Fil-Am hip hop artist Allan Pineda (center) is more popularly known as Apl.D.Ap in the international music scene. He arrived in the country with Paper Boy (left) and DJ Mia (right). In an interview with PEP, he revealed that his solo album will be released first in the Philippines before it is distributed abroad.

Another international artist who came to the MYX Music Awards was Arnel Pineda. He is the Filipino vocalist who was "discovered" by the American band Journey via his YouTube video.

The hosts of the night were MYX VJs (from left) Igi, Nikki Gil, Luis Manzano, Iya Villania, Micah, Drei, and Sanya. They explained that the winners were chosen based on MYX viewers' votes (60 percent) and the artists' votes (40 percent).

Luis Manzano and Toni Gonzaga ride a huge paper boat that moves along tracks arranged on stage. Toni holds her trophy for the category Favorite Ringtone, for her song "Catch Me I'm Falling."

The Kitty Girls perform their signature song K.I.T.T.Y., much to the delight of the male audience  that night.

The Kitty Girls shake their booty and flaunt their shapely bodies for an intermission number. Later that night, the sexy dancers presented the Favorite Urban Video Award along with Jay-R.

Ely Buendia received the Favorite MYX Live Performance Award in behalf of his band Pupil. The presentors of the award were Katya Santos and Jett Pangan (background, right).

During the program, Bb. Pilipinas-World 2008 Janina San Miguel (in photo) was asked by Luis Manzano to pretend that she was back at the beauty pageant. He asked her the question "What role did your family play to you as candidate?" To this she answered simply, "My family is important because they are my inspiration."

 

Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2 ex-housemates Will Devaughn and Riza Santos tell PEP about their upcoming projects. Will is part of the ABS-CBN TV series Utoy starring Makisig Morales and Dolphy. He is also cast in the Habang May Buhay, the drama series of Judy Ann Santos and Derek Ramsey. As for Riza, she is one of the girls of the comedy-gag show Banana Split. This Viva Artist talent is part of the movies Ikaw Pa Rin and When Love Begins.

Another PBB Celebrity Edition 2 ex-housemate Jon Avila is being groomed for leading man status. He will be starring in the upcoming fantaserye Kapitan Boom where he is paired with Maja Salvador and Marianna del Rio.

Nancy Castiglione is reinventing herself as a singer named Nancy Jane. She has just released her 12-track dance album titled Nancy Jane under Warner Music. During the awards night, she performed the album's carrier single, "Love Song."

Soon-to-be-wed couple Cheska Garcia and Doug Kramer narrated how stressful it is to prepare for a wedding. They presented the Favorite Mellow Video Award that was won by Rachelle Ann Go for her song, "Alam Nang Ating Mga Puso."

Erik Santos expressed his gratitude to MYX viewers for allowing him to win the Favorite Male Artist Award three times in a row. Behind him is the singer Nancy Jane, formerly known as Nancy Castiglione.

Sam Concepcion thanked his fans, who call themselves Samsters, for supporting him and for letting him win the Favorite New Artist Award. Only 15 years old, Sam is the youngest recipient of this award from MYX.

The band Spongecola was the big winner in the second edition of the MYX Music Awards held last year. Director Wincy Ong joined the band in receiving the Favorite Music Video Award for the music video Tuliro.

Raimund Marasigan of Sandwich used props to make his number even more interesting: he used a skateboard to zoom all over the stage. He was later joined by Marcus Adoro of the band Marcus Highway.

MYX VJs Nikki Gil and Luis Manzano presented Apl.D.Ap (center) with a Special Citation Award for his immense contribution to the music industry and to the Philippines. According to Apl, he would like to collaborate with Filipino artists such as Bamboo, Parokya ni Edgar, Gloc-9, Slapshock, Gary V., and many more.

Allan Pineda is a Pampanga-born Fil-American hip hop artist who infused Tagalog lyrics into the songs of the Black Eyed Peas. He told PEP, "I'm currently doing my solo album right now and one of my songs is called 'Island.' I wrote it while I was here and it's about the country, the beauty of the country, the hardship of the country. And I'd like to represent that around the world." Above, Apl performed "Island" during the MYX Music Awards.

Jojo Alejar and Valerie Concepcion presented the Favorite Celebrity VJ Award. Jojo asked Valerie, "What makes you famous?" To this, Valerie replied, "Tulog ka siguro kaya hindi mo ako napapanood sa Wowowee. People see me everyday!" The award was won by Sarah Geronimo but she was in the United States at the time so she sent a video of her accepting the award.

Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson were excited to receive the Favorite Guest Appearnce in a music video award. They took part in the music video Loveteam by the band Itchyworms. Behind them (in photo) were presenters Yeng Constantino and Jed Madela.

One of the highlights of the night was the tribute to Gary Valenciano, the recipient of the MYX Magna Award for 2008. Ebe Dancel of Sugarfree and Aia de Leon of Imago performed Mr. Pure Energy's "Di Bale Na Lang."

Kyla was tapped to sing "Take Me Out of the Dark" with Janno Gibbs (not in photo). Earlier that night, Kyla received the award for Favorite Remake.

The upbeat song "Hataw Na" was performed by Ogie Alcasid and Vina Morales. Gary is celebrating his 25th year in the entertainment scene this 2008 while Ogie is slated to hold his 20th anniversary concert this September.

Regine Velasquez was the scene stealer of the night for her impecabble rendition of "Sana Maulit Muli." Asia's Songbird says that two of her favorite songs by Gary V are "Ikaw Lamang" and "Kailangan Kita."

Gabriel Valenciano proved that he is indeed his father's son through an energetic dance routine that involved pyramids and lots of breakdancing.

After the awards night, Gary V told PEP, "I had no clue. Nobody told me! The boys were just gone from the house. They said, 'Oh, we're going somewhere...' Then I said, 'Okay, come home early ha!' One o'clock na nga, they weren't home yet. I went, 'Where are you guys? You're supposed to be home!' They were rehearsing na pala."

Paolo Valenciano of the band Salamin was initially reluctant to perform the song "Shout for Joy" for his dad's tribute. But when a lot of singers told him that they were inspired because of Gary, he was convinced that it was the right thing to do.

During this speech, Gary Valenciano told everyone, "I never planned to be in entertainment and now I look forward to the next 25 years."

After the show, he told the organizers, "What a production! That's why when I met the director, Homer Flores, I told him, 'Give me a high five. You just made me cry tonight.' I did not expect that."

Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid presented the award for Favorite Song, which was won by Sarah Geronimo for the song "Ikaw." The pop singer (who was absent that night) was the big winner for receiving four awards: Favorite Song, Favorite Artist, Favorite Female Artist, and Favorite MYX Celebrity VJ.

Angeli Pangilinan narrated how difficult it was to keep the tribute number a secret from her husband Gary V.

What can we expect from Gary Valenciano for the next 25 years?

He answered, "Not just music. There's a lot more. And it's amazing how it's flooding into my mind now. I'm doing more acting this year. I might be doing a film really soon. I just finished another one."