31st Awit Awards nominees revealed

The 2018 Awit Awards nominations have been released and I am happy to say that this is proof that the Philippine music industry is alive and well. Our music business has learned to embrace change. Think of the disappearance of the CD and the move to streaming and downloads. And what about the forced switch from an album market to one of singles only. Best of all the acceptance of the diversity of sounds and styles is truly remarkable.

A great thing to do to get a good grasp of these tunes is to listen to this year’s nominees. Pop music these days can be any genre and can come from anywhere and the Pinoys are doing their own takes on these. So when the list of nominees includes a legendary diva like Regine Velasquez-Alcasid alongside a very young alternative band named IV Of Spades, then I can truly say that the future is very bright for Pinoy music.

Regine’s three-CD release 30th anniversary album titled R3.0 is nominated for Album of the Year and is up against Jona by Jona; Soul Supremacy by KZ Tandingan, REQ, Michael Pangilinan and TJ Monterde; Rotonda by Gloc9; and Palm Dreams by James Reid. Regine herself is also nominated for Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist for R3.0’s carrier single Hugot. Also nominated are Sampu by Jona; Titibo-Tibo by Moira dela Torre; Labo by KZ; and 241 by Janine Tenoso.

Now on its 31st year, the Awit Awards is a project of the Philippine Association of Record Industry recognizing laudable work in the field of music recording. Here are the rest of 2018 nominees.

Performance by a Male Artist: Kabilang Dako by Jay-R; Dying Inside To Hold You by Darren Espanto; Idjay by Davey Langit; Nakakalokal by Ogie Alcasid; Cool Down by James Reed.

Collaboration: Til The End Of Time by Jona feat. BoybandPH; Kung Ako Na Lang Sana by Kaye Cal feat. Maya & Michael Pangilinan; Rotonda by Gloc9 and Joey Ayala; Bituin by Shehyee and Keiko Necesario; Unang Hakbang by Quest feat. Keiko.

Performance by a Group Artists: Gisingin Mo Na Lang Ako (Kung Tayo Na) by Eevee; Cool Lang (On & Off) by True Faith; Peroplano by Acapellago; Hey Barbara by IV Of Spades; Maybe The Night by Ben&Ben.

Performance by a New Female Artist: The Greatest Love Of All by Jona Soquite; Walang Tayo by Ana Ramsey; Finally Found It by Claudia Barretto; Ang Bagal Mo Chong by Aubrey Caraan; Walk Alone by SaBu.

Performance by a New Male Artist: Gaga by Nar Cabico; Refrain by Ian Veneracion; Maybe It’s Time by RJ dela Fuente; Invincible by Joseph Santos; Tanging Ikaw by Jem Cubil.

Performance by a New Group Artists: Till The Speakers Blow by Sub Projekt; Super Hero by Partners In Rhymes; Tanghaling Tapat by Unit406; Paano Na by After5; One Plus One by Nitro.

Song of the Year: Mahika by Titus John Monterde; Labo by Jungee Marcelo; Titibo-Tibo by Libertine Amistoso; Sampu by Raizo Chabeldin and Biv de Vera; TRPKNNMN by Aristotle Pollisco; Unang Hakbang by Jose Villanueva III.

Record of the Year: Mahika by TJ Monterde; Labo by KZ Tandingan; Titibo-Tibo by Moira dela Torre; Kapit by Christian Bautista; Hey Barbara by IV Of Spades.

Ballad: Kung Alam Mo Lang by Zsaris; Daraan Lamang by Cooky Chua; Ikaw Ang Tanging Pag-ibig Ko by Ogie Alcasid; Naririnig Mo Ba by Morissette; Sandaang Habambuhay by Yassi Pressman.

Pop: Demonyo by Juan Karlos Labajo; Nakakalokal by Ogie Alcasid; Kapit by Christian Bautista; Tandang-Tanda by Thyro and Yumi; Run Run by Leanne and Naara.

Rock/Alternative: Gisingin Mo Na Lang Ako (Kung Tayo Na) by Eevee; Juan Leg Chacha by Mitoy Yonting; Demonyo by Juan Karlos Labajo; Manila by Rivermaya; Tempura by Spongecola.

World Music: Idjay by Davey Langit; Air Tonight by Bugoy Drilon; Maybe The Night by Ben&Ben; Gabi Ng Lagim by The Chongkeys.

Novelty: Gaga by Nar Cabico; So Long Talong by Jojo Alejar; Gigil Si Aquo by Vice Ganda; Toinks by Maymay Entrata; Aspin by Awra.

Dance: Into You by Fern; Paano Na by After5; Prinsesa by Pop Girls; Friction by Edana and MOOPHS; Phone Down by MOOPHS feat. Sam Concepcion.

Inspirational: Pagkakataon (Wag Kang Titigil) by Miles Experience; Tell The World Of His Love by Various Artists; Restart Back Into Love by Various Artists; Skybound by Regine Velasquez Alcasid; Leaves by Ben&Ben.

Christmas: Santa Dear by Hazel Faith; Buong Pusong Magmahalan Ngayong Pasko by Various Kapuso Artists; Una Kong Pasko by Papa Obet; Just Love by Various Artists; Simbang Gabi by About Radio.

Rap/Hip Hop: Sulong by The Hybrid Project; Ang Panday by Ebe Dancel and Gloc9; Nadarang by Shanti Dope; TRPKNNMN by Gloc9 feat. Agsunta; Bituin by Shehyee and Keiko Necesario.

R&B: Your Space by South Border; Isang Numero by Kris Lawrence; Imposible by KZ Tandingan; Tayo Na Lang Kasi by Kyla and Jason Dy; Unleash The Diva by 4th Impact.

Regional: Diri by Poppert; Cebuana by Karencita; Gibuhat Ko Ang Tanan by Jude Pastor; Inday by Juanita Romualdez; Tumang Kamingaw by Empty Canvass.

Song Written for Movie/TV/Stage Play: Alaalarawan by Noel Comia Jr. from Kiko Boksingero; Ang Panday by Ebe Dancel and Gloc9; Saglit by Moira dela Torre from The Better Half; Sa Ngalan Ng Pag-ibig by Jessa Zaragoza from Hanggang Saan; Mi Amor by Nicole Omillo from Tabi Po.

Musical Arrangement: Wala Lang by Jungee Marcelo; Sunshine by Miles Experience; Itatago Lang by Albert Tamayo; Nakakalokal by Jem Florendo; Matibay by Marvin Querido; 241 by Benjie Pating Jr.

Vocal Arrangement: Til The End Of Time; Kung Ako Na Lang Sana; and Unleash The Diva, all by Jonathan Manalo; Head Over Heels by Moy Ortiz; Peroplano by Acapellago.

Engineered Album: Sunshine by Eric Perlas of Tower of Doom; Nakakalokal by Angee Rozul Studio; Last Goodnight by Dante Tanedo of Bellhaus Recording Studio; Alon by Roll Martinez and Christanthony Vinzons of East First Studio.

Video of the Year: Manila by Rivermaya; Hey by Matteo Guidicelli; Tempura by SpongeCola; TRPKNNMN by Gloc9 feat. Agsunta; Bituin by Shehyee feat. Keiko Necesario; Where Have You Been My Disco? by IV Of Spades.