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The Hotdogs is a Filipino pop and rock and roll band that topped the Filipino charts in the 70's to the early 80's.

They made their entrance to the Filipino music scene in the 70's when disco music is in its height of popularity. It is considered one of the pioneers of rock and roll music in the Pinoy mainstream world. They led the idea of Manila Sound which exhibits light, playful sentimental sound of popular music employing the combination of regional languages Filipino (primary) and English (as a secondary language) or Taglish. Hotdog songs also portray both spectrums of typical Filipino lifestyle, mixing the lifestyles of the ultra rich and the very poor with the sweet and bustling Filipino entertainment atmosphere.

The band was originally founded by Rene and Dennis Garcia with Louie Nepomuceno. From Louie's band Underground Movement, members Lorrie Illustre and Mon Torralba joined up with Hotdog to be part of the original seven members. Tito del Rosario was one of the first to be asked to join thereby making him like an eventual founder. Rene's friend Roy Diaz de Rivera was the original drummer. Robby Luna also from the Underground Movement joined up later as the second drummer, making him the eighth member. Rene Garcia led the band together with Lorrie Ilustre, Ella del Rosario, Gina Montes, Dennis Garcia, and Mazo Diez to popularity. They disbanded after several hits in 1984 and made a comeback with a new set of artists including the bass guitarist Tony Cortez, keyboardist/synth Don Almario, Ehay Monsalve and Blitz Padua. Lorrie Ilustre is also a composer. The band added female vocalists in different timelines to suit the taste of people for female artists. Best known are Ella del Rosario, the original silk-voiced soloist and Zsa Zsa Padilla who became a screen actress.

The band employed romantic and sentimental notions typical of Filipino music since the days of the Kundiman. In 1974, Hotdog performed as top-billed talnet in the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant with the seranade "Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko" (You are the Miss Universe of my life). Other hits include Pers Lab, Ella del Rosario's mega-Platinum solo hit (Filipino phoneticized version of the English phrase first love) , Annie Batungbakal, "Bongga Ka day" and "Beh Buti Nga." Their hit song "Manila" topped the charts in 1984. This particular song centers on the home of the narrator who left Manila and became homesick for Manila after traveling abroad. Hotdog boasts more than three dozen Gold and Platinum hits. A majority of their artists, such as Ella del Rosario went on to skyrocketing solo careers in show business and media production. Hotdog is now iconized as the popular band that revolutionized the Filipino music industry from the mid-70's and 80's onward.

SONGS:

Annie Batumbakal - about a disco queen from "Frisco" (San Francisco) and her miserable fate

Beh, Buti Nga - laughing at a past crush who never liked you

Bitin Sa'yo - about a lover who never felt any love from the one he loves

Bongga Ka 'Day - talking about how terrific Pinay style is back in the 70's

Can't Forget You - English love song with Zsa-Zsa Padilla

Dying to Tell You - English love song which talks about a lover who can't express his feelings

Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko - serenade to 1974 Ms. Universe pageant held in Manila, serenade to all Filipina women we love

Ikaw Pa Rin - expresses that after all the kisses and lovers, only one person is who you love

Kasi Naman - even after all the fights, you're still in love

Langit Nanaman - tells that it's like heaven when you see, smell or be with someone you love

Manila - missing the Philippines' capital

O, Lumapit Ka - a tempting song to a lover

Pers Lab - what it feels like to be in love

Cultural Heritage - The global pinoy, Pinoy Musicians - [1]