Up Dharma Down wins at NU Rock Awards (photo by JUDE BAUTISTA)

Alternative band Up Dharma Down bagged the Artist of the Year and Album of the Year trophies at the NU Rock Awards held at the World Trade Center last Oct. 30.

Nominated in nearly every category, Up Dharma Down’s Armi Millare was also one of two Vocalist of the Year awardees (the other was Sugarfree’s Ebe Dancel), which puts a cap on the Best New Artist and Best Female Award she got from the same award-giving body three years ago.

The Best New Artist trophy went to Peryodiko, which also bagged the Guitarist of the Year (for Kakoy Legaspi who was unable to personally receive his trophy because he had a gig in Indonesia) and Producer of the Year (Robin Rivera) awards for their self-titled album.

One of the highlights of the night was the touching tribute given to the late rapper Francis Magalona whom NU Rock Awards inducted into its Hall of Fame this year. The crowd paid homage to Francis by singing along to his hit song “Kaleidoscope World,” and Francis’s son, Elmo Magalona, jammed with Ely Buendia and Francis Reyes on the song, “Higante,” which was one of the last songs the master rapper wrote.

Another highlight was when Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, who is considered as one of the pillars of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), encouraged local artists to create original music at a time when recording remakes prevail.

Other NU Rock Awards winners this year were: Video of the Year -- Pancho Esguerra for “Last Days On A Cruise Ship” by Bamboo; Song of the Year -- “Antukin” by Rico Blanco; Bassist of the Year -- Ivan Garcia of Hilera; Drummer of the Year -- Allan Burdeos of Kamikazee; Smart/U-Rock College Band of the Year -- The Charms; Red Horse In the Raw award -- Dimmerswitch; Smart Buddy Listener’s Choice -- Chicosci; Best Live Act -- Hilera; and Best Album Packaging -- Inksurge for “Mornings and Airports” by Sugarfree.