Kyla tops MTV Philippines nominations

Things are finally starting to happen for Kyla. The 20-year-old pop artist copped a total of five nominations from MTV Pilipinas 2001, two of them in the much-coveted Best New Artist and Best Video categories. That means she got one or two more nominations than some of the biggest names in the local music business like Regine Velasquez, Lani Misalucha, the Eraserheads and Parokya ni Edgar.

These nominations come in the wake of three well-received singles from her debut album Way to Your Heart. Again, we ask, how many newcomers get three hit songs out of their first efforts? Not many. The most recent one who comes to mind is Jaya and that happened some years ago. Those who do invariably go on to super stardom. Kyla’s big sellers are Bring It On, Hanggang Ngayon and the recently released Nasan Ka? These songs, as well as others in the album are credited to Arnie Mendaros. I do not know who he is but he really accomplished a rare feat giving a first-timer like Kyla three hits in a row.

Kyla’s music is a folksy sort of R&B, which comes across as distinctly Pilipino. Hers are the kind of songs people, particularly young girls, are prone to break into while shooting the breeze with friends during lazy summer days. Hers is music that sounds so easy on the ears, although Kyla adds a lot of weight with her effortless phrasing and soulful delivery. At a time when even Pinoy artists are prone to over-production, Kyla’s appeal is refreshingly different.

The other songs in the album are Lost in Paradise, Summertime, Blind, One More Try, All I Need is You, Something Special and the title track Way to Your Heart. All of these titles were also all written by Mendaros. So if Kyla gets a fourth hit single, it means not only the arrival of a major singing star but also of an immensely promising songwriter.

Meanwhile today is your last day to cast your votes for your favorites and whom you believe most deserving to win at the MTV Pilipinas 2001, the event which honors music video production in the Philippines and where Kyla is the top contender. If her video of Hanggang Ngayon wins she will be representing the Philippines in the Southeast Asian MTV video competition where the winner gets to go to the MTV Video awards in the US of A and hobnob with Madonna, Christina Aguilera, the Backstreet Boys, Robbie Williams, and other big names in international pop music.

Here is the complete list of nominees:

New Artist: Kyla Hanggang Ngayon; Slapshock Agent Orange; Chico Science Sink or Swim; Radioactive Sago Project; Gusto Ko ng Baboy; Kaya Oblivious.

Group: Teeth Shooting Stars; Side A Will I Ever; Eraserheads Maskara; Slapshock Agent Orange; Parokya ni Edgar Inuman Na

Male Artist: Francis M Luv 4 Lyf; Ogie Alcasid Kahit Na; Mo Twister World Go Round; Gary V. I Will be Here; Gary V. Anak.

Female Artist: Viktoria To be Near You; Jessa Zaragoza Siya Ba ang Dahilan; Kyla Hanggang Ngayon; Regine Velasquez Lost without Your Love; Lani Misalucha One More Time.

Song: Hanggang Ngayon by Kyla; Agent Orange by Slapshock; Kahit Na by Ogie Alcasid; Maskara by Eraserheads; Inuman Na by Parokya ni Edgar.

Director: Lyle Sacris for Kyla’s Hanggang Ngayon; Mario Sarmiento for Battery’s Come to Me; Lyle Sacris for Chico Science’s Sink or Swim; Louie Igancio for Jessa Zaragoza’s Siya Ba ang Dahilan; Robert Quebral of Parokya ni Edgar’s Inuman Na.

Video: Hanggang Ngayon by Kyla; Shooting Star by Teeth; Come to Me by Battery; Inuman Na by Parokya ni Edgar; I Will be Here by Gary Valenciano; Siya Ba ang Dahilan by Jessa Zaragoza.

Vote for your choices through ballots that are available at Music One, Tower Records, Radio City, Odyssey Records, T.G.I. Friday’s, Outback Restaurant, Italianni’s Restaurant, MTV Style outlets and Sari-Sari stores. Lucky participants can win tickets to the MTV Awards shows, which will be held on June 8 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel.

Those interested can also send in their votes through www.—mtv—asia.com or by fax number 633-5649 or through the good old post office to address MTV Pilipinas 2001, P.O. Box 1696, Makati Central Post Office, 1256 Makati City, Philippines. Deadline for submission of the votes is today, Friday, May 25.