Best of the Philippines

Parokya Ni Edgar (PNE), the country’s most awarded pop rock band, added another glitter to their award vault when its “First Day Funk” video won the MTV Ayos Award for dance choreography during the 2005 MTV Pilipinas Awards night held last Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum, Cubao. Meanwhile, Rivermaya remains to be the band-to beat when it won Favorite Group (against strong contenders Bamboo and Sugarfree) and Favorite Song for “Balisong.” Continue below.

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The Plum PNE won was one of the night’s special awards that served enough proof that the group rose above mere comedy in their videos. Indeed, PNE showcased cool stuff turned phenomenon among the public. The said video’s campus-oriented, ‘back-to-school’ theme has endeared lots of students, what with effective interweaving of school life and product promotion.

Vocalist Chito Miranda, who exclaimed “Maraming Salamat!,” led his bandmates in accepting the ‘boxing glove’ trophy which perfectly symbolized the night’s “Knockout theme.” They did knock out the crowd (with the help of the highly celebrated Olympian Onyok Velasco) through their onstage humor the moment they presented the nominees for the Favorite Song award, eventually won by Rivermaya.

The delighted crowd cheered when Rivermaya frontman Rico Blanco jokingly kissed Chito with the latter returning the favor to a ‘sexy’ stage usherette; well, just a dosage of click ‘Parokya’ trick done without pushing things too much. To prove that, the rest of the band read their individual stage scripts in very amateurish, funny way and simply put on the crowd.

The MTV Award’s night had its share of highlight performances with Cueshe and Hale, winner of Favorite New Artists category, singing their hits “Stay” and “The Day You Said Goodnight,” respectively. Hale, one of today’s more popular local acts, was well greeted by the crowd upon appearing on stage to receive its trophy. However, they were knocked out by the newer six-man Cueshe who more aggressively delivered their debut smash hit segued with After Image’s “Next In Line.”

Kitchie Nadal, another special awardee, charmed the crowd with her signature “Wag Na Wag Mong Sasabihin” while two ‘speak-more-singles’ reggae sounding bands Radio Active Sago Project and Junior Kilat did a come-on opening act that both bewildered and, to some point, bored the audience. Balladeers Nina, Eric Santos, Rachel Ann Go (Favorite Female Artist awardee), and Christian Bautista (Favorite Male Artist winner) performed is style by shuffling their hits among themselves and sang each others’ numbers.

Parokya Ni Edgar (which is northern Philippines-bound next month for a much demanded performance at the University of Baguio) and Rivermaya were veteran band crowd pleasers that the mere presence of the bands’ members energized the Coliseum.

The awards rites also gave some rockers the chance to pay rites to Twisted Halo’s Wilfrid Hernandez, called within the music circle as “the Amazing Wolfmann,” who died earlier this week due to aneurysm. Members of Late Isabel, last year’s winner for Best Indie video (won this year by Drip for its Song no. 9 MTV), started the salute for the late rocker.

Jojo Alejar of “That’s Entertainment” fame appeared in a cameo role as a ring barker (The stage design is given a boxing right look) as KC Montero, Karylle, and Epi Quizon hosted the show. Comic boy Tado successfully put flavor into the night’s theme through the onscreen “Jun-Jun Jones Story” which narrates the funnily inspiring tale of a street guy-turned-boxing champ. The country’s boxing representatives to the upcoming SEA games also appeared as award presenters.

August 28, 2005

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