In line with the incredible milestone in Alden Richards’ recording career, we look back to the big records that made indelible mark on the local music scene.
And in our effort to inspire more local artists to create original material and music that appeal to global audience, we are listing down local music’s most successful records of all time:
Cutterpillow
Eraserheads is not called The Beatles of the Philippines for nothing. The band’s third studio album released on Dec. 8, 1995 by Sony BMG Music sold more than 400,000 copies. Based on our history books, the record turned Gold on its first day and Platinum with first-week sales of more than 125,000 copies. The album was certified quadruple platinum in 1996, having shipped more than 175,000 copies in just under a month after its release, becoming the fastest selling album in ‘90s era. Additionally, Cutterpillow became a highlight in Pinoy music as it introduced classic songs such as “Huwag Mo Nang Itanong,” “Overdrive,” and the anthemic “Ang Huling El Bimbo.” In 2012, it was certified 11x Platinum by the PARI catapulting Eraserheads as the country’s most successful band.
Nina Live!
The country’s Soul Siren famed for her extraordinary vocal range, released a live album in 2005. After a week of commercial release, the album immediately reached gold status and was certified platinum after three weeks. It is considered to be the biggest-selling album by a female artist in the Philippines, certifying for selling more than 300,000 copies or 10x Platinum using PARI’s certification level between 2005 and 2006.
Popstar: A Dream Come True
The Pop Queen’s debut album released on Sept. 11, 2003 by VIVA Records is one of the most controversial albums in the recent history. In a report by Journal Online, citing PARI as the source, Sarah G’s Popstar: A Dream Come True is said to have sold almost 300,000 units as of 2008. To date, Popstar: A Dream Come True has shipped more than 310,000 units, which is equivalent to 20x Platinum (or double Diamond) using PARI’s certification measurement as of 2012. The album spawned pop hits including “To Love You More,” and Sarah’s cover of Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now.”
Drawn, R2K and Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw
The Asia’s Songbird is in a league of her own. In 1998, 1999 and 2000, she released the records Drawn, R2K and Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw. Each record was certified 6x Platinum by PARI for selling more than 240,000 copies each. These albums are popular for producing all-time favorites “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw,” singing contest staples “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” (an Aerosmith cover), and the Jeffrey Osborne original “On The Wings of Love.”
A Wonderful Christmas
Christian Bautista’s A Wonderful Christmas includes heartfelt renditions of “Nakaraang Pasko,” “Gloria,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Christmas Shoes,” and “What a Wonderful World.” It was released a year after he dropped Romance Revisited, an album inspired by the songs of two-time Diamond record awardee Jose Mari Chan. A year after the release of the Christmas album, PARI certified the record Diamond after it sold more than 200,000 units.
Araw Oras Tagpuan
Sponge Cola’s fourth studio album is also the band’s most successful record to date. Released under Universal Records, the album is composed of 12 tracks, the most popular of which is “Tambay.” The single amassed more than six million views on YouTube since it was released. The album received its Diamond Award certification in 2011 for selling more than 150,000 units.
Julie Anne San Jose
Julie Anne San Jose’s self-titled album was certified Diamond by PARI in 2014 after it sold more than 150,000 copies. Released in 2012, Julie Anne’s debut album defines her career as one of the most successful female recording artists of her generation. The album’s first single, “I’ll Be There,” was used as the theme song for the South Korean TV series Lie To Me by GMA-7. The single, which was certified 4x Platinum by PARI, is also the first OPM single to reach the “Platinum Digital Single Record Award” for the outstanding digital sales exceeding 245,000 downloads.
