VST & Company
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 in Manila, Philippines |
| Founder | Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Spanky Rigor |
| Defunct | 1983 |
| Fate | Disbanded |
| Headquarters | Manila , Philippines |
Area served | Philippines |
Key people | Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Spanky Rigor, Lorie Illustre, Jun Regalado, Roger Herrera Jr., Celso Llarina |
| Products | Music albums, films |
Number of employees | Various members and session musicians |
| Website | www |
VST & Company—often referred to as VST & Co. or simply VST—was a disco ensemble originating from Manila, Philippines, established by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Spanky Rigor. Recognized as one of the most prominent Filipino groups during the late 1970s, they played a pivotal role in advancing Original Pilipino Music (OPM). Their breakthrough came with the 1978 release of the disco track "Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko," initially a B-side single, which significantly contributed to the disco movement in the Philippines and ignited what became known as "VST Mania," solidifying their status as cultural icons.
The core studio lineup featured Lorie Illustre on keyboards, Jun Regalado handling drums, Roger Herrera Jr. on bass, Celso Llarina playing guitars, alongside vocalists Vic Sotto and Spanky Rigor. Meanwhile, the performing group included Roger Rigor, Male Rigor, Monet Gaskell, Val Sotto, and Jun Medina. Over their career, VST & Company produced five albums containing popular tracks such as "Rock Baby Rock", "Swing It Baby", "Disco Fever", "Magsayawan", "Kiss Kiss", "Magnifica", and "Step No, Step Yes". Their influence extended into cinema with appearances in three films: Disco Fever (1978), Swing It, Baby (1979), and Rock Baby, Rock (1979), underscoring their significance in shaping contemporary Philippine pop music.
Together with contemporaries like Boyfriends, Hotdog, and Cinderella, VST & Company contributed substantially to the development of the Manila sound genre.
1978: Formation and Initial Success
During a 2019 conversation with ABS-CBN for ASAP, Monett Gaskell recalled that Philippine radio stations in the 1970s were mandated to air at least one Filipino composition every hour. This regulation helped OPM outperform foreign record sales and bolstered local music's prominence. Male Rigor shared that Tito Sotto, then affiliated with Vicor Music, was inspired to create a new band after overhearing a waitress humming a tune by the Boyfriends, who were signed under OctoArts. This encounter motivated Sotto to assemble a group capable of rivaling the Boyfriends.
Thus, VST & Company was born. Lorrie Ilustre, who served as the initial arranger for the band, explained that Tito Sotto—working as Vicor Music’s A&R manager—requested an urgent recording to compete against another label’s release. Ilustre collaborated with Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon on composing "Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko" (1978), with De Leon providing lyrics while Sotto crafted the melody. Ilustre arranged the piece alongside session musicians Jun Regalado (drums), Roger Herrera Jr. (bass), and Celso Llarina (guitars), completing much of the orchestration while traveling in Davao City. He subsequently added horn and string sections in Manila to finalize the track’s production.
Though initially released with "Ikaw ang Aking Mahal" as its A-side, radio DJs favored the B-side "Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko," which quickly rose to prominence. This success established VST & Company as leading figures in late 1970s OPM and the Manila Sound movement. Tito Sotto remarked that despite their commercial achievements, television exposure was necessary for further growth. Due to shyness around Joey de Leon of TVJ Productions, Tito and Vic opted not to appear prominently; instead, Vic performed alongside Spanky Rigor and Celso Llarina on screen while other members mimed during broadcasts. Spanky brought in his brothers Roger and Male Rigor, joined by Val Sotto, Monett Gaskell, and Jun Medina to form the stage ensemble that lip-synced during TV performances while studio musicians played live.
Their debut album VST (1978) swiftly attained gold status, igniting a nationwide disco craze dubbed "VST Mania." Their inaugural major concert took place at Cebu Coliseum under the theme “Galactica,” inspired by Star Wars: A New Hope. Donning Darth Vader masks and black capes, the band made an immediate cultural imprint on Philippine pop music.
1982–1983: Exiting the Limelight: The "Coke Litro" Tour
Following the decline of the disco movement, VST & Company's last public engagement took place during the nationwide Coca-Cola "Coke Litro" Tour, a promotional concert series that spanned from 1982 to 1983. By this stage, the group had launched five studio albums featuring multi-platinum hits and had also been involved in producing three motion pictures.
Name
In a 2024 discussion, Tito Sotto revealed that after completing recordings for "Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko" and "Ikaw ang Aking Mahal", he found it challenging to select a band name. Drawing inspiration from MFSB ("Mother, Father, Brother, Sister"), he adopted his own initials VST (Vicente Sotto the Third), but incorporated his brother Vic Sotto and Spanky Rigor’s initials to prevent the impression of exclusive ownership. The term "Company" denoted the rhythm section responsible for studio performances.
Legacy and cultural impact
- Ballet Philippines (2016)
In 2016, the Cultural Center of the Philippines showcased "Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko", a dance musical co-produced by Ballet Philippines, ABS-CBN, and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, honoring VST & Company's musical legacy. This production included prominent Filipino performers and was helmed by Ballet Philippines’ artistic director Paul Alexander Morales.
- Awit Award honors (2017)
At the 30th Awit Awards in 2017, VST & Company was bestowed with the "Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino" award, acknowledging their impactful contributions to Philippine music history.
- Millennials Embrace the Music (2017)
In December 2017, the Adamson University Pep Squad secured victory in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition with a routine set to VST & Company's music. Male Rigor joined their celebration by performing "Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko".
- ASAP Natin 'To Celebrates 40 Years of VST & Company
To commemorate four decades since VST & Company's formation in February 2020, ABS-CBN's ASAP Natin 'To presented a musical homage featuring rearranged versions of their classics performed by renowned Filipino artists such as Gary Valenciano, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera, and Billy Crawford.
Appearances and live performances
- TVJ, Eat Bulaga! "Dabarkads" (2015)
- August 2015: Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon appeared on Eat Bulaga! performing "Kiss Kiss", "Ipagpatawad mo", and "Rock Baby Rock".
- Disco Manila (2016)
- August 13, 2016: Spanky and Roger Rigor led "Disco Manila" alongside Jet Montelibano from Music and Magic and the Sounds of Manila band at the Grand Performances Outdoor Summer Series in Downtown Los Angeles; event curated by DJ Joel Quizon.
- NYU Abu Dhabi (2016)
- October 2016: Spanky and Roger Rigor delivered a performance with members of "Disco Manila" at New York University Abu Dhabi. The institution subsequently invited these two US-based members of VST & Company as Artists-in-Residence.
- Stanford University (2018)
- April 2018: Spanky and Roger Rigor performed at Stanford Live’s Bing Concert Hall accompanied by the Union Band, marking a historic first appearance by a Filipino act at this venue.
- Ernst Community Cultural Center, Northern Virginia Community College (2018)
- April 2018: Spanky, Roger Rigor, and Lorrie Ilustre appeared in concert at Ernst Community Cultural Center within Northern Virginia Community College located in Annandale, Virginia.
Personnel
The following credits are derived from Lorie Illustre, Tito Sotto, and the album notes of VST Vol..
- Studio musicians, rhythm section, and orchestra
- Lorie Illustre – keyboard instruments
- Jun Regalado – drums
- Roger Herrera Jr. – bass guitar
- Celso Llarina – guitar and lead vocals
- Vic Sotto – vocal performances
- Spanky Rigor – bass and vocals
- Danny Bornilla
- Boy Alcalde
- Homer Flores
- Filicom Productions – orchestral arrangements
- Toti Fuentes
- Wilfredo Concepcion – brass instruments
- Benjamin Concepcion – brass instruments
- Claude Baria – brass instruments
- Romeo San Jose – brass instruments
- Benjamin Bautista – string section
- Benny Reyes – string section
- Marlene Aviguetero – string section
- Bimbim Villaflor – strings
- Alberto Leonor – strings
- Racelito Carmelotes – strings
- Luisito Obtinario – strings
- Adelaida Perez – strings
- Sancho Samala – strings
- Eloy Prospero – strings
- Modesto Maiquez – strings
- Terry Decena – strings
- Felicitias Ronquillo – strings
- Johnny Cruz – strings
- Fred Concepcion – strings
- VST & Company members
- Roger Rigor – vocal contributions
- Male Rigor – keyboards
- Monet Gaskell – guitars, keyboards, vocals
- Val Sotto – guitar and vocals
- Jun Medina – drums and vocals
Discography
Filmography
During the late 1970s, filmmaker Al Quinn directed two feature films that incorporated VST & Company's songs as their soundtracks: Disco Fever (1978), featuring Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon, and Cocoy Laurel; and Swing It, Baby (1979), starring Vilma Santos alongside Romeo Vasquez, Tito, Vic, and Joey. These productions signified VST & Company's debut in the film industry.
| Year | Title | Director | Cast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Disco Fever | Al Quinn | Vilma Santos, Christopher De Leon, Cocoy Laurel |
| 1979 | Swing It, Baby | Al Quinn | Romeo Vasquez, Vilma Santos, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey De Leon |
| 1979 | Rock Baby, Rock | Oscar Miranda | Vilma Santos, Júnior, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey De Leon |