalbis; Armi Millare of Updharmadown; Ria Bautista of Paramita; and Lougee Basabas of Mojofly.
Album of the Year: Maharot by Kamikazee; Fragmented by Updharmadown; Five on the Floor by Sandwich; Beautiful Machines by Pupil; Noontime Show by The Itchyworms and Embrace by Urbandub.
Best Album Packaging: Inksurge.com for Five on the Floor of Sandwich; Allan Burdeos for Maharot of Kamikazee; Electrolychee.com for Blush of Imago; Kahlil de Pio and Urbandub for Embrace of Urbandub; John Ed de Vera for Panorama of 6Cyclemind and Apple Sta. Maria for Noontime Show of The Itchyworms.
Best Music Video of the Year: Sugod of Sandwich directed by Marie Jamora; Martyr Nyebera of Kamikazee directed by Avid Liongoren; Doo Bi Doo of Kamikazee directed by Topel Lee; Bitiw of Spongecola directed by Gorio Cicuna and Jeepney of Kala directed by Tin Tayag.
Producer of the Year: Angee Razul, Jonathan Ong, Allan Burdeos, 8 Toleran and Jomal Linao for Maharot of Kamikazee; Noel de Brackinghe at Sweetspot and Updharmadown for Fragmented of Updharmadown; Buddy Zabala for Five on the Floor by Sandwich; Pupil with Patrick Tirano for Beautiful Machines of Pupil; Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala and Itchyworms for Noontime Show of Itchyworms and Kerryl Demetrio and Urbandub for Embrace of Urbandub.
Reader’s choice
Got this letter from George Punzalan of Cebu City where in anticipation of the coming awards season, he has come up with his own list of what he believes were the best of 2006.
Best Male: Christian Bautista
Best Female: Sarah Geronimo
Best Group: Kamikazee
Best Album: KAMInaAPO Muna Tribute to the Apo Hiking Society by Various Artists.
Best Ballad: I Still Believe in Loving You by Sarah Geronimo.
Best Rock: Narda by Kamikazee
Best Traditional Pop Ballad: When I Met You by Martin Nievera
Most Promising New Artist: Sitti
Lifetime Achievement Award: The Apo Hiking Society.