The artists behind the Manila sound

February 27, 2021

• Have you heard of the Manila sound? Yes, it exists! Thanks to our local artists for keeping it alive!

  The Manila sound is an specific musical genre in our country that may have began in the middle of the 1970s. Historically, it is considered to be the bright side of the martial law days of the Philippines where it was flourished by being the forerunner to Original Pinoy Music or so called the OPM.

  Catchy melodic phrases, disco mania, marshmallow sound, laid-back and unpretentious; these were the terms how Manila sound was described.

  But, come to think of it, who were the artists behind this unique and eccentric Manila sound?

   

  HOTDOG

  

  Photo Credit: ABS-CBN News

  Hotdog is originally composed of Garcia brothers: Dennis, Jess, and Rene and Ella del Rosario.

  Hotdog was known for their multi-generational hits like “Pers Lab,” “You Make Me Blush,” “Manila,” “Annie Batungbakal,” “Bongga Ka, ‘Day,” “Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko,” “Ako’y Bitin Sa Iyo,” “Langit na Naman,” “Pers Lab 2,” and “Behhh, Buti Nga,” among many others.

   

  VST and Company

  

  Photo Credit: iHeartRadio

  VST and Company was initially composed of the Sotto Brothers but later on they included some bossa nova influences.

  The group was known for their hits such as “Disco Fever,” “Awitin Mo Isasayaw Ko,” “Kiss Kiss,” “Step No Step Yes,” “Swing,” “Tayo’y Magsayawan,” and “Rock Baby Rock.” They were known as well for songs with romantic ballads like “Ikaw ang Aking Mahal,” and “Ipagpatawad Mo.”

   

  The Boyfriends

  

  Photo Credit: Discogs

  The Boyfriends is composed of Gary Ariola, Bob Guzman, Artie Ilacad, Lloyd Sale, and their past member Joey Abando.

  The all-boys group was known for their songs namely “Sumayaw, Sumunod,” “Araw-araw, Oras-oras,” “Dance with Me,” love ballad like “Nais Kong Malaman Mo,” “First Love,” and “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal.”

   

  Cinderella

  

  Photo Credit: Discogs

  Cinderella is a pop band known for its love songs. Cecile colayco and Yolly Samson were the lead vocalists.

  The group was made popular by their songs such as “T.L. Ako Sa’yo,” “Bato Sa Buhangin,” “Sa Aking Pag-iisa,” “Ang Boyfriend kong Baduy,,” “May Crush Ako Sa ‘Yo,” “Pag-ibig Ko’y Ibang Iba,” “Superstar ng Buhay Ko,” and “Tulak Ng Bibig, Kabig Ng Dibdib.”

   

  APO Hiking Society

  

  Photo Credit: Panay News

  Originally known as the Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society. It started as a large group but then reduced into a trio of Jim Paredes, Danny Javier and Buboy Garovillo.

  They are popularly known for the hits namely “Softly,” “Love Is for Singing,” “Mahirap Magmahal ng Syota ng Iba,” “Show Me a Smile,” “Bakit ang Babae Sa Tagal ng Pagsasama (Tila Mas Mahirap Maintindihan),” “Hanggang May Pag-ibig,” “Batang-Bata Ka Pa,” “Nakapagtataka,” “Pag-ibig,” “Kabilugan ng Buwan,” and “Pumapatak ang Ulan.”

   

  Hagibis

  

  Photo Credit: Morning Picker

  Hagibis is composed of Sonny Parsons, Bernie Fineza, Mike Respall, Joji Garcia, and Mon Picazo.

  The male group was known for their hits like “Katawan,” “Lalake,” “Legs,” “Nanggigigil Ako,” “Babae,” and “Ilagay Mo Kid.”

   

  Rey Valera

  

  Photo Credit: Alchetron

  First appeared with the group called ‘Electric Hair band.” He became popular as pop artist and singer-songwriter for his romantic ballads.

  His popular songs are “Di Mo Pansin,” “Kamusta Ka,” “Kung Kailangan Mo Ako,” “Maging Sino Ka Man,” “Malayo Pa ang Umaga,” “Naalaala Ka,” “Pangako Sa Iyo,” “Kung Tayo’y Magkalayo,” and “Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko.”

   

  Sharon Cuneta

  

  Photo Credit: Pinterest

  The Megastar is one of the main contributors of the Manila sound since then. She started her musical career when she was 12 years old.

  She collaborated with Rey valera for the song “Mr. DJ.” She covered a a VST-released song “I-swing Mo Ako.” She also performed another Valera-composed song “Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko,” and “High School Life.”

   

  Rico J. Puno

  

  Photo Credit: Sports Manila

  The late Rico J. Puno is considered as a soul balladeer. After the Manila sound, he remained popular with the OPM where he recasted American Pop songs into Tagalog lyrics.

  He was widely known for the songs such as “Lupa,” “Damdamin,” “May Bukas Pa,” “Kapalaran,” “Macho Gwapito,” “Sorry Na Puede Ba,” and “Diyos ang Pag-ibig.”

   

  The artists above were just few of those people behind the gold and rich Manila sound.

  In the year 2006, the Manila sound were rediscovered. Its resurgence was a step to boost the Philippine Music Industry.

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