MANILA, Philippines--ON ITS 11TH YEAR, ?MUZIKLABAN,? THE country?s long-running showcase of Pinoy metal rock, has expanded its attractions to include awards in extreme sports, skin art and indie films.

In the past, this annual gathering of metal-influenced bands and fans was top-billed by foreign acts such as Sepultura.

In the latest ?Muziklaban Grand Finals Night? held recently at Metrowalk Open Parking Area, five amateur bands vied for top honors and recognition after besting thousands of hopefuls across the archipelago in a series of local and regional eliminations.

The event was a culmination of the ?Muziklaban Rock Challenge? in search of the next generation of Pinoy bands.

In the ultimate showdown, Hatankaru from Valenzuela City struck gold with its exciting funk-soul update reminiscent of POT. Opening with a grinding funky number, ?Lakip,? Hatankaru followed it up with ?Larawan,? a rock jam that echoed Razorback.

The four-member group capped its three-song run with a crowd-pleasing cover of POT?s ?Ulitin.?

Formed in 2004, Hatankaru is composed of vocalist Roy Elinzano, bassist Michael Villaflores, drummer Elmer Glino and guitarist Gilbert Pacariem. The band?s name, coined by its original bass player, was derived by jumbling the spelling of Karuhatan?the town where the group hails from. The members said they were on the verge of disbanding when ?Muziklaban? organizers came calling.

Hoodswhite from Cagayan de Oro City played true to the competition?s predilection towards extreme, unpredictable and intense music. Its members showed up in makeup a la Kiss and delivered a jaw-dropping set of de-tuned Goth and death metal rock numbers.

The good news is that the vocalists of the contending finalists could actually sing, their voices roaring loud and clear above the din of their bands? typical three-guitar setup.

Second Squad from Baguio offered an original composition, ?Venus,? which sounded ready for the big league, especially with the rock star performance of its lead singer.

Hatankaru received a cash prize of P500,000 tax-free, a record deal and bragging rights as this year?s ?Muziklaban? champs. The band joins the select company of currently popular Pinoy rock acts and past Muziklaban top dogs Mayonnaise, HardBoiled Eggz, Gayuma and Even.

In between numbers by the contest finalists, guest bands sustained the excitement level. Intolerant kept to its signature blast of tinnitus-inducing, yet melodic, death metal.

Slapshock proved its rap-metal past could be re-tooled to the same mighty voltage as its current heavy hitter, ?Cariño Brutal.?

Multifaceted group Kadangyan made waves with its unusual concoction of polyrhythmic loud rock.

The panel of judges included Radioactive Sago Project?s Lourd de Veyra, Queso?s Ian Tayao, Greyhoundz?s Reg Rubio, 6Underground club owner Bel Sayson and Starcom media manager Nadine Wee.

Pinoy rock legend Joey ?Pepe? Smith, ?Muziklaban?s? perennial mascot, provided comic relief all night long.