MTV does it again!

Only in da Pilipins! MTV Pilipins, that is.

In what other music video awards show can you find the first ever mosh pit, led by VJ KC Montero, in the country? Super B Rufa Mae Quinto talking about the technicalities of filmmaking? Eventologist Tim Yap yakking in eloquent Tagalog? VJ Donita Rose wearing Birkenstocks with chiffon?

Ever the barometer of youth pop culture, MTV managed to get away with anything and everything. Here, the winners were just as important as the VJs who were just as important as the presenters who were just as important as the performers. (They even had awards for Best Love Ballad and Most Fashionable Artist in a Music Video!)

For example: Martin Nievera may have been an excellent host that evening, but Gary V edged him out in the Best Male category. Cager Alex Compton and equestrienne Toni Leviste may be athletes, but they got away as award presenters. Inno Sotto and Tessa Prieto-Valdes may be style icons but they managed to pull off matching outfits in hot pink and red. Director Bobby Garcia and musical directors Louie Ocampo, Mel Villena may usually work backstage, but they were happily coaxed into the limelight just for that night.

But to the surprise of no one, scene-stealers Parokya ni Edgar, of Best Song Swimming Beach and the Musical Achievement Award, stole VJ Sarah Meier’s lines by reading from the TelePrompter and then spontaneously stripped and cartwheeled onstage afterwards.

And to the relief of the invitation-only audience, MTV did not forget to give credit where credit was due in the area of talent and artistry. Karylle was named Best New Artist and Best Female. Rivermaya reigned with a record three awards — Best Group, Best Director and Best Video for Umaaraw, Umuulan. And models Borgy Manotoc, Rissa Samson, Nancy Castiglione and Marco Lobregat all got points for looking stunning.

The NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio that evening housed spectacular medleys of the music industry’s very best. The night’s opening medley featured the hits of Barbie’s Cradle, Rivermaya and True Faith; a tribute medley to the Fathers of Pinoy Rock was done by Megan Aguilar, Karl and Kevin Roy, and Carol Banawa; and the closing number, Umagang Kay Ganda, was rendered beautifully by Jet Pangan, Image, 7 Shots of Wisdom, Grace Nono. And what happened in between? Oh, just a rocking number by Greyhoundz, a duet by Gary V and Kyla, and a heartrending solo by Regine Velasquez!

MTV Pilipinas 2002 premieres on Channel 41 on June 29 at 2 p.m., with repeats on July 1 at 6 p.m., July 5 at 12 n.n., July 7 at 9 p.m., and July 13 at 9 p.m.