Imagine a tired Aia de Leon walking on the dusty outskirts of Mt. Pinatubo. Her shoulders slump gracelessly when she hitches a ride. Then she falls fast asleep. Outside the car, the road bears its tire tracks. Soldiers march to meet insurgents. The sun warns one away from its harsh warmth, but the Imago vocalist soon alights from the vehicle. She trudges on while her song "Sundo" plays in the background, telling the viewers about going the distances one endures with patience.

When Aia arrived at the launch of the MYX Music Awards bar tour held last March 6 at Mag:net Café, Bonifacio High Street, she did not come from a long hike in Pampanga. Instead, the band turns up from "kanya-kanyang lakad." The first paragraph merely describes the music video of "Sundo," which comes to mind when Imago presents the song.

After her lively performance, Aia told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that the band Imago was invited to take part in Singapore's Mosaic Music Festival. This 10-day envent showcases the best in jazz, world music, soul, and hip-hop. The chosen international, home-grown and regional artists will perform with up-and-coming musicians at the Esplanade from March 7-16.

Aside from Imago, other bands that performed at the launch included Silent Sanctuary, Sponge Cola, and Pupil, whose guitarist Yani Yuson celebrated his birthday that night. Ely Buendia, the former vocalist of the Eraserheads, granted an exclusive interview with PEP wherein he reiterated that he is still not open to an Eraserheads reunion even after they disbanded six years ago.

The MYX Music Awards bar tour, which started at 10 p.m. and ended at around 1 a.m., was hosted by MYX VJs Drei and Igi.

Directed by Marie Jamora, the music video of "Sundo" shows the constancy of movement with relics such as seashells, mud stains on cars, a spare tire. It pays tribute to the journeys people take everyday to make ends meet. Thus it strikes a chord among the viewers on MYX and they reward that with a nomination for favorite music video in the MYX Music Awards.

Aia acknowledges the music video's role in interacting with audiences: "It's a visual cue for the audience to be able to relate to your music more. It relies on your sense of sight. It helps to bring the music to a different level." She narrated that they shot the video on the Mount Pinatubo trail at Capas, Tarlac.

There are other videos that made the same connection with the viewers and accepted a nomination in the favorite music video category of MYX. These include Bamboo's "Probinsyana," Callalily's "Magbalik," Chicosci's "Vampire Social Club," and Sponge Cola's "Tuliro."

Probinsyana directed by Pancho Esguerra is an ironic rendering of the countryside lass. The song for a Pepsi ad has loud and catchy video-spiced up with a sexy dance and an always bouncing Bamboo Mañalac.

Tuliro by Trey Contreras shows off an animated periscope, giving the Sponge Cola members peeks at a rather intimidating lady. The video achieves a confused quality, brimming with spirit and energy associated with inebriated people.

On the other hand, Magbalik by Wincy Ong is a patchwork of images, telling of the troubles people brave in relationships. Each picture relates an affecting story such as two kids separating, lovers falling apart, and a man abandoning his girl for priesthood.

The eye candy in a Chicosci video is usually frontman Miggy Chavez and in Vampire Social Club, director Wincy Ong shows people united by their love for music and who else—but Miggy.

To vote for your favorite artists, tune in to MYX or type and send to 2366 on your mobile phones. You may also cast your votes in the voting boxes located in any JB Music, Odyssey and Penshoppe stores nationwide.

Here is the complete list of nominees in the 2008 MYX Music Awards:

Favorite Music Video: Probinsyana by Bamboo; Magbalik by Callalily; Vampire Social Club by Chicosci; Sundo by Imago; and Tuliro by Sponge Cola

Song of the Year: "Magsasaya" by 6Cyclemind; "Vampire Social Club" by Chicosci; "Ikaw" by Sarah Geronimo; "Ikaw Lamang" by Silent Sanctuary; "Wag Kang Umiyak" by Sugarfree

Artist of the Year: 6Cyclemind; Callalily; Chicosci; Sarah Geronimo; and Sponge Cola

Favorite Male Artist: Christian Bautista; Erik Santos; Gloc 9; Janno Gibbs; and Piolo Pascual