Sandwich tops the MTV Awards

MTV Pilipinas once more paid homage to Filipino artists by giving out the yearly MTV Pilipinas Video Music Awards last Aug. 14. The event was held at the PAGCOR Grand Theater of the Casino Pilipino in Parañaque. Leading the line-up of celebrity guests present were the visiting Australian rock band INXS with its new soloist J.D. Fortune and the Filipino finalist of the Rockstar: INXS search, Mig Ayesa.

As for the winners, Sandwich grabbed the lion’s share of the trophies at stake by bringing home four wins for the video of the hit single Sugod from the Five on the Floor album. These were for Best Director for Marie Jamora, Best Production Design in a Video, Best Editing in a Video and the juiciest plum of all, the Video of the Year Award. In second place is Mojofly with two wins for Tumatakbo.

You’d think that getting the latter should have already assured the band of also winning in the other categories they were nominated in, but that did not happen. They bagged four out of seven nominations but lost out in the Favorite Group in a Video, Favorite Rock Video, Best Cinematography in a Video and the Smart Hitmaker of the Year Award categories. No matter, this turned out to be for the good of everybody as other rockers in the house also went home happy. Of course, none of them were as happy as Sandwich who could have danced to Sugod mga kapatid, tayo ay magsama-sama... for hours on end that evening.

Although clearly inspired by the militant Andres Bonifacio and his katipuneros, Sugod is really all about having a good time. Its message is sing out, get up, move those feet and dance your hearts out. This, I am sure was what Sandwich did last Monday. The band is made up of Raimund Marasigan on vocals, guitars, synths, percs and melodica; Diego Castillo on guitars, vocals, toys and alien pillows; Mike Dizon on drums, vocals and videocam; Myrene Academia on bass, vocals and ps2; and Mong Alcaraz on guitars, vocals and iPod video.

Here now are the other winners:

Favorite Pop Video: Hale, Kung Wala Ka

Best Animated Video: Mojofly, Tumatakbo

Favorite Hip-Hop/ R ’n B Video: April, Stay Real

Favorite Rock Video: Pupil, Nasaan Ka?

Smart Texters’ Choice Hitmaker of the Year: Cueshé

Favorite Indie Video: Mojofly, Tumatakbo

Favorite International Video: Green Day, Wake Me Up When September Ends

Best Cinematography in a Video: Bamboo, Much Has Been Said

Favorite Group in a Video: Rivermaya, Sunday Driving

Favorite Male in a Video: Christian Bautista, Invincible

Favorite Female in a Video: Kitchie Nadal, Fire

Favorite New Artist in a Video: Sitti, Para sa Akin

MTV also gave out two special awards. One was the MTV Inspiration Award, which went to the visiting INXS for being a steadfast source of inspiration for musicians through the music they created during the past three decades. The other was the MTV Generation Award, which is given to artists who have influenced different generations of musicians and music lovers throughout their career. Winner Francis M received his award from Pilita Corrales and Ryan Cayabyab, his fellow judges at the Philippine Idol TV show. That was sweet and nice. However, I still cannot get over the fact that Francis who started out as a Bagets actor before he got into Mga Kababayan Ko, is now beginning to get his share of achievement awards! Time is passing by and doing it very, very fast!!! In case you haven’t noticed, September is only a few days away!!!

Now, back to the MTV Pilipinas Video Music Awards. This is for all of you out there who want to see who walked the red carpet, what happened during the show and to catch the electrifying performances by Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Up dharma Down, Dicta License, Urbandub, Imago, Itchyworms and Jay R. MTV has lined up more opportunities for you to watch the three-hour special and here’s the schedule of replays: Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 25, 11:30 a.m.; Aug. 26, 3:30 p.m.; Aug. 28, 9 p.m.; Aug. 31, 4:30 p.m. and Sept. 5 at 12 midnight.