OPM icons, BINI, SB19, Cup of Joe honored at Awit Awards

MANILA, October 15 ------ Several OPM icons, including Gary Valenciano and Ogie Alcasid, were honored by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) at the awarding ceremonies for the Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino.

Valenciano was presented with the Concert Artist award by Universal Records managing director Kathleen Go, while Alcasid received the Recording Artist award from -CBN Music Head of Content, Creatives and Operations Jonathan Manalo. For Valenciano and Alcasid, the recognitions at this stage of their career are specially meaningful.

"Alam mo habang tumatanda ka, you’re just grateful for anything that comes your way. Something like this given by your peers, I was very emotional tonight," said Alcasid. "To be in the presence of people who have been recognized for all their hardwork, including young ones, BINI, Cup of Joe and SB19, napakalaking karangalan para sa amin na we are a part of OPM today," Valenciano said.

Meanwhile, music icon Jose Mari Chan received the Composer Award from Ramon Chuaying, Executive Vice President of Universal Records. Angee Rozul received the Recording Engineer award, while Vicor Records’ Tony M Ocampo was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte was given the Sandigan ng Awit Award. In her speech, Belmonte revealed that the local government of Quezon City is planning to put up an OPM museum. The Nation's Girl Group, BINI, were presented the Global Impact award. "When we started our journey sobrang bata po namin 14, 15 years old. And yun din yung start na, hindi tayo sigurado kung saan tayo pupunta. Nung time na yun, sobrang babaw pa lang ng understanding namin sa music," said BINI Jhoanna.

"Before gusto lang namin mag-perform, makapag-release ng music, makilala hopefully ng mga tao, but along the way we realized that music can do so much more than to entertain. It can bring people together, it can give people hope and make them feel that they belong," she added.

For Jhoanna, these messages of appreciation and anecdotes from fans keep them inspired. Alongside BINI, Cup of Joe and SB19 were also presented with their Global Impact awards from PARI.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com