IV of Spades, SB19, Dionela win big at the Awit Awards

The music industry has spoken. The winners of the 39th Awit Awards were handed out in what must be the biggest show ever staged by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI).

Held at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena last Sept. 15, the event was the first in Awit history to be opened to the public. Fans who bought tickets were not disappointed. They saw today’s major music stars together in a show of solidarity during a most exciting time for Filipino music.

The big winners were IV of Spades in a grand comeback with the Album of the Year Award for their “Andalucia;” SB19 for its dance track DUNGKA!, including a recognition for its resident songwriter and frontman Pablo; and in a nod to today’s exciting hip-hop trend, trophies for Dionela and Loonie.

The most thrilled of them all, though, was Nicole, who was named Best New Artist. He is the 20-year-old singer and songwriter whose dreamy Panaginip has been threatening to seize the No. 1 spot in the charts from current top streamer Pag-ibig ay Kanibalismo by fitterkarma.

Nicole comes from Quezon City. He is a BS Criminology student at San Sebastian College Recoletos in Manila and wants to go into forensic science.

Then he discovered the guitar and that he could sing and write songs. Forensics is a far cry from singing and writing music, but maybe he can manage to do both. Or he can just give up one for the other. Getting that No. 1 spot for Panaginip might just make the decision easier.

Here now is the honor roll of the 39th Awit Awards:

•Record of the Year: Pag-ibig ay Kanibalismo by fitter karma.

•Song of the Year: Aura by IV of Spades.

•Album of the Year: ‘Andalucia’ by IV of Spades.

•Best New Artist: Nicole, Panaginip.

•Producer of the Year: Brian Lotho; IV of Spades.

•Songwriter of the Year: John Paulo Nase or Pablo of SB19 with RADKIDZ.

•Best Music Video: DUNGKA! by SB19, directed by Kerbs Balagtas.

•Performance by a Solo Artist: What If I Miss You for the Rest of My Life, Janine Berdin.

•Performance by a Group: Saranggola, Ben&Ben.

•Collaboration Performance: Ikigai, Dionela ft. Loonie.

•Ballad Recording: What If I Miss You for the Rest of My Life, Janine Berdin.

•Pop Recording: DUNGKA!, SB19.

•Rock/Metal Recording: Rupture, Typecast.

•Alternative Recording: Telepono, One Click Straight.

•R&B Recording: Ikigai, Dionela ft. Loonie.

•Rap/Hip-hop Recording: Ikigai, Dionela ft. Loonie.

•Dance/ Electronic Recording: DUNGKA!, SB19.

•Jazz Recording: Yamot-Ennui by Project Yazz.

•Inspirational Recording: Nandiyan Ka, Ice Seguerra.

•Traditional Contemporary Folk Recording: Malalim ang Gabi, Project Yazz.

•Christmas Recording: Love, Joy, Hope, Various Artists, ABS-CBN Station ID.

•Musical Theater Recording: Gregoria Lakambini, Nica del Rosario and the original cast.

•Original Soundtrack Recording: Hanapin ang Sarili, Morissette from “Lord of the Fireflies.”

•Recording by a Child or for Children: To be Close to Jesus, Young Voices of the Philippines.

•Novelty Recording: Baduy, VVink, DJ Love, ft. Pio Balbuena.

•Instrumental Recording: The Awakening, Kiss the Bride.

•World Music Recording: Love on Loop, Lola Amour.

•Global Collaboration Recording: The Moment, Lola Amour, KOKORO OF PSYCHIC FEVER.

•Regional Recording: Ayaw Baya, Arthur Nery.

•Musical Arrangement: Saranggola, Ben&Ben.

•Vocal Arrangement: Ikigai, Dionela.

•Sound Engineered Recording: Monster, IV of Spades.

•Remix Recording: Sabi Ko Na, YARA, Nateman (DJ) Remixer, Yung Bawal.

•Cover Art: Not That Girl, Barbie Almalbis, designer Martin Honasan.

Congratulations to all the winners.