RI pop/rock band Cokelat wins MTV Asia Awards
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Singapore
Indonesian pop/rock band Cokelat won the Indonesian favorite artist category at the second MTV Asia Awards held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday evening.
With only two albums to its credit, the Bandung-based band beat Asian hero Iwan Fals, and compatriot bands Dewa, Slank and Sheila on 7.
Beside Cokelat, who also appeared to present the award for the favorite Thai artist category, another Indonesian artist who performed at the event was noted singer Krisdayanti, who performed with Singaporean Stefanie Sun, Malaysian Siti Nurhaliza (who won her second Malaysian category award) and Palmy of Thailand.
There were 19 winners at the annual event, for which people from all over Asia vote for their favorite performers.
Canadian pop sensation Avril Lavigne, 18, swept up three awards: Favorite International Female Artist, Favorite Breakthrough Artist and the inaugural Style Award.
Hip metal band Linkin Park snatched the Favorite Rock Act and Favorite Video awards.
Taiwanese acting/singing sensation F4, meanwhile, grabbed the Inspiration Award for their huge influence over Asia.
Hosted by reggae star Shaggy and female singer Coco Lee, the award-presenting ceremony opened with a performance by Missy Elliot that incorporated two huge puppets.
Other performers included Robbie Williams, who was named the Favorite International Male Artist, and Lavigne.
Unfortunately the sound system was not that good and Williams' voice was overshadowed by the music.
The event was closed with a performance by British boyband Blue, Malaysian singer Ella and Stefanie Sun singing Blue's One Love together.
The complete list of winners
Regional categories: China: Yu Quan, Chinese Taipei: Jay Chou, Hong Kong: Sammi Cheng, Indonesia: Cokelat, India: A.R. Rahman, Malaysia: Siti Nurhaliza, Philippines: Regine Velasquez, Singapore: Stefanie Sun, South Korea: j.t.L, Thailand: D2B.
Favorite International Male Artist: Robbie Williams.
Favorite International Female Artist: Avril Lavigne.
Favorite Breakthrough Artist: Avril Lavigne.
Favorite Pop Act: Blue.
Favorite Rock Act: Linkin Park.
Favorite Video: Pts of Authority/Linkin Park.
Asian Film Award: Devdas.
Style Award: Avril Lavigne.
Inspiration Award: F4.