Pilita 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.