Jona, Darren Espanto, Michael Pangilinan and Ylona Garcia are among the big winners of this year’s “MOR Pinoy Music Awards” held last August 5 at the Kia Theater in Quezon City, Philippines.
On its fourth year, the “MOR Pinoy Music Awards” honors the best OPM artists who truly made a mark in 2016. The results were based on the combined votes of MOR listeners, MOR Awards Committee, Original Pilipino Music (OPM) Board members, and selected OPM artists.
Star Music artist and one of “ASAP’s” Birit Queen, Jona, won her first MOR Pinoy Music Award for Song of the Year with “Maghihintay Ako”, while Espanto once again bagged the Album of the Year for his album “Be With Me”.
Recording artist and Harana member Pangilinan, and “Pinoy Big Brother” alumna-turned-teen singing sensation Garcia were named Male and Female Artists of the Year, respectively. While Inigo Pascual was hailed Best New Artist for his smash hit “Dahil Sa’Yo.”
Several hit singles were also recognized that night: “Baliw” by Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber won Best Collaboration of the Year; “O Pag-ibig” by Garcia and Bailey May won LSS Hit of the Year; “Give Me A Chance” by Kaye Cal won OPM Revival of the Year; and “Wag Ka Nang Umiyak” from the hit series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” won Teleserye Hit of the Year.
Meantime, a fitting tribute was given to OPM icon and the country’s Concert King Martin Nievera, who won this year’s OPM Lifetime Achievement award. Singing his hit songs in a special production number were Daryl Ong, Jona, and Jed Madela.
From local mainstream music, MOR 101.9 also recognized regional songs and kantamercials (commercial jingles) airing on radios. “My Morena Girl” by the Hey Joe Show won the Regional Song of the Year, while Ritemed, bagged the Kantamercial of the Year award.
The event was hosted by MOR 101.9 For Life DJ’s with guests performances from Ogie Alcasid, Jake Zyrus, BoybandPH, Christian Bautista, Michael Pangilinan, Kaye Cal, Alexa Ilacad, Gimme 5, Yohan Hwang, Harana, Zeus Collins, Franco Hernandez, Kamille Filoteo, Claire Ruiz, Mico and Gab, and digital artists Zion Aquino, LA Santos, Val John, The Breaker, Ana Ramsey, and Voltz Vallejo.
MOR 101.9 For Life can be heard on various TFC platforms in key countries worldwide.