"Nosi Bala Si," "Bonggahan," and "Tao" – any true Pinoy rocker knows these songs by heart. More importantly, any true Pinoy music lover knows the voice behind these songs – the one and only OPM rock diva, Sampaguita. Now, through Ballyhoo Records, the legend lives on and she and her music are getting their much deserved recognition in the form of a tribute album bannered by today’s hottest bands.

Titled "Bagong Banda...Awit ni Sampaguita," from Ballyhoo Records featuring today’s hottest bands, the compilation tribute album is to be released on record stores and at Digijooze (www.digijooze.com) on February 29.

Coming out with "Bagong Banda...Awit ni Sampaguita" was no walk in the park for Ballyhoo Records. It is their latest labor of love, blood, sweat, and tears. Ever since the idea of a Sampaguita tribute album emerged in early 2007, months were spent on conceptualization and recording as the album must not only capture Sampaguita’s timeless Pinoy rock hits, but it should also be ear-friendly to the choosy younger fans of the present generation, who are a decade too late to enjoy Sampaguita’s kind of music.

Aside from that, there were the unavoidable line-up and band changes – with some bands and artists begging off from the project due to schedule constraints. But through it all, Ballyhoo Records and Sampaguita herself, did not give up and they marched on to finally produce a searing tribute album that is as legendary and as brave as Sampaguita herself.

Sampaguita was with Ballyhoo Records in every step of the way in terms of conceptualizing, recording, and making "Bagong Banda...Awit ni Sam-paguita." From the album cover’s look and feel to the way the bands covered her precious contributions to original Pinoy music, she was there guiding them.

When asked about the tribute album, Sam-paguita said that even if she is hands-on with "Bagong Banda...Awit ni Sampaguita," she left the big decisions to Randy Dacasin, president of Ballyhoo Records. Still, she admits that she is "excited about it, of course." She added that, "It’s been a long time since ‘Nosi Bala Si,’ produced then by Ramon Jacinto and Chona Evangelista, made it big. Now the tribute album is carefully sorted out by Ballyhoo Records and I’m okay with that."

Indeed, all’s well that ends well. Female-fronted bands who made a modern twist to Sampaguita’s all-time hits are comebacking ‘90s sensation Sugar Hiccup, bar favorite and indie darling Paramita, underground act The Amandas, up-and-co-ming bands Childstar (formerly known as Perimallows), Rocka-by, Zelle, Paraluman, Lokal, Chubibo, Cherrycornflakes, progressive music specialist Fuseboxx, and mainstream act Session Road.

The tribute album is made up of 12 tracks: "Tao," "Bonggahan," "Babalik Sa’Yo," "Laguna," "Sayawan," "Sa Diyos Lamang," "Ikaw Pa Rin," "Mahilig,""Easy Pare," "Sayang ang Oras," "Kumadre," and "Nosi Bala Si."

Sampaguita was born on July 17 in Java, Indonesia. She is the youngest child among the brood of seven and she first came to the Philippines when she was six years old. She grew up at a time when experimentation in both lifestyle and music was the norm – a time which had so much influence on her future music career.

Before her days as the "female Mike Hanopol," Sampaguita was a regular talent in a dance show "Dancetime with Chito" and a lead dancer in another show called "Nineteeners." She also had a stint as a model and had donned outfits for Bagong Anyo, a project of then First Lady Imelda Marcos. She also dabbled on theater, appearing as one of the leads for the first Pinoy rock opera "Mahal." Her stint in various entertainment outputs, her magnetic personality, and her exotic good looks, caught the eye of Nilo Santos of Nilsan Productions. He gave her the first break of her music career – the opening slot for the "New Moon Rock Concert" of 1977.

Together with guitarist Gary Perez, they produced the hits like "Bonggahan," "Tao," "Laguna," "Sayawan," and "Sa Diyos Lamang" – all of which became anthems for their generation and the next generation of Pinoy rock musicians. During her domination, she was the No. 1 opening act choice when international artists visited the country. She fronted for the concerts of Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton and Canned Heat, among many others.

Although she has been inactive in the music industry for quite some time now, her music is making a comeback via Ballyhoo Records’ "Bagong Banda...Awit ni Sampaguita."