Triple-tie winners enjoy radio airplay

FIFTH Dynamics (from left): Daryl Jay Santos (bass guitar), Mark Cordovales (vocals), John Peterson Leyva (rhythm guitar), Eljon Nono (lead guitar) and Aldrin Condat (drums)

For the three winning acts of the Dreams Get Real talent search, joining the competition wasn’t so much about the trophy or the cash prize at stake as having the opportunity to express themselves and have their music heard by a wider audience.

Pop-rock band Fifth Dynamics—composed of Mark Cordovales (vocals), John Peterson Leyva (rhythm guitar), Eljon Nono (lead guitar), Daryl Jay Santos (bass) and Aldrin Condat (drums)—has been playing gigs in bars in Antipolo City and events like birthdays and weddings. Now, the group’s original song “Anyare,” is being played on radio.

“I hope this win brings us more gigs and mall shows,” Mark said after the recent finals night held at Teatrino in Greenhills, San Juan.

Fifth Dynamics received a P30,000 cash prize, a management contract, a recording contract with MCA Music, and a grant for the production and release of a music video.

“We’ll keep writing songs so that we’ll have enough material for an album, and I hope listeners will like them,” said Mark, who described the band’s music as “senti with a little bit of naughtiness.” He elaborated, “We’re more into love songs and slow rock, which the masses will like.”

Going solo

Neo is no stranger to singing contests, having joined and finished eighth in “X Factor: Philippines” as part of the pop boy band Takeoff, which was mentored by Gary Valenciano. After the group’s elimination, Neo went his own way.

“When you’re in a group you have to adjust to create a cohesive sound. The downside to that is, you don’t get to showcase your true music. As a solo singer, you get to freely pursue the style that you like,” said Neo, who has dabbled in acting and appeared in the shows “Lokomoko U” on TV5 and “Maynila” on GMA 7.

Neo’s single, “Pagbigyan Mo Na”—penned by composer Urie Tesorio—also won for him the DJs’ Choice special award. “I didn’t expect or think about winning,” he said. “I just wanted people to hear the song. The trophies are mere bonuses.”

Completing the Top 3 is singing trio JBK—Bryan del Rosario, Joshua Bulot and Kim Ordonio, which interpreted the song “Anong Meron Ka,” also written by Tesorio. Del Rosario related that one of the group’s goals is to come up with hits that will stand the test of time, like those popularized by the Apo Hiking Society.

“Until now, their songs are being sung and revived by many artists,” Del Rosario pointed out. “We love the way they used to perform onstage, may pagkapilyo, but still gentlemanly.”

It was a huge honor for the group that its single won the Critic’s Choice special award, which was determined by Apo’s Jim Paredes. “We want to follow in their footsteps,” Del Rosario said, adding that boy groups these days aren’t just about thrilling young girls. “Our music leans toward pop, but I think we’re versatile. We can also do jazz, old and new songs.”

Radio airplay

Fifth Dynamics, Neo and JBK beat three other finalists—alternative rock groups Archetype and Dream of Pearl, as well as pop-rock vocalist CK Arca— after their singles performed best in terms of radio airplay. In the lead up to the finals, the Top 6’s  respective singles —recorded with award-winning musical arranger Jonathan Ong—were seeded to radio stations around the country.

Organized by McJim Classic Leather, the competition ended in a three-way tie, which surprised the finalists. Asked how the results came about, Dreams Get Real project head Chris Cahilig explained, “The winner was to be determined through radio airplay. However, there was no clear leader among the top three acts.”

Cahilig said the three winners’ songs all performed strongly in different regions. “Neo did very well in Manila; JBK in Visayas; and Fifth Dynamics in Mindanao and Northern Luzon. They all have commercial potential, and they cater to different markets.”

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