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The late Pilita Corrales had more than 130 recordings — singles and albums. Her greatest accomplishment as an 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 the younger generation. Back then, it was not considered hip for pop artists to record old Filipino songs. Pilita changed that.
Photo from the late OPM icon’s Instagram
As her granddaughter Janine Guitierrez said in her post yesterday: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved mami and mamita, Pilita Corrales.” Heavy hearts indeed. That is how, I’d say, millions of friends and fans reacted to the news. Pilita, the singer and actress so beloved by so many, is gone. She was 87 years old. And how she filled up those years as an artist and as a beautiful human being.
Pilita was the eldest child of Jose Corrales and Maria Garrido. She was born on Aug. 22, 1939 to a conservative, well-off family in Cebu. As a young girl she was sent to study in a finishing school in Spain, the Colegio Mayor de Padre Poveda. It was there where she learned to sing and play the guitar as a hobby. Unknown to her then, those skills would come in handy when her family was racked by the sudden death of her father. Despite her sheltered upbringing, Pilita rose up to the challenge of helping provide for her mother and younger brother Rafael.
It was the proverbial touch and go for a while. A 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 a chance to go to Australia that led to her first big success. Her recording of Come Closer to Me topped the hit charts. This was followed by more singles and albums, and her becoming a star and pioneer act on Australian television. Her success was so phenomenal that a street was named after her in Victoria.
By the time she returned to Manila, Pilita had her style down pat. Not only as a singer, sweet but dramatic, but also as a star in her figure-hugging sequined gowns, bouffant hairdo and the beginnings of her trademark backbend.
It was not long after this that recording beckoned. Her first big hit was an original Filipino composition, A Million Thanks to You by Alice Doria-Gamilla. From this, it was but a few steps to also make it big on television with the high-rating show “Your Evening with Pilita.”
The world was now hers to conquer. From the Rizal Memorial Coliseum with The Beatles to the 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 the Carnegie Hall. She also acted in “Miss Mamaw,” “My Faithful Love” and later proved herself an adept comedienne in the movies and television.
Her greatest accomplishment as an 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 the 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 the album a brilliant showcase of great Filipino music.
After Philippine Love Songs, it became the 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. The album became one of the biggest sellers of all time in local pop music history. It also jump-started the 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 an artist, she was known as a 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 the country is in mourning.
The day you came along with your song, my heart began to sing dear, a million thanks to you, Pilita.
