Manila Sound Project proudly Pinoy at Musikat

MANILA, Philippines - The crowd had goose pimples and was almost teary-eyed as Manila Sound Project sang the finale Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika, waving Philippine flags at Resorts World’s MUSIKAT festival at Newport Plaza. As singer Lara Cuevas hit a crescendo at the end of the song, the crowd broke into thunderous applause. The patriotic streak just hit everyone in the crowd.

Manila Sound Project was conceived years ago as a one-time tour that will showcase the pinnacle of Original Pinoy Music and Manila Sound. It featured lead singers Rene Garcia of Hotdog, Sonny Parsons of Hagibis, Male Rigor of VST & Company and Maso Diez of Hotdog.

After the initial tour, Joey Abando, lead singer and composer of the Boyfriends, arrived from his prolonged stay in Korea and joined the group. Four years later and countless concerts around the Philippines, the group is still going strong and the demand for performances has never been better.

The current line-up includes Sonny, Joey and Male at the front ably backed in the vocals department by recording artist Lara, veteran band leader Rex Pili and Meg de Leon. The band is led by music arranger and keyboardist wiz Carlo Gaa.

Because Manila Sound Project is the only band nowadays that performs OPM exclusively, the group was a natural for Resorts World Manila’s MUSIKAT festival that spotlighted the talents of Pinoy artists. Fresh from a sold-out concert at the 4,000-seater Lim Ket Kai Atrium in Cagayan de Oro, the group never sounded better at the first of two concerts at the Newport Plaza, Resorts World.

A crowd composed of kids, students, executives and senior citizens started gathering at 5 p.m. for seats for the 8 p.m. show.

Manila Sound Project opened with Hagibis’ Nanggigil Kami, the Boyfriends’ Sumayaw Sumunod and VST & Company’s Tayo’y Magsayawan in rapid succession which got the crowd in a dancing mood.

Lara followed next and mellowed down the audience with Cinderella’s Bato Sa Buhangin. More love songs followed. Joey got the crowd singing along with Dahil Mahal Kita and Male merited hearty applause with Ipagpatawad Mo.

Sonny received the most shrieks from the female fans when he did his macho version of Muli. Lara then picked up the pace, went down to the crowd and rocked with a couple of Sampaguita hits — Nosi Balasi and Bonggahan.

In between songs, Sonny, Joey and Male cracked jokes to the delight of the audience. Joey again took center stage performing a couple of Boyfriend’s classics such as Nais Kong Malaman Mo and Salawahan.

The concert finale ran for a good 25 minutes with Sonny, Male and Joey singing their hearts out while MSP dancers gyrated with gusto to Hagibis’ Legs then engaging the crowd to a front row line dance with the kids to VST’s Rock Baby Rock. The crowd whether seated or standing danced.

Manila Sound Project turned the heat a notch higher with Hagibis’ Katawan and VST’s Awitin Mo Isasayaw Ko. As the sweat dripped and energy peaked, Rex Pili, one of the singers, performed the finale — Hajji’s Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika — with the dancers and singers waving Philippine flags declaring that OPM rules. It doesn’t get more realistic than this.