Pilita Corrales

Pilita Corrales
Born	August 22, 1939 (1939-08-22)
Origin	Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
Genres	OPM Pop Soul Manila Sound
Occupations	Singer-songwriter Actress Comedienne Television presenter
Years active	1958–present
Labels	Vicor Records Aquaries Records

Pilita Garrido Corrales (born August 22, 1939) is a Popular Filipina singer-songwriter, actress, comedienne, and television presenter. She is tagged "Asia's Queen of Songs."

Biography

Pilar "Pilita" Garrido Corrales was born in Lahug, Cebu to a Spanish mother Maria Garrido and a half Filipino half Spanish father Jose Corrales. After finishing her studies at Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion in Cebu, she went to Spain to enroll in a finishing school in music. In 1958, Corrales began her recording career after arriving in Australia for a brief period. She left her legacy by becoming the first woman to make the Australian pop charts with a local recording called 'Come Closer to Me'. She became a star of the Victoria Television circuit and her first hit, Come Closer to Me, became part of a collection on which she’s billed as one of the Grand Dames of Victorian Radio and Television.

Corrales holds the distinction of being the first female artist to top the Australian pop music charts long before Helen Reddy, Olivia Newton-John and Kylie Minogue. She also recorded at least 3 LPs in the late 1950s early 1960s: Pilita with Arthur Young :Pilita tells The Story of Love, I'll Take Romance and This is Pilita under Astor Records. Being one of the pioneers of Australia's early television years, a street was named after her in Victoria. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) featured Corrales and several pioneering female artists in Australia in the 2nd episode of the highly acclaimed TV special, Love is in the Air. Corrales returned to Manila in 1963 to pursue a career in the Philippine music industry. Her Philippine career began when she hosted a radio program La Taverna over DZPI where she sang Spanish songs and played the guitar. She performed regularly in stage shows at the Manila Grand Opera House. Subsequently, her reputation grew and during her international stints, she has performed with internationally acclaimed artists like Sammy Davis Jr. the Beatles4th July, 1966, Bob Hope, Pat Boone, Frank Sinatra and Julie Andrews. She also appeared in movies, most of them musicals. Her film debut was a lead role in the 1968 film Miss Wawaw and was followed by 11 films for the next two years. Corrales later recorded songs in Spanish in the early 1960s as well as songs in English, Tagalog and Cebuano during the 1970s under Vicor Music Corporation. Her multiawarded TV program at ABS-CBN, An Evening with Pilita (1965–1972), is widely considered as one of the benchmarks in Philippine broadcasting history.

Corrales frequently performed for Seeing Stars with Joe Quirino in IBC-Channel 13 after the martial law years where she demonstrated her range as a gifted performer of Spanish, English, Cebuano and Tagalog music. Aquarius Record Philippines produced a compilation of Pilita's Spanish songs in CDs like Noche de Ronda, Vaya Con Dios. Her signature song A Million Thanks to You by Alice Doria-Gamilla was translated in seven languages. She eventually recorded songs composed by Filipino composers like Danny Holmsen, George Canseco, Willy Cruz, Ryan Cayabyab and several others. Under Vicor Records, Corrales interpreted numerous Filipino classics and introduced them to younger audiences.

Corrales first met Canseco in Your Evening with Pilita (aired on pre-Martial Law ABS-CBN) as a guest in the composers' portion of the show". For the show Canseco brought with him You're All I Love. Canseco later wrote Filipino lyrics for the song, which became Kapantay ay Langit, the first song Canseco sold to a record label in 1966. The song was first recorded by Amapola for the movie theme of Kapantay Ay Langit starring Marlene Dauden and Eddie Rodríguez. The song won for George Canseco and Amapola the Manila Film Festival award for best song of the year. The song did not fare well commercially, because Amapola had left (for her U.S. concert tours) and the song was not promoted properly, according to Canseco during an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer. But when Pilita revived the song, it turned into a classic and defied trends and time. "The song," Pilita said, "was included in my album Philippine Love Songs Vol. 1, which was released in the early 1970s."

Through the personal invitation of Sammy Davis Jr., Pilita became the first Filipino to sing in Caesars Palace. In her concert in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas during the late 70s, Pilita sang Spanish, English, Cebuano and Tagalog songs, all conducted and arranged by Ryan Cayabyab.

After receiving a 1965 Philippine Citizen's Award for TV as Best TV Female Performer, Pilita went on to receive Cecil, Aliw, Tinig and Awit and several other awards for her performances and lifetime achievement. In 1990, she received a Merit Award from the FAMAS Awards. In 1991, she was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) for bringing Filipino musical artistry to international audience. She also holds the distinction of being the first Filipino to win in an international music festival by bagging the Best Performer Award during the 1st Tokyo Music Festival (1972) where she bested numerous international artists including the highly-regarded Olivia Newton-John.

These days she operates Pilita, a restaurant-bar in Greenhills named: PILITA'S, one of Manila's prime commercial districts. She is also a highly-acclaimed host and comedy actress on Philippine television. With over 135 albums to her credit and an international profile with many appearances in Asia, the Middle East, Australia and North America, she still enjoys a reputation as one of the Philippines most celebrated singers.

In 2006, Corrales was selected by Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC Channel 5) and FremantleMedia to be one of the celebrity-judges for the first-ever nationwide search for the Philippine Idol together with composer Ryan Cayabyab and rapper Francis Magalona. She was a judge in the first Asian Idol held in Indonesia, representing Philippine Idol.

Personal life

Corrales has two children, Jackielou Blanco and Ramón Christopher Gutierrez. Both her two children are also well known celebrities in the Philippine Film Industry. Corrales was married in 1963 to the late Spanish executive businessman Gonzalo Blanco and separated soon after, while her daughter Jackielou was still a child. Gonzalo died in 1981.

Corrales gave birth to her second child, Ramón Christopher in 1971. Ramón's father is Filipino actor Eddie Gutierrez. On May 22, 2001, Corrales married Paraguayan businessman Carlos López.

Discography

Australia

1. Come Closer to Me
2. Pilita with Arthur Young: Ill Take Romance
3. This is Pilita
4. Pilita tells the story of Love

Philippines (including albums for international release)

1. Pilita, Live At the Riviera
2. Pilita, Live At the Riviera Vol. 2
3. Pilita, Live At the Riviera Vol. 3
4. Pilita, Now
5. Pilita Sings
6. Para Ti Mama
7. Love
8. Pilita in Motion
9. Pilita Corrales, Greatest Hits
10. Pilita, Greatest Hits Volume 2
11. Matud Nila (Cebuano Visayan)
12. Philippine Love Songs
13. Philippine Love Songs Volume 2
14. Kapantay ay Langit
15. A Song for You
16. Sampaguita
17. Best of Philippine Pop Songs
18. Sa Tanang Panahon (Mostly Cebuano Visayan versions of Tagalog songs)
19. Minamahal, Sinasamba
20. Filipiniana
21. Pilita, The Queen of Songs (Ang Mutya ng Awit)
22. Pilita, Christmas Special
23. Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?
24. The Best of Philippine Music
25. Salakot
26. Pagsapit ng Pasko
27. Araw-araw, Gabi-gabi
28. Pilita, Visayan Love Songs Volume 1 (Cebuano Visayan)
29. Pilita Sings George (If I Had My Life to Live Again)
30. Pilita, Great Songs from Filipino Movies
31. Sa Aking Pag-iisa
32. Walang Pagmamaliw
33. Pilita Sings...Love Themes from Viva Films
34. Pilita y Amado en español
35. Pilita Y Amado en español, Volume 2
36. Ang Nagiisang si Pilita(Viva Records)
37. Pilita Goes Pop (OctoArts Record)
38. When My Eyes Are Filled with Tears (Dyna Record)
39. Pilita Corrales sings Visayan Songs (Cebuano Visayan) (Villar)
40. For Love Sake Only
41. If You Go Away
42. Hoy
43. Oh La La!
44. Pilita y los mensajeros del Paraguay
45. Viajar (Travel)
46. Abrázame (Embrace Me)
47. Yukbo Sa Bisayanhong Awit (Cebuano and Ilonggo Visayan duet album with Susan Fuentes)

Recorded songs

1. Ako ang Nagtanim
2. Ako Raw ay Makasalanan
3. Ampingan Mo ba
4. Ang Dalaga Noon at Ngayon
5. Ang Diwa ng Pasko
6. Ang Kawayan
7. Ang Pag-ibig
8. Ang Pag-ibig ay Mahiwaga
9. Ang Pipit
10. Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig
11. Apat na Dahilan
12. Awit ng Labandera
13. Awit ng Mananahi
14. Ay Pag-ibig
15. Ay, Ay, Ay Pag-ibig
16. Ayaw nang Magmahal
17. Bakas ng Lumipas
18. Bakasin Mo sa Gunita
19. Bakit Kita Inibig
20. Balud sa Kalimot
21. Balut
22. Baryo Fiesta
23. Basta't Magkasama Tayo
24. Basta't Mahal Kita
25. Bisan sa Damgo Lang
26. Buhat
27. Bulak Akong Bukidnon
28. Cariñosa
29. Come Close and Love Me
30. Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak
31. Dahil sa Iyo
32. Dalagang Pilipina
33. Dalagang Pilipinhon
34. Dalawang Filipina
35. Di Ko Kasalanan
36. Di na Iibig
37. Dili na Mausab
38. Gipangita Ko Ikaw
39. Goodbye
40. Had I Known It
41. Hanggang Langit Mahal Kita
42. Hinahanap Kita
43. Hinugpong nga mga Awit
44. Hiwaga ng Pag-ibig
45. Huling Halakhak
46. Ibong Kakanta-kanta
47. If I Had My Life to Live Again
48. Iibigin Ka
49. Ikaw ang Mahal Ko
50. Ikaw na Lamang
51. Iniibig Kita
52. Ipagdarasal Kita
53. Irog Ako ay Mahalin
54. Isumbong Ko Ikaw Sa Langit
55. Iyong-iyo Kailan pa Man
56. Kahit Sino Ka Man
57. Kamingaw Gayud
58. Kapantay ay Langit
59. Kataka-taka
60. Katulog na Inday
61. Kay Hirap ng Umibig
62. Kay Langit Ko ang Gugma Mo
63. Kung Batid Mo Lamang
64. Kung Kita'y Kapiling
65. Kung Nagsasayaw Kita
66. Lahat ng Araw
67. Lahat ng Gabi Bawat Araw
68. Lahat ng Oras
69. Lamok
70. Landas sa Pag-ibig
71. Larawan ng Pag-ibig
72. Let's Forget The Time
73. Lihim na Damdamin
74. Lonely Nights
75. Luluha Ka Rin
76. Maalaala Mo Kaya
77. Magandang Gabi Po
78. Mahal Kita Hanggang Langit
79. Mahal Mo Ba Ako?
80. Mahiwaga
81. Mamang Tsuper
82. Mangga
83. Mano Po Ninong
84. Matagal na Rin
85. Matud Nila (Visayan)
86. May Ibong Kakanta Kanta
87. Minamahal Kita
88. Minamahal Ko Siya
89. Nahigwa-os
90. O Maliwanag na Buwan
91. Paano
92. Pag-ibig Ikaw ang Dahilan
93. Pagka't Kapiling Ka
94. Pagkadali
95. Pasko sa Nayon
96. Patatawarin Kita
97. Pilipinas
98. Pobreng Alindahaw
99. Porbida
100. Puto Kutsinta
101. Rosas Pandan
102. Sa Araw ng Pasko (Ikaw Lang ang Siyang Kailangan)
103. Sa Bawat Sandali
104. Sa Libis ng Nayon
105. Saan Ka man Naroroon
106. Salakot
107. Salamat sa Alaala
108. Sampaguita
109. Sana Kahit Minsan
110. Sapagkat Ikaw ay Akin
111. Sapagkat Kami ay Tao lamang (Because We Are Only Human)
112. Sapagkat Malapit na
113. Sayaw sa Ilaw
114. Sayo sa Kabuntagon
115. Sinumpa Ko sa Diyos
116. Sumpang Walang Hanggan
117. Tama Na
118. Titibok-Tibok
119. Together
120. Tugoti Kami
121. Tunay na Tunay
122. Ulilang Puso
123. Walang Kapantay
124. When Eyes Are Filled with Tears
125. Yesterday I Heard the Rain
126. Noche de Ronda
127. Vaya con Dios (Farewell)
128. Historia de un amor (Story of a Love)
129. Abrázame (Embrace Me)
130. Obsesión
131. Gracias amigo (Thanks my Friend)
132. Solamente una vez (Just Once)
133. Espérame en el cielo (Wait for Me in Heaven)
134. La foto (The Picture)
135. Hasta el fin de mi existir (Til the End of My Existence)
136. Con estas manos (With These Hands)
137. Filipinas
138. Tema del padrino (Theme of the Godfather)
139. Grande, Grande, Grande
140. A flor de piel
141. Quisiera saber (I’d Like to Know)
142. Desde que tú has ido (Since You’ve Been Gone)
143. Tu sonrisa (Your Smile)
144. Concierto de un otoño
145. Perfidia
146. Aldila
147. Angustia
148. Río rebelde
149. Voy (I Go)
150. Amor (Love)
151. Waray-Waray
152. Nganong Mipakita Ka
153. Sayri Ako
154. Ngano Ba Gugma
155. Ampinging mga Bulak
156. Ilingaw-Lingaw Lang
157. Mao Ba Kini ang Gugma
158. Hain Ka na Pinangga
159. Uhaw sa Gugma

TV shows

• Your Evening with Pilita - ABS-CBN
• Lovespell- Cindyrella - ABS-CBN
• Awitawanan - IBC
• Mag-asawa'y Di Biro - RPN
• Ang Bagong Kampeon - RPN
• Tanghalan Ng Kampeon - GMA Network
• Lagot Ka, Isusumbong Kita - GMA Network as Mamita
• Philippine Idol - ABC (now TV5) (judge)
• Celebrity Duets - GMA Network
• Talentadong Pinoy - TV5 (judge)
• Show Me Da Manny - GMA Network Various
• Full House - GMA Network as Anita Lazatin
• My Driver Sweet Lover (TV series) TV5 as Maximilliana "Abuela Maxi" Barrrinuevo
• TodaMax - ABS-CBN as Lola Mamsie

External links

• Astor Records, Australia
• imdg.com
• She's leaving home (Love is in the air, ABC TV-Australia)
• Vicor Music Corporation
• Cebu’s divas
• Even Canseco was rejected, Pilita remembers by Nini Valera
• Olivia Newton-John at the 1st Tokyo Music Festival
• Kinks sa‘PI' auditions, areglado na
• Beyond Birit
• RP Idol's First Yield