MANILA, Philippines - 101.9 For Life honors the creativity and originality of the Filipino artists in the music industry with the first ever WAKI OPM Music Awards tomorrow, April 25 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
Unlike other music awards, only 100 percent Pinoy works were included as official nominees while revivals, music sampling (for rap songs), Tagalized versions and the likes were disqualified.
Making the cut for the Album of the Year are Yeng Constantino’s Journey, Sandwich’s S Marks the Spot, Itchyworms’ self-titled album, and Moonstar 88’s Todo-Combo.
Martin Nievera, Bugoy Drilon, Piolo Pascual and Rico Blanco are nominated for Male Vocalist category, while Sarah Geronimo, Yeng, Aiza Seguerra, Laarni Lozada and KC Concepcion are nominees for Female Vocalist.
For the Band of the Year, it’s a showdown between Itchyworms, Hale, Spongecola, Sandwich, Moonstar 88, Cueshé and Imago.
Breakout Star, on the other hand, includes nominees Bugoy, Laarni, Bea Alonzo and KC.
For the song categories, Habambuhay (Yeng), Paano na Kaya? (Bugoy), Migraine (Moonstar 88), Ikaw ang Pangarap (Martin) and Kahit Na (Sarah) compete for the Senti Hit Award while dance crazes Giling Mo (Mocha), Supahpapalicious (Vhong Navarro), Sumayaw Ka (Gloc 9), Giling Giling (Willie Revillame) and K.I.T.T.Y. (Kitty Girls) vie for the Dance Hit category.
Sarah and Howie Dorough’s I’ll be There For You; Project 1’s Ang Sarap Dito; and Yeng’s Simbang Gabi are neck-to-neck in the Best Collaboration category as novelty hits Giling-Giling by Willie; Angkas by Masculados; Supahpapalicious by Vhong; and Malivodka by Andrew E. are only a notch away from being proclaimed the Best Novelty Song.
WAKI OPM Awards also gives the power to choose to avid Besprens through the Listener’s Choice Awards. Bugoy, Piolo, Erik Santos and Sam Milby battle it out for the male category as KC, Bea, Toni Gonzaga, Yeng and Sarah work it in the female category.
Meanwhile, special awards namely the Kantamercial of 2008, Song of the Year and DJ’s Choice Award will also be determined by the distinguished judges.