When I was a child I developed a habit of browsing the dictionary. One day, I learned the definition of the world glamorous: "attractive or appealing in an exotic or exciting manner." A few days later, I overheard a program on television (not sure if it was Ang Bagong Kampeon) and someone said described Pilita Corrales as someone glamorous. Since then I associated that word with Pilita Corrales. She proved to be the embodiment of this adjective for many generations.
Pilar Garrido Corrales, better known as the singer Pilita Corrales, passed away on April 12, 2025, at the age of 85. Popularly referred to as the "Asia's Queen of Songs," Corrales was also known for her signature backbending pose whenever she performed. Throughout a career spanning almost seven decades, Corrales recorded at least 130 albums. She also successfully ventured into the world of movies and television.
 |
| Photo Credit: Billboard Philippines |
Pilita Corrales was born on August 22, 1937 in Lahug, Cebu City to Jose Corrales and Maria Garrido. After completing her education at the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion in Cebu City, Corrales went to Spain to attend the finishing school Colegio Mayor de Padre Poveda.
Her next destination was Australia, the country where Pilita started her showbiz career. In 1959 - through the song "Come Closer to Me" - Pilita Corrales became one of the first female artists to reach the top of the pop charts Down Under.
In 1963, Pilita Corrales returned to the Philippines to pursue a career in the local music industry. From 1965 through 1972, she hosted the pre-martial law ABS-CBN television musical-variety program An Evening with Pilita. Her cover of the theme song of the said program, "A Million Thanks to You," is the first Philippine recording to sell a million copies.
The said program was had a crucial role in reinforcing the link between Pilita Corrales and the song "Kapantay ay Langit" (Tagalog: "Equal to Heaven"). When George Canseco guested in the composers' portion of the program, he brought with him the song "You're All I Love." He later wrote the Filipino lyrics, which became "Kapantay ay Langit." Another artist had initially recorded the song, but did not achieve commercial success. When Pilita Corrales revived the song, "Kapantay ng Langit" became a classic.
Through a personal invitation from Sammy Davis Jr., Pilita Corrales became the very first Filipino to sing on the main stage of the Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. She was also among the local artists who performed as the front act for The Beatles’ Manila concert in 1966.
Pilita Corrales earned the moniker 'Asia's Queen of Songs' following her series of victories in numerous international music contests, starting with the 1972 Tokyo Music Festival. In this festival, Pilita Corrales performed Canseco's "My Daughter."
From 1982 to 1988, Pilita Corrales co-hosted the TV competition show Ang Bagong Kampeon (Tagalog: The New Champion) with Bert Marcelo. The program launched the careers of several successful singers. Other hosting engagements in the Philippines and abroad sought the Corrales-Marcelo partnership. They even co-starred in a 1985 film titled Isang Platitong Mani (Tagalog: A Saucerful of Peanuts)
Pilita Corrales' signature backbending pose (better known as liyad) is a method she used to facilitate the vocal delivery of high notes. By leaning back, she easily accessed and maintained the vocal range needed for certain songs. This pose was emulated by numerous other singers and parodied by scores of comedians, establishing its status in Filipino pop culture.
Her two children, Jackielou Blanco and Ramon Christopher, are well-known celebrities in the Philippine entertainment industry. Jackielou is her daughter with Spanish businessman Gonzalo Blanco. Ramon Christopher is her son with actor Eddie Gutierrez.
Janine Gutierrez, the daughter of Ramon Christopher and Lotot De Leon, has also established her name in the industry as an actress and vlogger.
In the early 1990s, Pilita starred with Eddie, Ramon Christopher, Lotlot and a very young Janine in the TV sitcom Mag-Asawa'y Di Biro (Tagalog: Marriage Is No Joke). Pilita was also co-producer of this program.
At around the same time, Pilita Corrales co-hosted the variety program Awitawanan with the Reycard Duet. The duo was also an opening act in the aforementioned 1966 concert by the Beatles.
In the first two decades of the 21st century, Pilita acted in the following TV programs:
Lagot Ka, Isusumbong Kita
Show Me Da Manny
Full House
My Driver Sweet Lover
Toda Max
Vampire ang Daddy Ko
She was a judge in the following talent competition programs:
Philippine Idol
The X Factor Philippines
Tawag ng Tanghalan segment of It's Showtime
The following movies marked Pilita's final four screen appearances:
Bride for Rent
Basement
My Illegal Wife
Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers
As of February 2025, a film documentary about the life of Pilita Corrales is being produced by Janine Gutierrez under the direction of Baby Ruth Villarama.
This blog post is not enough to outline all the invaluable contributions of Pilita Corrales to Filipino culture. Generations of Filipinos touched by her music are offering their a million of thanks many times over. Their gratitude is not kapantay ng langit, but beyond heaven, or lampas-langit.
REFERENCES:
Jarque, Edu (September 9, 2012). "A Million Thanks To You, From Pilita Corrales". The Philippine Star
Salterio, Leah C. (January 16, 2021). "Behind the Music: "Kapantay ay Langit" by Pilita Corrales". ABS-CBN.com
San Juan, Ratziel (September 25, 2023). "Here's Why The Backbending Pilita Corrales Is Our Music Industry's Biggest Flex". Billboard Philippines
Llemit, Kathleen A. (April 12, 2025). " Pilita Corrales, Asia's Queen of Songs, dies at 85". The Philippine Star
