Yeng’s big night: 5 wins at Myx Music Awards

By: Allan Policarpio - 14 years ago

MANILA, Philippines—Members of the fan club “Yengsters” came in full force, jumping and screaming as their idol Yeng Constantino bagged five trophies at the 2011 Myx Music Awards held at the Music Museum recently.

The 22-year-old singer-songwriter won as favorite female artist, as well as in the music video, song, collaboration and Myx celebrity VJ categories.

She looked genuinely shocked as she climbed onstage, mouth agape, and repeatedly slapped her forehead in disbelief after her 2010 chart-topper “Jeepney Love Story” was named favorite song.

She told the Inquirer that, as cliché as it sounds, she didn’t expect to win anything. “Basta sabi ko before this, dapat bago ang gupit ko saka maganda ’yung susuotin ko para kahit matalo, hindi mukhang kawawa (I just told myself, before this, I should have a hair cut and I’d wear something beautiful so if I lose, I won’t look pitiful),” she said, laughing.

“Jeepney Love Story,” she pointed out, is so special to her that she lobbied hard for it to be released as a single. “Dapat wala nang third single from [“Lapit”], my third album, pero pinaglaban ko talaga ’yung song. Nakita nila [record label] ’yung fire sa mata ko, kaya sinuportahan nila ako,” she said.

Other notable winners were Gloc-9 (favorite male artist), Slapshock (favorite Myx live performance) Callalily frontman Kean Cipriano (favorite media soundtrack and collaboration), and Sandwich (favorite artist and rock video).

Winners were determined by 40 percent text votes, 40 percent artist/ballot votes, and 20 percent online votes.

The night kicked off with a set of covers of this year’s favorite song nominees. Teen heartthrobs Elmo Magalona and Sam Concepcion sang an R&B-inspired version of Tanya Markova’s “Disneyland.” An attempt was made to put a classical flavor to “Jeepney Love Story” by putting the Opera Belles alongside Cipriano and Markki Stroem, but the blaring instruments drowned the trio’s voices.

Meanwhile, Sitti and Princess’ version of Parokya ni Edgar’s “Pakiusap Lang,” and Nikki Gil’s take on 6cyclemind’s “Kung Wala Na Nga” were both good, but quite forgettable.

The real highlight came when The CompanY surprised the crowd by tackling Slapshock’s “Cariño Brutal.” The vocal group’s playful harmonies gave the death rock-metal song a thoroughly refreshing sound.

For the longest time, the local music scene has been dominated by power vocalists and rock bands. But the Myx Music Awards showed that artists could also excel in other genres. Singing his own tune “Hey, Daydreamer,” the one-man electro-pop act Somedaydream showed he could very well be our own Owl City.

Hip hop/R&B artist Quest, who won favorite urban video for “Back to Love,” revised the lyrics to his song to remember the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Influenced by Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani among others, Shadow A brought girl power to the fore with her dance tune “Filipina.”

To commemorate FrancisM’s second death anniversary, Kamikazee performed a burning-hot rendition of the late Master Rapper’s “Meron Akong Ano!”—with Parokya ni Edgar’s Chito Miranda, Greyhoundz’s Reg Rubio, and WilaBaliW’s Ian Tayao jamming on vocals.

The performance was easily the best of the night—Miranda baring his rapping skills, and Rubio and Tayao unleashing their signature death growls. Kamikazee’s ever cheeky frontman Jay Contreras roused the crowd with his air-humping antics. Later on, Vinci Montañer, and Gloc-9 also hopped onto the stage to join the ruckus.

Also that night, Regine Velasquez was handed the Myx Magna Award for her 25 years of invaluable contributions to the local music industry.

She turned emotional when husband Ogie Alcasid serenaded her with “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw.” Alcasid then proclaimed: “You are a star. I’m proud to be your husband.”

Velasquez called on the musicians at the event to continue making original music which every Filipino can be proud of.

The 2011 Myx Awards winners:

Favorite music video: “Jeepney Love Story” by Yeng Constantino

Favorite song: “Jeepney Love Story” by Yeng Constantino

Favorite artist: Sandwich

Favorite female artist: Yeng Constantino

Favorite male artist: Gloc-9

Favorite group: Parokya ni Edgar

Favorite mellow video: “I Remember the Girl” by Christian Bautista

Favorite rock video: “Lakad” by Sandwich

Favorite urban video: “Back to Love” by Quest

Favorite new artist: Tanya Markova

Favorite indie artist: Mr. Bones and the Boneyard Circus

Favorite collaboration: “Kung Wala Na Nga” by 6cyclemind featuring Kean Cipriano and Yeng Constantino

Favorite remake: “Beautiful Girl” by Christian Bautista

Favorite media soundtrack: “Kaya Mo” by Protein Shake feat. Ney Dimaculangan and Kean Cipriano (RPG Metanoia)

Favorite guest appearance in a music video: Angel Locsin in “Magkaibang Mundo” by Hale