A shining moment for Sponge Cola

Rock bands and singing champions rode a heated race towards the finish line in this year’s MYX Music Awards. And finally, the most popular among them, as indicated by the votes they got, were given their trophies during the star-studded, music-filled event staged by the country’s No. 1 music channel at the AFP Theater last March 15.

To the surprise of many, the top winner of the night was the group Sponge Cola. It was neck to neck throughout between these guys and the famous Kamikazee of Darna and Doobidoo-Bidoo fame. If I remember right, it was Kamikazee who got the most number of nominations this year. But as per the text votes counted, the Sponges prevailed and they went home with the following awards: Favorite Artist and Favorite Group for the band, plus Favorite Song and Favorite Rock Music Video for the song Bitiw.

It was also a very close fight between singing champs Erik Santos and Christian Bautista. May I remind you that both of them started out as contestants in the Star in a Million talent search. Erik won that contest while Christian was the finalist who was booted out early but then went on to singing fame not only in the Philippines but also in other Asian countries. They tied for three wins each this year.

Erik won Favorite Male Artist for the second time in a row. He also won for Favorite Remake for his recording of Alamid’s Your Love, and Favorite Collaboration for Bakit Ba Iniibig Ka, his duet with Regine Velasquez. Christian, on the other hand, got his for Favorite Music Video and Favorite Mellow Video for his song Invincible and for Favorite MYX Live Performance. Incidentally his win was made doubly sweet and memorable by the fact that his favorite girl Rachelle Ann Go bagged the Favorite Female Star Award for the second year in a row.

Of course despite those wins, the real men of the hour at the MYX Music Awards were Jim Paredes, Danny Javier and Boboy Garrovillo. The Apo Hiking Society trio was honored with the MYX Magna Award for its lasting contribution to Filipino pop music during these past 30 years. Also hailed with a showstopping musical number made up of the timeless songs by the legendary group was the success of the tribute album Kami nAPO Muna. The phenomenal sales of this recording featuring today’s acts performing Apo songs, triggered the present resurgence of interest in the Filipino music of the ‘70s.

The honor roll of the MYX Music Awards 2007:

Favorite Music Video: Invincible – Christian Bautista

Favorite Song: Bitiw – Sponge Cola

Favorite Artist: Sponge Cola

Favorite Rock Video: Bitiw – Sponge Cola

Favorite Urban Video: I Do – Nina

Favorite Mellow Video: Invincible – Christian Bautista

Favorite Remake: Your Love – Erik Santos

Favorite Male Artist: Erik Santos

Favorite Female Artist: Rachelle Ann Go

Favorite Group: Sponge Cola

Favorite Indie Artist: Kjwan

Favorite Media Soundtrack: Dahil Ikaw – True Faith – Sa Piling Mo

Favorite New Artist: Kala

Favorite Collaboration: Bakit Ba Iniibig Ka – Erik Santos and Regine Velasquez

Favorite MYX Live Performance: Christian Bautista

Favorite Guest Appearance in a Music Video: Chin Chin Gutierrez – Pintura – Kjwan.

Favorite International Music Video: Welcome to the Black Parade – My Chemical Romance

Most Downloaded Ringtone: Narda – Kamikazee

Favorite MYX Bandarito Performance: The Ambassadors

Favorite MYX Celebrity VJ: Michael V

Those who missed the telecast of the event can still catch the MYX Music Awards plus the Red Carpet and After Party Specials tomorrow at 7 p.m.; March 31, 9 p.m.; April 9, 3 p.m.; April 13, 5 p.m.; April 14, 12 p.m.; April 17, 9 p.m.; April 19, 6 p.m. and April 20, 11 a.m.

Get a load of the Apo tribute by various artists, Ely Buendia’s return to performing with his band Pupil, Rivermaya with ‘80s New Wavers Identity Crisis, plus presentors like Rufa Mae Quinto, Jett Pangan and Francis Reyes of The Dawn, Jay Contreras of Kamikazee, Andrea del Rosario, Ryan Cayabyab and others.

Music classes with Mr. C

Speaking of Ryan Cayabyab, the famous Mr. C. returns to teaching with a series of master classes for semi-professional and professional singers and music writers and arrangers at The Music School. This will start on the afternoon of March 31 with a short workshop on common use harmony for beginners and chord nomenclature for popular and jazz music writers. More courses will be available later so watch out for announcements about subjects like traditional harmony counterpoint, composition and others.

Those interested can call 914-5055 and 637-9840 or visit The Music School at Park Ave., Robinsons Galleria, EDSA cor. Ortigas, Mandaluyong City for more information.