Vicor Music

Vicor Music Corporation is a Filipino record label whose history is closely connected with the development of the country's commercial recording industry. It was founded in 1966 by cousins Vic del Rosario and Orly Ilacad, with the name Vicor derived from the founders' first names. The company began from a small office in a building along Raon, a well-known commercial area in Manila. Its first recording act was Orly's band, Orly and The Ramrods. During its first decade, Vicor developed into one of the Philippines' most successful independent record companies. Its roster and associated creative network included performers such as Boy Mondragon, Eddie Peregrina, Helen Gamboa, Norma Ledesma, Jeanne Young, Jose Mari Chan, Tirso Cruz III, Victor Wood, Vilma Valera, Vilma Santos and Pilita Corrales. The label also worked with prominent Filipino composers including George Canseco, Willy Cruz, Ryan Cayabyab, Tito Sotto, Rey Valera and Louie Ocampo. This combination of artist development, songwriting and domestic distribution helped Vicor become an important platform for Filipino popular music. The partnership between the founders ended in 1977 when Orly Ilacad left the business after disagreements over its direction. He subsequently established OctoArts International, later known as PolyEast Records. Vicor continued operating under del Rosario and added further important artists to its history. Among them was Freddie Aguilar, whose song "Anak" became a finalist in the first Metro Manila Popular Music Festival in 1978. Sharon Cuneta was also associated with the label and became widely known for the hit "Mr. DJ". Vicor faced a major ownership and financial turning point in 1980. In an effort to preserve the company, Vic del Rosario departed and the Cultural Center of the Philippines took over the business. The following year, del Rosario founded Viva Films, with Vicor serving as a music-marketing partner. This relationship connected the label with the Philippine film industry and produced soundtrack releases associated with films including "Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?", "Bituing Walang Ningning" and "Bagets". Viva Records was established in 1986, expanding the music activities of the broader Viva organization. In later years, Vicor remained active despite operating at a smaller scale than during its peak. The label experimented with formats and products suited to changing Philippine listening habits, including vinyl releases with minus-one B-sides and videoke versions of songs on VCD. Aiza Seguerra was among the notable talents associated with this later period, particularly through the song "Pagdating ng Panahon". Viva acquired Vicor in 2008. The label is now part of Viva Music Group, a subsidiary of Viva Communications. Its historical importance rests not only on its catalog but also on its role in launching or supporting major Filipino singers, musicians, composers and film-soundtrack projects across several generations.

Vicor Music was established in 1966 by cousins Vic del Rosario and Orly Ilacad. The company's name combines elements of the founders' first names. It started with a small office in a building along Raon, Manila, and initially recorded Orly's band, Orly and The Ramrods. The label quickly developed a broad presence in Philippine popular music. During its first decade, Vicor helped build the careers of numerous performers, including Boy Mondragon, Eddie Peregrina, Helen Gamboa, Norma Ledesma, Jeanne Young, Jose Mari Chan, Tirso Cruz III, Victor Wood, Vilma Valera, Vilma Santos and Pilita Corrales. Its creative contributors included composers George Canseco, Willy Cruz, Ryan Cayabyab, Tito Sotto, Rey Valera and Louie Ocampo. Within several years, Vicor had become one of the country's leading independent record labels. In 1977, Ilacad departed after business differences and went on to establish OctoArts International, subsequently known as PolyEast Records. Vicor continued under del Rosario and added major artists to its roster. Freddie Aguilar's "Anak" was a finalist in the first Metro Manila Popular Music Festival in 1978, while Sharon Cuneta became associated with the hit "Mr. DJ". The company encountered a major financial and ownership crisis in 1980. Del Rosario left, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines took over Vicor. In 1981, del Rosario founded Viva Films, and Vicor became a music-marketing partner for the film company. This arrangement resulted in soundtrack releases for films such as "Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?", "Bituing Walang Ningning" and "Bagets". Viva Records was created in 1986, broadening the group's recording operations. Vicor remained active into the new millennium, although its scale was described as smaller than during its period of greatest success. It adapted parts of its catalog into newer or alternative formats, including minus-one vinyl B-sides and videoke VCD releases. Aiza Seguerra was among the notable artists connected with this later era, particularly through "Pagdating ng Panahon". Viva acquired Vicor in 2008. The label subsequently became part of Viva Music Group, which operates as a subsidiary of Viva Communications. Vicor's legacy is defined by its long-running Filipino catalog, its contribution to artist careers, its relationship with Philippine cinema and its role in the development of local independent record publishing and distribution.

• 2008

  Viva acquires Vicor

  [1]Vicor Musicen.wikipedia.org

  Vicor becomes part of Viva Music Group following its acquisition by Viva.

• 1986

  Viva Records is established

  [1]Vicor Musicen.wikipedia.org

  Viva creates Viva Records, expanding the group's recorded-music activities alongside Vicor.

• 1981

  Viva Films is established

  [1]Vicor Musicen.wikipedia.org

  Vic del Rosario forms Viva Films, with Vicor acting as a music-marketing partner for related film soundtracks.

• 1980

  CCP takes over the company

  [1]Vicor Musicen.wikipedia.org

  The Cultural Center of the Philippines takes over Vicor in an effort to save the business.

• 1978

  Freddie Aguilar's "Anak" reaches the Metropop finals

  [1]Vicor Musicen.wikipedia.org

  Freddie Aguilar, associated with Vicor, has "Anak" recognized as a finalist in the first Metro Manila Popular Music Festival.

• 1977

  Ilacad departs from Vicor

  [1]Vicor Musicen.wikipedia.org

  Orly Ilacad leaves the company after business differences and later creates OctoArts International.

• 1966

  Vicor is founded

  [1]Vicor Musicen.wikipedia.org

  Vic del Rosario and Orly Ilacad establish Vicor in Manila and begin with Orly's band, Orly and The Ramrods.

A historically important Philippine independent record label focused on Filipino popular music, artist development, catalog exploitation and soundtrack marketing.

• Recorded music · 1966

  Recorded music catalog

  Vicor's core business has been the recording, marketing and distribution of Filipino popular music. Its catalog spans multiple generations of singers, musicians and composers and includes albums, singles and other commercial recordings.

• Soundtrack recordings · 1981

  Film soundtracks

  Through its relationship with Viva Films, Vicor marketed and released soundtrack material associated with Philippine films. Notable soundtrack projects were connected with Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?, Bituing Walang Ningning and Bagets.

• Karaoke and alternative formats

  Minus-one and videoke releases

  In its later period, Vicor adapted parts of its repertoire for performance and karaoke use, including minus-one vinyl B-sides and videoke versions distributed on VCD. These products extended the use of the label's songs beyond conventional album listening.

• 2008

  Viva acquires VicorM&A

  Background

  Vicor remained a historically significant but smaller-scale record label compared with its earlier peak.

  Action taken

  Viva acquired Vicor and placed it within Viva Music Group.

  Aftermath

  Vicor became part of Viva Communications' music operations.

  Source

• 1980

  Ownership transition to preserve VicorStrategy

  Background

  The company faced a difficult financial situation and required an intervention to continue operating.

  Action taken

  Vic del Rosario left Vicor, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines took over the company.

  Aftermath

  Vicor continued its music activities and later became a marketing partner for Viva Films after del Rosario established the film company.

  Source

1. 1Vicor Musicen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Vicor Music official websitevivavicor.com