13 Abril, 2025 Linggo
Joins Christian families in observance of Holy Month April
Warmest Month April in iskup
supports Food Month April
supports Araw ng Kagitingan 2025 theme Kabayanihan ng Beterano: Sandigan ng Kaunlaran ng Bagong Pilipinas
election campaign period, gun ban in effect
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay
No to SOGIE bill
congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565th batch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan, looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City
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Family of the late Edison Palero appreciates everyone joined them in their bereavement
Deepest sympathy to the family of the late Lourdes Co, her remains lies in St. Peter Chapels , Sucat, Paranaque
Congratulations to new set of interim officers of Luzon Convention of Southern Baptist Churches, Inc.-Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries, Inc -moderator Dr. Enrico San Pedro Phd; Executive Secretary Jorge Lopez, Treasurer Rev. Nestor Sadim, Public Relation Officer Rev. Manuel Soliman
Happy Birthday Jo God-Saves Lopez and Ulysses Lopez, more birthdays to come
PM for any hospital discharge problem
abs 2025, Bocaue, Bulacan
Pilita Corrales, Asia’s Queen of Songs, 87
By Cynthia Montojo
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce passing of our beloved mami and mamita, Pilita Corrales,” granddaughter Janine Gutierrez said in her post “Asia’s Queen of Songs” Pilita Corrales has passed away at the age of 85. Cause of her death has not been publicly revealed.
“Pilita touched lives of many, not only with her songs but also with her kindness and generosity…she will be remembered for her contributions to entertainment industry, but most of all for her love of life and family…please join us with your prayers and kind thoughts as we celebrate her beautiful life,” she added. Details of memorial services will be announced soon, Janine said.
Janine earlier said she was thrilled to be producing film documentary about the life of her grandmother, directed by Baby Ruth Villarama.
“There’s so much to learn about being woman and overcoming problems…whatever happened, patuloy lang siyang bumabangon talaga, ” Janine described her mamita.
Valuable life lesson she learned from Pilita was importance of family. “Everything she does is for her family…and at the same time, as woman, she overcame a lot of adversity…she started singing to be breadwinner because her dad passed away…and she went through a lot,” she said.
Pilita, whose real name is María del Pilar Corrales y Garrido, was born on Aug. 22, 1939 in Lahug, Cebu. She had two children, Jackielou Blanco and Ramon Christopher Gutierrez, father of Janine.
Jackielou’s father is Spanish executive businessman Gonzalo Blanco while Ramon’s is Eddie Gutierrez.
In her six-decade long career, the veteran singer, actress and comedienne had released more than 100 albums, including her chart-topping hit “A Million Thanks to You” and “Kapantay ay Langit.”
Pilita could speak Visayan (Cebuano), Spanish, Tagalog and English, and could perform Japanese and Italian songs.
She was the only Filipina who joined The Beatles on stage when famous British band staged concert in Manila in 1966.
She also earned Lifetime Achievement Award from Philippine Association of the Record Industry and was conferred with honorary Doctorate in Music degree by University of Visayas for her remarkable contribution to Philippine music industry.
Dubbed as one of the “Great Dames of Victorian Radio and Television,” street in Melbourne, Australia was named after her.
Heavy hearts indeed. That is how, I’d say, millions of friends and fans reacted to the news. Pilita, singer and actress so beloved by so many, is gone. She was 87 years old. And how she filled up those years as artist and as beautiful human being.
Pilita was eldest child of Jose Corrales and Maria Garrido. She was born on Aug. 22, 1939 to conservative, well-off family in Cebu. As young girl she was sent to study in finishing school in Spain, Colegio Mayor de Padre Poveda. It was there where she learned to sing and play guitar as hobby. Unknown to her then, those skills would come in handy when her family was racked by sudden death of her father. Despite her sheltered upbringing, Pilita rose up to challenge of helping provide for her mother and younger brother Rafael.
It was proverbial touch and go for a while. Radio show, “La Taberna,” where she DJ-ed and sang Spanish songs with her guitar, followed by stage shows at the Clover Theater and Manila Grand Opera House. Then chance to go to Australia led to her first big success. Her recording of Come Closer to Me topped hit charts. This was followed by more singles and albums, and her becoming star and pioneer act on Australian television. Her success was so phenomenal that street was named after her in Victoria.
By the time she returned to Manila, Pilita had her style down pat. Not only as singer, sweet but dramatic, but also as star in her figure-hugging sequined gowns, bouffant hairdo and beginnings of her trademark backbend.
It was not long after this that recording beckoned. Her first big hit was original Filipino composition, A Million Thanks to You by Alice Doria-Gamilla. From this, it was but few steps to also make it big on television with high-rating show “Your Evening with Pilita.”
World was now hers to conquer. From Rizal Memorial Coliseum with The Beatles to Araneta Coliseum with Matt Monroe and others, she went on tour with Bob Hope, joined Sammy Davis Jr., in Las Vegas to her headlining concert at Carnegie Hall. She also acted in “Miss Mamaw,” “My Faithful Love” and later proved herself adept comedienne in movies and television.
Her greatest accomplishment as artist came about with Vicor Music’s Philippine Love Songs in 1972. Not only because the album sold and continues to sell lots of copies but also because it introduced Filipino songs to younger generation. Back then, it was not considered hip for pop artists to record old Filipino songs. Pilita changed that. Her rendition of Mike Velarde’s Dahil Sa ‘Yo, Tito Arevalo’s Hinahanap Kita, Sapagka’t Kami’y Tao Lamang by Tony Maiquez, Rosas Pandan by Manuel Velez and others made album brilliant showcase of great Filipino music.
After Philippine Love Songs, it became practice for big-name singers to record old and new Filipino originals. This made it easy for Rico J. Puno to get kids interested in Kapalaran and for Basil Valdez to give them Ngayon at Kailanman. Album became one of the biggest sellers of all time in local pop music history. It also jump-started career of composer George Canseco and gave Pilita her most enduring hit, Kapantay ay Langit.
All these though pale against how Pilita lived her life. Despite her stature as artist, she was known as kind and generous friend to everybody. Many were those whose careers she started by introducing them to producers and managers. She constantly dispensed well-meaning advice. She even allowed newcomers to stay with her and those who needed gowns to raid her closet. And always, as it was before, even when nearing her final days, her biggest concern was for her family. No wonder country is in mourning.
The day you came along with your song, my heart began to sing dear, million thanks to you, Pilita.
ISKUP! 