The singer-songwriter from the Dominican Republic bagged no less than five trophies during last night’s annual Latin Emmy Awards ceremony.

His “La Llave de Mi Corazón” (“The Key to My Heart”) was named album of the year as well as best merengue album while its title track was honored record of the year, song of the year and best tropical song.

“In recent days, we've had some difficult moments,” Guerra said, pausing to remember the victims of Tropical Storm Noel back home. “But we are a strong and courageous people.”

According to authorities, 85 people lost their lives in the Dominican Republic, while 48 others remained missing after the Tropical Storm Noel unleashed mudslides and floods that drove some 80,000 people from their homes.

Credited for with popularizing the bachata dance rhythms outside the Dominican Republic, Guerra’s unique transformation of traditional sounds managed to triumph a handful of Latin music's new order, including pop star Ricky Martin, Shakira, and reggaeton stars Calle 13.

Ricky Martin, salsa singer Victor Manuelle, Mexican actress-singer Lucero, and the Cuban rap group Orishas were among the stars who performed in his honor at the Mandalay Bay’s North Convention Center on the eve of the Latin Grammys.

“I have a lot of confidence in tropical music, the genres I work in — salsa, merengue and bachata,” Guerra told reporters backstage. “Merengue will never go out of style, nor will salsa or bachata, they are established genres.”

On top of his five wins, Guerra received the Latin Grammy's Lifetime Achievement Award, for his charity work and a career spanning two decades.

Other winners include Ricky Martin, who took home the prize for best male pop vocal and best long form video, Laura Pausini, who was awarded for best female pop vocal album, and Jesse and Joy who were given the prize for best new artist.

“Juan Luis Guerra is…the father of Latin American poetry and whoever thinks the contrary, well, get off the bus,” Martin said backstage.

“We are influenced a lot by the music of the 1970s and we are a little pop-rock and a little folk,” said Jesse, 24, who plays piano and guitar, while 21-year-old Joy sings lead vocals.