Pilita Corrales | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Pilar Garrido Corrales |
Born | Lahug, Cebu, Philippine Commonwealth[1] | August 22, 1939
Origin | Cebu City, Philippines |
Genres | |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1957–present |
Labels | Vicor 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]