Fallen angels, lingerie
at the MTV Asia Awards
Posted: 0:04 AM (Manila Time) | Feb. 18, 2004
Inquirer News Service
Cabaret start
SINGAPORE -- "Pussycat dolls" in bold neon lights - that was the first thing that popped onto viewers' eyes the minute the MTV Asia Awards 2004 started.
When the show was off to a "Cabaret" start with blondes and brunettes doing a striptease, I couldn't believe I was in the Lion City. "I think I need to change my shorts," host Vanness Wu of F4 fame (again, I am not the official F4 chronicler) confessed on air. And what a precedent it was -- with host Michelle Branch wearing a barely -- there pink dress that went down to her navel, revealing half of her breasts, but not racy enough to pull off a Janet.
"Janet Jackson is in the audience!" the Indian VJ shouted. The crowd cheered. "Oh, sorry-it's just a guy with a nipple ring!"
Later, quirky video clips of fallen angels trying their luck on earth (alongside the Valentine's theme-the trophies were Cupid statuettes with golden sashes that doubled as CD players, made by sponsor Philips perhaps) would amuse audiences in between commercials.
The first presenter was the Taiwanese boy band 5566. In their best Chinese-accented English, they said, "And the winner is..."-then they all screamed -- "G String!" -- and exposed a lingerie, where the name of the winner was stated. Another presenter, Irish crooner Derek McDonald, even wore the lingerie atop his jeans, to the delight of the 7,000-strong audience that had gathered from all over Asia at the Singapore Indoor Stadium to witness this event in its three-year existence.
The regional awards were given out first. One by one, Asia's top acts were given their due recognition (as Favorite Artist). Pop diva Mariah Carey got hearts all fired up when she made a surprise appearance to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award while Linkin Park clinched two awards for favorite rock act and favorite video, while Blue won favorite pop act for the second year running.
"Parokya Ni Edgar" won the Favorite Artist (Philippines) award, beating two-year winner Regine Velasquez. "Regine is nice. I hope Regine would not get mad at us," said Dindin of Parokya. Other countries like Hong Kong (Sammi Cheng), Malaysia (GMA look-alike Siti Nurhaliza) and Singapore (Stephanie Sun) had their winners for the third straight year-which goes to show how Asians are really such creatures of habit.
The new winners, though, present a new breed of what is to come for Asia, and hopefully, the world. BoA, winner of Most Influential Artist and Favorite Artist (Korea), may soon be a hot act all over Asia, with Japan signing her up. Even non-nominee Tata Young of Thailand just got signed up with Columbia (the one who developed Beyonce, Celine Dion, among others) for a global development deal.
Fallen angels, lingerie
at the MTV Asia Awards
Posted: 0:04 AM (Manila Time) | Feb. 18, 2004
Inquirer News Service
Opening the floodgates
Winners and losers aside, I think what the MTV Asia Awards have done is open the floodgates for Asian talent. Artist collaborations, like Siti Nurhaliza of Malaysia singing onstage with Gareth Gates of the UK, and Stacie Orrico jamming with Malaysian rap group Too Phat and Singapore's Urban Exchange, were a definite treat. "Seeing more artists work together is something very inspiring," said new pop artist Javier.
"We should show the world what Asians can do. We want to bring Asian music to the world music scene-we are the new Asian youth. If Japan buys Chinese music, then hopefully in the future Westerners will buy Chinese music, too," said Too Phat and Urban Exchange. They don't have to worry about the Philippine market though, as we have embraced Chinese music all too well.
Years ago, I just ignored the other artists and focused my eyes on the Filipino artists and the global acts. F4 is one of those breakthrough acts that have shattered the Canto-pop stereotype and broken the language barrier. I'm sure there is more to come. Especially now as Asia and the world get smaller, I won't be surprised in the future to see Korean music being played on our local airwaves, or Filipino acts performing in a sold-out concert in Singapore, with more than just Filipinos filling the audience.
Even the acts from the West are learning more about Asia. When boyband Blue first went to the Asia Awards, they weren't aware of countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. "I've never been good with geography, so it's been a continuing education for me," said Lee of Blue.
Highlight
A sure highlight for me was when APL (short for Alan Pineda Lindo, from Pampanga) of Black Eyed Peas went onstage and announced proudly, "I'm Filipino, so for my brothers in the Philippines, kamusta kayo diyan?" Buwi of Parokya ni Edgar demonstrated Pinoy pride by wearing our flag, embroidered on his black tank top. Attaboy!
Rivermaya's Ric Blanco put it best when he said, "I'm so proud of people like APL of Black Eyed Peas and Mutya of Sugababes who haven't forgotten their roots despite their success. Bottom line: It's really about a true love for music and the desire to make people smile."
I got a kick out of listening to Chinese rap, with Vanness "You'll-see-more-hip-hop-in-my-music" Wu's "homeboys" Machi (which means "brotherhood")-Oriental Marky Marks raising the roof on the Asian punters. "I guess we're the only ones who do hip-hop -- real hip-hop." And they've collaborated with Missy Elliot, too.
I got goosebumps watching Indian pop princess Isha Kopikar add color to the stage with a bevy of Indian dancers, and Thai idol "Bird" Thongchai McIntyre belt it out with other Thai singers.
Backstage at the press room, an "American Idol" scenario prevailed, with the artists trying to impress the media with their antics. Some of them sang, danced, did acrobatics and kicked each other in the balls just to make an impression. "There's only two kinds of music-the good and the bad. We're... okay," said Simple Plan, who was jokingly sourgraping backstage on their non-victory.
Stacie Orrico, upon leaving the photo room, complained about her heels and proceeded to take them off, changing to slippers as she walked toward her dressing room. Singapore security was so strict that I saw Frank Brown, MTV president, having a hard time entering the press room on his way to the sponsor's cocktails. Stephanie Sun confessed that her boyfriend wanted to watch the show, but didn't have a ticket to enter. Poor guy.
Christina Aguilera, who looks like a young Liza Minelli, appeared on video to accept her favorite artist award. People backstage cheered when her name was announced, winning over Britney. They changed their mood and booed when Mariah was called for her award. Aah, these divas.
Michelle Yeoh presented an award to the late HK superstar Anita Mui. Yeoh received an award for herself, the Asian Film Award, for her contribution to the Asian film industry.
The show ended on a high note, with the multi-ethnic rap crew Black Eyed Peas (who went to Singapore fresh from the Grammy's), dazzling spectators with "Where is the Love?" (They're coming to Manila on May 22.) How apt for a Valentine's night. When I asked them the same question backstage, they answered, "We got lotsa lovin' from the crowd."
Talkin' about lovin', the after-party was full of it. At the penthouse bar Equinox, flirtation was all around as more than artist collaborations were formed. But that, my dears, is another story.
SOURCE:
http://www.inq7.net/...8/lif_26-1.htm#
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MultiQuote
Posted 14 January 2004 - 07:38 AM
Posted 15 February 2004 - 10:45 AM
Posted 18 February 2004 - 04:13 PM
....
wearing a worn out shirt...
