Pilita Corrales

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Garrido and the surname or paternal family name is Corrales.
Pilita Corrales
Corrales in 2017
Corrales in 2017
Background information
Birth namePilar Garrido Corrales
Born (1939-08-22) August 22, 1939 (age 85)
Lahug, Cebu, Philippine Commonwealth[1]
OriginCebu City, Philippines
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
  • comedian
  • television presenter
Years active1957–present
LabelsVicor Music Corporation
Aquarius Records

Pilar Garrido Corrales (born August 22, 1939)[1] is a Filipino pop singer, songwriter, actress, comedian and television presenter. She is best-known for her distinctive backbend[2] when singing and is popularly referred to as the "Asia's Queen of Songs" for her vocal style and longevity.[3][4][5][6]

Hailed as the "Greatest singer in the Philippines"[7][8] by the media and critics, Corrales has already recorded 135 albums throughout her six-decade career.[9] Her recordings have mainly been in English and Filipino, while on occasion she records songs in Spanish and Cebuano.[9] Her success would later extend to film and television, where her show An Evening with Pilita is considered as one of the standards [clarification needed] in Philippine broadcasting history.[10] She is a recipient of the prestigious 'Lifetime Achievement Award' by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) for introducing Filipino musical artistry to a global audience.[9]

Lauded for her sweet voice and iconic singing style,[7] Corrales was one of the first superstars in Philippines and became one of the first female artists to reach the top of the Australian pop charts.[2] In 1963, her single "A Million Thanks to You" became one of the few songs by local artists to reach number one on the Philippine chart in the 1960s.[11] She was also the first Filipino to win an international music festival at the first Tokyo Music Festival in 1972.[12] She is recognized as one of the 'Great Dames of Victorian Radio and Television' and has a street named after her in Melbourne, Australia.[13] She was also honored with an honorary Doctorate in Music degree by the University of Visayas for her contribution to the Philippine music industry.[14] In a career spanning over six decades, Corrales has released a string of signature hits including "Kapantay ay Langit" and "A Million Thanks to You", which have since become standards.[15]

  1. ^ a b "Philippines, Manila, Civil Registration, 1899-1984 Image Philippines, Manila, Civil Registration, 1899-1984; ark:/61903/3:1:939F-679H-WW — FamilySearch.org". FamilySearch. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Rediscovering the Golden Divas". www.philstar.com. October 17, 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  3. ^ "LOOK: Jackie Lou Blanco shares snaps from mom Pilita Corrales's 85th birthday | GMA Entertainment". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  4. ^ "Regine and Sharon to pay tribute to Pilita". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  5. ^ Nicolas, Jino (November 6, 2017). "A million thanks". BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  6. ^ "Janine Gutierrez asks grandmother Pilita Corrales: "Do you like Rayver?"". PEP.ph. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Pilita Corrales, with her iconic songs and legendary style, captures the hearts, minds and souls of Winnipeggers!". Filipino Journal. June 23, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  8. ^ "Dulce still wagi after 30 years". www.philstar.com. November 17, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c "Top 100 Cebuano Personalities: Pilita Corrales Asia's Queen of Songs". www.philstar.com. April 9, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  10. ^ "Pilita Corrales is the fourth mentor-judge of The X Factor Philippines". PEP.ph. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  11. ^ "Billboard Hits of the World: Philippines". Billboard. The Billboard Publishing Company. September 28, 1963. p. 31. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  12. ^ "A Million Thanks To You, From Pilita Corrales". www.philstar.com. September 9, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  13. ^ "Janine Gutierrez greets grandmother Pilita Corrales on her 82nd birthday: 'I love you so." Push. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  14. ^ Lo, Ricky. "The day Pilita came along". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  15. ^ Salterio, Leah C. (January 16, 2021). "Behind the Music: "Kapantay ay Langit" by Pilita Corrales". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved June 7, 2023.