"Hotdog... Mismo!": An 'I-Witness' documentary by Jay Taruc

I-WITNESS

HOTDOG… Mismo!

Airing date: June 14, 2014

 

It has been four decades since the hit songs “Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko” and “Pers Lab” penetrated the airwaves. Since then OPM has never been the same.  

 

The Hotdog band brought what is called Manila Sound to the Philippine music scene. Because of the playful combination of Tagalog and English (Taglish) words, their songs have became so popular to both the masses and the ultra rich.  

 

This band was the brainchild of brothers Rene and Dennis Garcia, along with five other members. Through the years, their songs have been made into movies such as “Annie Batungbakal’ and “Bongga ka day.” The likes of Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, and the late Fernando Poe, Jr. have graced the silver screen and gave new dimensions to their songs.

 

It was very ironic that disco music was embraced fully during the suppressive years of the Martial Law era. And Hotdog was instrumental in its introduction.

 

In the 80s, one song was to become “the mother of all hotdog hits,” as Dennis Garcia puts it. The song is called “Manila,” inspired by Tony Bennet’s  “I left my heart in San Francisco.”

 

This Saturday, join Jay Taruc and his team in rediscovering the magic that has enthralled millions of Filipinos.