Viva’s Boss Vic receives Lifetime Achievement Award

November 16 ------ On Nov. 16, the Philippine Association of Record Industry (PARI) will confer on Vic del Rosario Jr., or VRJ, the Lifetime Achievement award. It is in recognition of VRJ’s massive contribution to Filipino music. And in this situation, the word “lifetime” is most appropriate. After all, he has been in the music business, and continually at that, for 60 years.

It was in 1966 when the 20-year-old VRJ accepted his cousin Orly Ilacad’s invitation they put up a record company. That was when Vicor Music was born, and from that day on, VRJ devoted his life to music. A school dropout, he learned everything he could the hard way. But he must have been born with a lucky star, and thank heavens for his innate flair for business; he was able to put all that he learned to good use.

Frustrated that local composers were not getting royalties for their works, he formed Bayanihan Music, the first Filipino publishing company. Charged with paying payola to DJs, he called attention to the dire straits of the music industry and walked away with the mandatory radio airplay of Filipino records.

He championed the Manila Sound and had Pinoy Rock, Pinoy Jazz, Pinoy R&B and other innovations that led to the golden age of Philippine pop music. Instead of moping over Ilacad’s departure from Vicor, he brought Freddie Aguilar’s Anak abroad and made it the first Filipino song to hit big globally. When bad decisions forced him to give up Vicor, he went off and formed Viva Films and later Viva Music.

There have been a few missteps here and there, but these are easily offset by the vast number of achievements. Besides, who can argue about the great singers and songwriters and their works that he nurtured through the years? There are so many to count in the past six decades. From Victor Wood with his Eternally to Multo by Cup of Joe. VRJ has yet to sing or write a song, but the sounds on the record labels he created make up the soundtrack of our lives.

Masdan Mo ang Kapaligiran by Asin; Tibok by Earl Agustin; Superstar ng Buhay Ko by Nora Aunor; Tayo’y Mga Pinoy by Heber Bartolome and Banyuhay; I Need You by Mark Bautista; Narito Ako by Maricris Bermont; Paniwalaan Mo by Bluejeans; Balat-kayo by Anthony Castelo; Aso’t Pusa by Pat Castillo; Can We Just Stop and Talk a While by Jose Mari Chan; Bato sa Buhangin by Cinderella; Oras Na by Coritha; Kapantay ay Langit by Pilita Corrales.

Only Me and You by Donna Cruz; Boy by Timmy Cruz; Maria Leonora Teresa by Tirso Cruz III; Sana’y Wala ng Wakas by Sharon Cuneta; Kung Sakali by Pabs Dadivas; Ikaw Sana by Rob Deniel; Paano by Dulce; Humanap Ka ng Panget by Andrew E.; Don’t Say Goodbye by Pops Fernandez; Before I Let You Go by Freestyle; Bang Shang-a-Lang by Helen Gamboa; Forever’s Not Enough by Sarah Geronimo; Katawan by Hagibis; Nag-iisang Ikaw by Louie Heredia; Manila by Hotdog.

Wala Na Bang Pag-ibig by Jaya; Himig Natin by Juan de la Cruz Band; Farewell by Raymond Lauchengco; Special Memory by Iwi Laurel; Dito Ba by Kuh Ledesma; Ako’y Bakyang Bakya by Celeste Legaspi; Kumusta Mga Kaibigan by Maria Capra; Ikaw Pa Rin by Tito Mina; Rain by Boy Mondragon; Even If by Jam Morales; Saan Ako Nagkamali by Tillie Moreno; My Pledge of Love by Edgar Mortiz; Kailangan Kita by Leah Navarro; Isa Lang by Arthur Nery; Be My Lady by Martin Nievera; Hiram by Zsa Zsa Padilla.

A Samba Song by Batucada; Alaala ay Ikaw by Eddie Peregrina; How Did You Know by Chiqui Pineda; Kapalaran by Rico J. Puno; Hopeless Romantic by Odette Quesada; Binibini by Rainmakers; Bakit Ako Mahihiya by Didith Reyes; Mahal Pa Rin Kita by Rockstar; O Lumapit Ka by Ella del Rosario; Till My Heartaches End by Ella May Saison; Hindi Magbabago by Randy Santiago; Sweet Sixteen by Vilma Santos; Kahit Konting Pagtingin by Ric Segreto; Pagdating ng Panahon by Aiza Seguerra.

Hold On by Side A; Tensiyonado by Soapdish; Sa Bawat Sandali by Amiel Sol; Ipagpatawad Mo by Marvic Sotto; Intawon Nahidlawon Ako by Max Surban; Di Na Muli by Janine Tenoso; Tough Hits by Tito Vic & Joey; Ngayon at Kailanman by Basil Valdez; Growing Up by Gary Valenciano; Maging Sino Ka Man by Rey Valera; You are my Song by Regine Velasquez; Magellan by Yoyoy Villame; Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko by VST&Co… and so many others, and still counting many more memorable songs to come.

Source: philstar.com