VST & Co.


VST & Company, or simply VST, is a Filipino disco group from Manila, Philippines, formed in 1977. Hailed as one of the most successful Filipino bands of the late 1970s, the group is considered by many to be one of the original proponents of OPM. Succeeding the Manila sound genre early in the decade as pioneered by the bands Hotdog and Cinderella, the group rose to fame with their first hit song, "Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko". The song ignited Philippine disco culture, and sparked “VST Mania”; a craze that swept across the country throughout the late 1970s. With five best-selling long playing albums which host a catalogue of hits such as "Rock Baby Rock", “Swing It Baby”, “Disco Fever”, "Magsayawan", “Kiss, Kiss”, “Magnifica”, and “Step No, Step Yes”; three critically acclaimed full-length films: Disco Fever, Swing It… Baby, and Rock Baby, Rock, hallmark the band's cultural influence and historical contributions to contemporary Philippine pop music.
wearing a VST t-shirt at the height of "VST Mania", circa late 1979. VST & Company concert, Baguio.

History

VST & Company was conceptualized by comedian Tito Sotto, then vice president at Vicor Music Corporation, in response to the success of the song "Dahil Mahal Kita" by the Boyfriends. In a 2011 interview with Arnold Clavio, Sotto tells the story of hearing the Boyfriends tune being sung by a waitress, which gave him the impetus to create a better hit:
In a mini documentary special by ASAP, featuring artists that gave birth to the Manila sound movement, which then led to the beginnings of OPM, Male Rigor confirms Tito Sotto's anecdotal account:
Foreign artists such as the Bee Gees, Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago influenced the musical style of VST & Company, at a time when disco music dominated the airwaves during the mid-to-late 1970s. The band became a regular performer on the noontime show Eat Bulaga!, hosted by the Sotto brothers and Joey de Leon. The band's legacy is an attestment to their enduring popularity, as their hit songs continue to be played on the radio, and used in television and in film. In an interview with GMA Network News in 2008, songwriter Joey de Leon yearned to write new songs for VST & Co.
"Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko"

VST & Company's first major hit, and most recognizable disco anthem, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko", was not originally intended to be the group's first single. Composed by Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, the song was actually the B-side to the ballad, "Ikaw ang Aking Mahal". Original song arranger, Lorrie Ilustre recalls its genesis:
VST Mania

Upon the release of their debut album entitled "VST & Company ", in 1978, it didn't take long for the record to be certified gold. The album ignited Philippine disco culture which led to “VST Mania”: a phenomenal craze that quickly swept across the Philippines, turning the group into overnight celebrities. Roger Rigor comments on the ups and downs of fame:
The public's overwhelming response to VST's first album heralded the band's popular appeal and star potential. Roger Rigor recalls:
Their first major concert at Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City, was themed “Galactica”; meant to celebrate the box office popularity of the sci-fi epic, Star Wars: A New Hope. The band's primary members wore Darth Vader masks and matching black capes. The aftermath of the highly successful concert reflected band's immediate impact on Philippine pop culture.
Leaving the spotlight: "Coke Litro" Tour

As the disco decade came to a close, VST & Company's last performance and public appearance as a band, would be during the nationwide Coca-Cola "Coke Litro" Tour. The promotional concert tour lasted an entire year, from 1982 to 1983. At the time the band quietly exited the entertainment industry, they had already completed five full-length albums filled with double platinum hits, and made three feature films.
The true meaning of "VST"

Speculation on the true meaning of the group's name has been debated for many decades. In early interviews by local magazines and newspapers, the group playfully suggested it to be: "Very, Secret, Talaga" . Although in recent years, it has been revealed that the acronym is simply the initialism of the first names of the group's three founding members: Vic, Spanky, and Tito, as reported in a special by PTV evening show XIAOTIME in 2016, hosted by Xiao Chua, entitled: "VST & Co.: Kultura na Nagbubuklod sa Nasyong Pilipino".
During an interview on the Arnold Clavio Show in 2011, Clavio asks Tito Sotto if "VST" is an initialization of his full name, "Vicente Sotto the Third":
During VST's Anaheim concert on January 19, 2020, Roger Rigor jokingly hinted that VST meant, "Very, Secret, Talaga" , referencing the answer they used to give the press during the band's heyday. Spanky Rigor then clarified that "VST" simply stands for, "Vic, Spanky, Tito":

Legacy and cultural impact

Ballet Philippines

For its 2016 Holiday Season presentation, the Cultural Center of the Philippines premiered “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” on December 2, 2016: A dance musical collaboration between Ballet Philippines and ABS-CBN with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Gerard Salonga, celebrating the music of VST & Company. Libretto by actress Bibeth Orteza, choreographery by Carissa Adea, James Laforteza, and PJ Rebullida, directed by BP artistic director Paul Alexander Morales. Featured singers and theater actors: Karylle, Michael Pangilinan, Markki Stroem, Kyle Echarri, Cooky Chua, Sandino Martin, Jef Flores, and Noel Comia Jr. Maestro Gerard Salonga comments:
ceremonies of the Philippine Association of the Record Industry, November 26, 2017.
Awit Award honors

VST & Company's generous contribution to Philippine music was acknowledged after receiving the “Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino” at the 30th Awit Award ceremonies of the Philippine Association of the Record Industry, on November 26, 2017.
Millennials Embrace the Music

In December 2017, the Adamson University Pep Squad won the annual UAAP Cheerdance Competition, dancing to the music of VST & Company for their winning performance routine at the Mall of Asia Arena. Male Rigor made a special appearance to celebrate with cheerful students at the ADU campus in Manila, where he performed 'Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko', during the celebratory bonfire. Male Rigor shares a tender moment in connecting with the younger generation:
ASAP Natin 'To Celebrates 40 Years of VST & Company

To celebrate VST & Company's 40th anniversary, ABS-CBN's longest-running Sunday noontime show, ASAP Natin 'To, opened their February 16, 2020 episode with a full musical tribute to VST & Company. The variety show's stars performed rearranged renditions VST hits: Gary Valenciano opened the show with "Magsayawan", followed by Zsa Zsa Padilla performing "Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko", along with Elha Nympha, Zephanie Dimaranan and Janine Berdin. Ogie Alcasid performed "Step No, Step Yes", Martin Nievera and Billy Crawford did "Rock Baby, Rock". And for the finale, the entire cast closed with "Magsayawan".

Appearances and live performances

TVJ, Eat Bulaga "Dabarkads"
Disco Manila
NYU Abu Dhabi
Stanford University
Ernst Community Cultural Center, Northern Virginia Community College
City National Grove of Anaheim

January 19, 2020: The band, billed simply as "VST", performed in a sold-out concert at the City National Grove of Anaheim. The show featured the Rigor brothers and Celso Llarina. Musical direction by Lorrie Ilustre, the original arranger of "Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko", featuring a powerhouse band from Las Vegas: Pepe Jimenez : Mama Mia, Cirque de Soliel, The Lion King, and Carlos Santana. Carlos Perez : with Ricky Martin since 1999. Pablo Gadda : Las Vegas guitar legend. Monique Olivas : Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, and Beyoncé. Timothy Bailey, Jr. : Ariana Grande. Danny Falcon : Celine Dion, and Lady Gaga. Eddie Rich : Boyz II Men. The event was produced by Amore Entertainment.

Band members

VST


VST & Company

Studio albums

Compilation albums

During the late 1970s, iconic Filipino director Al Quinn directed two feature films that showcased the songs of VST & Company as the films' soundtrack: Disco Fever, starring Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon, and Cocoy Laurel; and Swing It, Baby, that top-billed Vilma Santos and Romeo Vasquez, with Tito, Vic and Joey, and other stars of the decade such as Amy Austria, Walter Navarro, Rolly Quizon, Sandy Garcia, Geleen Eugenio, Bing Davao and Mike Monserrat. It was in this film that VST & Company made their big-screen debut. Director Al Quinn recalls:
YearTitleDirectorStarring
1978Disco FeverAl QuinnVilma Santos, Christopher De Leon, and Cocoy Laurel
1979Swing It… BabyAl QuinnRomeo Vasquez, Vilma Santos, with Tito, Vic, and Joey
1979Rock Baby, RockOscar MirandaVilma Santos, Júnior, with Tito, Vic, and Joey

Cover versions by other artists

The popularity of VST & Company's music has inspired several contemporary Filipino music artists to cover their songs. Some of which did reggae, bossa nova, pop and rock and roll renditions of their disco hits and famous ballads: