Prizes for everybody at the Awit Awards

Could be better is the usual reply that outsiders get from the music people inhabiting the local recording industry. And better, it can be once users and most of all music lovers, get the hang of the Internet for their music buying needs.  This will give record companies a chance to prosper again by selling their hits and allow artists and producers to finally get paid for their work. 

There is really nothing wrong with the local music business. It is just in the midst of the transition to the new technology. This is a worldwide thing that has already recreated a resurgence of music profitability in other countries. Once acceptance of this is completed in the Philippines, then it will be as the old song says, “happy days again.”

Meanwhile, while waiting for this change to happen, PARI, the Philippine Association of Record Industries, continues with its annual morale booster, the Awit Awards.  This was held at the KIA Theater, Araneta Center last Nov. 26 and how nice to find out that almost all of the PARI member companies went home with a trophy or more.  Times may be bad for the moment but that will in no way stop them from creating the best recordings possible.

Here now are the winners of the 2017 Awit Awards.  Check out these sounds on the web and if you like them, do download or stream to buy your own copy.

Best Performance Awards

Female Recording Artist: Naluluha Ako by Kim Molina, Viva Music.

Male Recording Artist: Visions by Gabby Alipe, MCA Music, Inc.

Group Recording Artist: Dalawang Letra by Itchyworms, Star Music.

New Male Recording Artist: Defenseless by Zion Aquino, Star

New Female Recording Artist: Win The Fight by Ylona Garcia Star

New Group Recording Artist: Laro by Autotelic, MCA

Collaboration: Monumento, Kyla and Kris Lawrence, Star

Child or Children: This Little Child by Krystal Brimner, Star

Creativity Awards

Album of the Year: Life of a Champion by Quest, produced by Jose Villanueva III and Jonathan Ong, Warner Music.

Song of the Year:  Dahil Sa ‘yo by Inigo Pascual, composed by Inigo Pascual, rap by Gabriel Tagadtad, Star

Ballad Recording: Ever My Only Love by Zion Aquino, produced and composed by Trina Belamide, Star

R&B Recording: Really Over You by Zion Aquino, produced and composed by Trina Belamide, Star

Inspirational Recording: Higher by Quest, produced by Jonathan Ong, composed by Jose “Quest” Villanueva III, Warner

Rock/Alternative Recording: Visions by Gabby Alipe, produced and composed by Gabby Alipe with Eric Perlas, MCA

Rap/Hip-Hop Recording: Industriya by Gloc-9 featuring KZ Tandingan, produced by Marvin Querido, composed by AristotIe Pollisco, Star.

Dance Recording: Dumadagundog by Yassi Pressman, produced by Civ Fontanilla, Brian Cua and Mike Villegas, composed by Brian Cua and Mike Villegas, Viva

Novelty Recording: Taxi Driver by Bassilyo, produced by Enrico del Rosario Ilacad, composed by Bassilyo and Jeff Gungon, MCA

World Music Recording: Pare-Pareho by Banda Ni Kleggy feat. Bayang Barrios, produced and composed by Darwin Hernandez, Warner.

Pop Recording: O Pag-ibig by Ylona Garcia and Bailey May,  produced by Jack Rufo, composed by Honlani Rabe and Jack Rufo, Star.

Christmas Recording: Ngayong Pasko by Jireh Lim, produced by Jinno Mina and Ferdie Marquez, composed by John Jireh Lim, Warner.

Record of the Year: Dalawang Letra by Itchyworms, produced by Jazz Nicolas and Davy Langit, composed by Davy Langit.

Regional Recording: Usahay by Martin Nievera, produced by Chito Ilagan, composed by Gregorio Labja, Polyeast Records.

Song Written for a Movie, for TV, or the Stage: From the Teleserye Alamat ng Dama de Noche by Francheska Farr, produced by GMA Post Productions, lyrics by Ann Margaret R. Figueroa, GMA Records.

Technical Achievement Awards

Musical Arrangement: Nobody But You by Gino Cruz, Viva.

Vocal Arrangement: Stars Are Aligned by Acapellago, Viva.

Engineered Recording: Reyna Ng Puso Ko by Dante Tanedo of Bellhous Studios, Star.

Other Awards

Cover Art: Transparent by Nina Ledesma, graphic designer with concept by Darwin Hernandez, Warner.

Music Video of the Year: Hagdan by Jennylyn Mercado, produced by John Daza, directed by Tey Clamor, Ivory.

Best Selling Album of the Year: Be With Me by Darren Espanto, produced by Enrico del Rosario Ilacad and Francis Guevarra.