Manila Sound is a musical genre in the Philippines that began in the mid-1970s in Manila, flourished and peaked in the late 1970s. It is often considered the “bright side” of the martial law era and has influenced all modern genres in the country by being the forerunner to OPM. Manila sound initially was popularize by the band Hot-Dog who had a Pop-Rock sound. In its later period however, Manila Sound was dominated by the disco mania that swept the Philippines.

Black Opinion were a disco band that regularly played at the Oasis Disco, Plaza Hotel. The band consisted of Cesar Hermosa (Vocalist), Yolly Luib (Vocalist), Vic Omila (2nd Guitar), Ebot Santos (Keyboard) Vic Jongko (Drums), Boy Jongko (Lead Guitar), Lito Deseo (Keyboard), Bonggie Valenzuela (Bass).

Nannette Inventor started her singing career as a member of the UP Concert Chorus then went on to become a professional back-up singer with the group, “Filipina.” From there, she branched out into voicing for radio and television commercial jingles and doing cover versions of foreign hits. Nannette’s singing career reached a new high when she interpreted Gary Granada’s “Salamat Musika” at the 7th Metro Manila Pop Music Festival and walked off with the top prize. Nanette continues to sing in the country’s top lounges, in concerts, and television variety shows, and released her very own album under Universal Records entitled “Sumpong.”

The Boyfriends are a musical group from the Philippines composed of Gary Ariola, Bob Guzman, Artie Ilacad and Lloyd Sale. Their heyday was in the 1970s as a leading exponent of the Manila Sound, with pop and disco harmonies reminiscent of the Bee Gees. Several of their songs have entered the canon of Filipino popular song, covered by current stars and amateurs alike.

Ella del Rosario started as the solo female lead singer of the band Hotdog changing the culture and charisma of Filipino music history from folkloric to pop in their 1974 mega-hit Ikaw Ang Miss Universe Ng Buhay Ko. Ella, along with original band members, Lorrie Ilustre and Ramon Torralba were personally handpicked by brothers Dennis and Rene Garcia who were instantly enamored by Ella’s voice and beauty during a private party hosted by Assumption Convent colegialas in Forbes Park. Ella’s sensual style and vocal repertoire was the driving force behind mega-platinum hits as Pers Lab (First Love), Bitin Ako Sa Iyo, You Make Me Blush and other hits from their first LP and movie entitled Unang Kagat (First Bite), both mediums achieved countrywide musical fame in the Philippines during the mid-1970s. After Ella went on to blossom her illustrious solo career, along with earning a Magna Cum Laude BA Marketing Communications degree at Maryknoll College.

ABC Express was the brainchild of Norman Caraan. As well as being a lead vocalist he was the main Songwriter & Producer of OctoArts International & Canary Record luminaries such as Boyfriends, Eloisa, Ella Del Rosario, Yolly Samson and many others. The band also features Jun Mallillin: Guitar, Gig Ilacad: Bass & Sunny Ilacad: Keyboards.

Yolly Samson provided the melodious vocals for one of Manila Sound’s premiere bands in the 1970s, Cinderella. Born on August 20, 1957, the daughter of a music professor, Yolly was one of the lucky few who walked into the Vicor Music office for an audition and emerged with a recording contract under her arm. Her debut single ” Ang Boyfriend kong Baduy “, a light bouncy number which marked the beginning of a string of hits by the fetching neophyte at that time. Foremost among these was ” Sa Aking Pag-iisa “, a straight Filipino ballad which promptly lifted Cinderella from the bubble-gum category to the realm of pop with MOR overtones. Whereas, former Cinderella recordings catered solely to the young, ” Sa Aking Pag-iisa ” appealed to the most conservative listeners and paved the way for the renaissance of the Filipino love song. On November 21, 1997, Yolly Samson died from complications of brain cancer. She was 41.

Tracklisting:

A1 – Black Opinion – Disco Manila
A2 – Nannette Inventor – Dance
A3 – Boyfriends – Seksing – Sexy
A4 – Ella Del Rosario – Shake It Baby
A5 – ABC Express – Magandang Binibini
B1 – Boyfriends – Dance With Me
B2 – Yolly Samson – Iniibig Ka
B3 – ABC Express – Gustong-Gusto Kita
B4 – Nannette Inventor – Ganyan Lang And Pag-Ipig
B5 – Black Opinion – Bonggang-Bonga