And whatever the pros and cons, the Rock Awards is one hell of a party that Pinoy Rock deserves to throw for itself.
In truth, despite the bombast of the performances over the years, the Rock Awards has always been about more than just the rock n’ roll. (Music, that is.) Asked about their most vivid memories of the past shows, Zach Lucero and Myrene Academia, both still DJs at NU at the time, pointed to the night when no less than Rosanna Roces came out with bombshells of her own. Presenting the biggest award of the night, the star came out in what Zach can only describe as a "peeka-boob fishnet outfit" and unabashedly made giggling boys out of even the supposedly virile rock gods in attendance. "She started it all," declares Myrene.
Indeed, from then on hot babes (including but not limited to the trademark Viva group) have been trying to outdo Osang’s legendary cunning stunt. From Ara Mina to Cheska Garcia, Avi Siwa to Joyce Jimenez, Pinoy Rock’s bosom has been ample enough to accommodate everyone from the jologs to the fashionistas, the artistes to the artistas. "Andrea del Rosario’s sexy ass!" is Jay from Kamikazee’s enthusiastic reply when asked about his Rock Awards’ Greatest Hits. Speaking of Andrea del Rosario, she too made Rock Awards history after making out with Michelle Bayle on the presenter’s stage. Shame that it had to follow the famous Madonna/Britney/Christine Aguilera three-way, though, lessening its audience impact. Even comedienne Tuesday Vargas had her share of naughty onstage hanky panky, slapping and humping one of the awardees in the rear as they went to get their award. (We’re pretty sure it’s either Parokya or Kamikazee.)
As expected, there have been a lot of humorous moments throughout the history of the Rock Awards. Parokya ni Edgar drummer Dindin Moreno recalls their vocalist Chito Miranda "getting a cut on his eyebrow after hitting his head on the Artist of the Year trophy!" Meanwhile, Alamat Comics’ Budjette Tan cites the time that Diether Ocampo almost got killed. "(He) was saying, ‘Jologs kayo! Jologs kayo!’ (to the crowd)," relates Budjette. Of course, poor purehearted Diether meant to follow up that comment with the line "Jologs din kasi ako," pertaining to his hit 2002 film of the same title. He didn’t get the response he’d hoped for, however, as he was greeted with water bottles and death threats from the madding crowd.
Some exchanges weren’t that violent but no less nasty. Pinup Girls’ front man and former host of the program Eurorock Mon Castro chided co-presenter/The Dawn guitarist Francis Reyes as being a dead ringer for veteran actress Caridad Sanchez. According to Gweilos’ big man Mario de Castro, Reyes retorted by introducing Mon as the "first boyfriend of Jolina." (Which, by all accounts, is true.)
And then there were the tribal wars, which is where things got ugly. The year the Eraserheads swept the rock awards they were booed because the crowd preferred Wolfgang. The year Wolfgang won all, they were booed in favor of Razorback. The year Razorback bagged everything, they were mocked because they weren’t Slapshock. The year Slapshock took home the bacon the crowd chanted "KE-SO!" in unison, pressuring Slapshock vocalist Jamir to make a special mention of Cheese in his "thank you" speech.
But really, the most unexpected and exciting aspect of the Rock Awards is really the audience. They can be very tolerant and supportive like last year’s, but they can also be total savages who are willing to tear down anyone who gets in the way of their favorite band winning. It gets ugly sometimes, like the time the World Trade Center people had to open all the doors because people were getting crushed against them, but when it works it works.
"I remember one Rock Awards show (I believe it was in 1998) where everyone wore Voltes V Masks in the middle of a confetti storm," recounts mainstream filmmaker Vlad Masaya. "And I always stick around the audience area after the show because I like hearing the fans do their post-R.A. discussion, composed mostly of statements like, ‘Grabe nakita mo ba ‘yung panty ni Julia Clarete?’ But hey, what can you do?"
Of course, what are the Rock Awards without the rock stars? The Rock Awards Event is that one time during the year where bands have a good excuse to go fashyown, to live out their rock star stadium/Golden God fantasies in a venue where people not only welcome, but actually expect odd behavior and dress sense. I remember that time in ’95 when a fresh new little combo called Parokya Ni Edgar did a disco medley at Limits Disco. I can’t even begin to count the number of times Joey Pepe Smith has suddenly appeared onstage to jam with a band, eliciting sounds akin to packs of chimpanzees starting a war from the crowd.
People wonder why such a niche event could be called "the biggest event of the year"? The answer is fairly simple. The Rock Awards is not merely a social event – it’s a heartfelt one, a celebration of one of the most deviant forms of popular music ever invented, filled with (to quote Eric Caruncho) punks, poets and poseurs, with some sexy women added to the mix.
(Although this writer wondered not too long ago why women feel they have to dress in leather or vinyl gear to evoke "rock chick chic" – which worked for Olivia Newton John’s character Sandy in the finale of Grease –director John Waters has pointed out the obvious attractions of the good girl playing a "slut.")
It’s that one time of the year where you can dress up and pay respect to the most unrespectable form of music, and have fun not only with fans like yourself but the people who make the music as well. The Rock Awards, something that started out as a little joke over a coffee meeting, has lasted 13 years and will probably last a lot longer because when it comes down to brass tacks, it’s actually the only music awards event where people really have the most fun. And everything else that follows – the fashion, the chicks, the intrigue, the fights – it’s still rock ‘n’ roll, baby.
The NU 107.5 Rock Awards is happening on Dec. 1 at the World Trade Center. Tune in to NU 107.5 DWFM or just check out Igan’s space for the complete details. We’re too rock ‘n’ roll, so we couldn’t be bothered.