# Pilita Corrales

Pilar Garrido Corrales (born August 22, 1939) is a Filipino pop singer, songwriter, actress, comedian and television presenter. She is best-known for her distinctive backbend when singing and is popularly referred to as the "Asia's Queen of Songs" for her vocal style and longevity.
Hailed as the "Greatest singer in the Philippines" by the media and critics, Corrales has already recorded 135 albums throughout her six-decade career. Her recordings have mainly been in English and Filipino, while on occasion she records songs in Spanish and Cebuano. Her success would later extend to film and television, where her show An Evening with Pilita is considered as one of the standards in Philippine broadcasting history. 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.
Lauded for her sweet voice and iconic singing style, 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. 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. She was also the first Filipino to win an international music festival at the first Tokyo Music Festival in 1972. She is recognized as one of the 'Great Dames of Victorian Radio and Television' and has a street named after her in Melbourne, Australia. She was also honored with an honorary Doctorate in Music degree by the University of Visayas for her contribution to the Philippine music industry. 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.

## Life and career
### Early life

Pilar Garrido Corrales was born on August 22, 1939, at Lahug, Cebu City, to José Corrales and María Garrido. Her cousin, Annie Corrales, was Miss Philippines in 1957 and married the businessman Eddie Woolbright. After finishing her studies at Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción in Cebu, she went to a finishing school (charm school) in Spain at the Colegio Mayor de Padre Poveda.

### Career

In 1957, Corrales began her recording career after arriving in Australia for a brief period. 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 is billed as one of the "Grand Dames of Victorian Radio and Television". She also recorded at least three LPs in the late 1950s and 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. 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.
Corrales frequently performed for Seeing Stars with Joe Quirino on 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 on CDs like Noche de Ronda, Vaya Con Dios. Her signature song A Million Thanks to You by Alice Doria-Gamilla was translated into 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 aka Maria Cabase 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 Corrales revived the song, it turned into a classic and defied trends and time. "The song," Corrales 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., Corrales became the first Filipino to sing at Caesars Palace. In her concert at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas during the late 1970s, Corrales 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, Corrales 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 an international audience. She was the first Filipino to win at an international music festival by bagging the Best Performer Award during the 1st Tokyo Music Festival (1972) where she bested numerous international artists, including Olivia Newton-John. She operates a restaurant bar in Greenhills named Pilita's. In 2006, Corrales was selected by Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC Channel 5, now TV5, formerly The 5 Network) 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 Ramon Christopher Gutierrez. Her children are also well-known celebrities in the Philippine film industry. Corrales was married in 1963 to the Spanish executive businessman Gonzalo Blanco and separated while her daughter was still a child. Gonzalo died in 1981.
Corrales gave birth to her second child, Ramón Christopher Gutierrez, in 1971, known to be the father of Janine Gutierrez. Ramón Christopher's father is Filipino actor Eddie Gutierrez. Corrales also has an adopted son, VJ. On May 22, 2001, Corrales married Paraguayan/Australian businessman Carlos López.

## Filmography
### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 1964–1972 | Your Evening with Pilita | Host | ABS-CBN |
| | Dance O Rama | | ABC (now TV5) |
| | Seeing Stars with Joe Quirino | | IBC |
| | Awitawanan | | IBC |
| 1985–1988 | Ang Bagong Kampeon | Host, together with Bert Marcelo | RPN |
| | Tanghalan Ng Kampeon | | GMA Network |
| 1988, 1993 | Ryan Ryan Musikahan | Guest Performer | ABS-CBN |
| 1990–1993 | Mag-Asawa'y Di Biro | | RPN |
| | Awitanghalan | | ABS-CBN Regional Network Group |
| 2003–2007 | Lagot Ka, Isusumbong Kita | Rosa/Mamita | GMA Network |
| 2006 | Philippine Idol | Judge | ABC (now TV5) |
| 2007 | Love Spell Presents: Cindy-rella | | ABS-CBN |
| 2007 | Celebrity Duets Season 1 | Duet partner for Frederick Peralta | GMA Network |
| 2008 | Celebrity Duets Season 2 | Duet partner for Bayani Fernando | GMA Network |
| | Talentadong Pinoy | Judge | TV5 |
| | Show Me Da Manny | | GMA Network |
| 2009–2010 | Full House | Anita Lazatin | GMA Network |
| 2010–2011 | My Driver Sweet Lover | Maximilliana "Abuela Maxi" Barrinuevo | TV5 |
| | Toda Max | Lola Momsie | ABS-CBN |
| 2012 | The X Factor Philippines | Judge | ABS-CBN |
| 2013–2016 | Vampire Ang Daddy Ko | Sonya Ventura | GMA Network |
| February 28, 2015 | Maynila: YOLO si LOLA | | GMA Network |
| February 25, 2016 | Eat Bulaga!: Just Duet | Performer | GMA Network |
| March 12, 2016 | Maynila: My Classmate | | GMA Network |
| September 11, 2016 | Hay, Bahay! | Amelia | GMA Network |
| 2018 | Sana Dalawa ang Puso | Leonora Chavez (guest cast) | ABS-CBN |
| 2019, 2023 | Bravo Executive Lounge | Guest Performer | RJDigiTV |
| 2020–present | Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 4 | Guest Judge | ABS-CBN Kapamilya Channel A2Z ALLTV |
| 2020–present | Kesayasaya | Mommy G | NET 25 |

### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Production company |
| N/A | Port of Escape | | Shot in 1960; unfinished | Tas-American Television Corp. |
| 1988 | Mirror, Mirror on the Wall | Caring / Caridad | | Seiko Films |
| 1994 | Mars Ravelo's Darna! Ang Pagbabalik | Valentina | | Viva Family Entertainment |
| 2014 | Bride for Rent | Avelina "Lala" Corazon | | Star Cinema |
| 2014 | Basement | Lola Meding | | Coffee House Productions Reality Entertainment Springboard Film Productions GMA Pictures |
| 2014 | My Illegal Wife | Lala | | Star Cinema Skylight Films |
| 2016 | Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers | | | OctoArts Films M-Zet Productions APT Entertainment GMA Pictures |

## Discography
### Albums
#### Australia

* Come Closer to Me
* Pilita with Arthur Young: I'll Take Romance
* This Is Pilita
* Pilita Tells the Story of Love

#### Philippines (including albums released internationally)

* Pilita, Live at the Riviera (recorded in Hong Kong in 1976)
* Pilita, Live at the Riviera Vol. 2 (recorded in Hong Kong in 1976)
* Pilita, Live at the Riviera Vol. 3 (recorded in Hong Kong in 1977)
* Pilita, Now
* Pilita Sings
* Para Ti Mama
* Love
* Pilita in Motion
* Pilita Corrales: Greatest Hits
* Pilita: Greatest Hits Vol. 2
* Matud Nila (Cebuano)
* Philippine Love Songs
* Philippine Love Songs Vol. 2
* Kapantay Ay Langit
* A Song for You
* Sampaguita
* Best of Philippine Pop Songs
* Sa Tanang Panahon (mostly Cebuano versions of Tagalog songs)
* Minamahal, Sinasamba
* Oh La La! (1971)
* For Love's Sake Only (1971)
* Pilita in Tokyo (1972)
* Filipiniana (1972)
* Pilita: The Queen of Songs (Ang Mutya ng Awit)
* Pilita, Christmas Special
* Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?
* The Best of Philippine Music
* Salakot
* Pagsapit ng Pasko
* Araw-araw, Gabi-gabi
* Pilita: Visayan Love Songs Vol. 1 (Cebuano)
* Pilita Sings George (If I Had My Life to Live Again)
* Pilita: Great Songs from Filipino Movies
* Sa Aking Pag-iisa
* Walang Pagmamaliw
* Pilita Sings...Love Themes from Viva Films
* Pilita y Amado en Español
* Pilita Y Amado en Español, Vol. 2
* Pilita Goes Pop (OctoArts now PolyEast Records, 1990)
* Ang Nag-iisang si Pilita (Viva Records, 1994)
* Together at Last (with Elmo Makuil) (Quantum Music Corporation, 1996)
* When My Eyes Are Filled with Tears (Dyna Records)
* The Best of Love Duets (Viva Collection Forever) (Viva Records, 1998)
* Pilita Corrales Sings Visayan Songs (Cebuano) (Villar)
* If You Go Away
* Hoy
* Pilita y los mensajeros del Paraguay
* Viajar ("Travel")
* Abrázame ("Embrace Me")
* Yukbo sa Bisayanhong Awit (Cebuano and Ilonggo duet album with Susan Fuentes)
* A Million Thanks to You

### Recorded songs

* "A Million Thanks to You" (1963)
* Ako Raw Ay Makasalanan
* Ampingan Mo ba
* Ang Dalaga Noon at Ngayon
* Ang Diwa ng Pasko
* Ang Kawayan
* Ang Pag-ibig
* Ang Pag-ibig ay Mahiwaga
* Ang Pipit (true)
* Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig
* Apat na Dahilan
* Awit ng Labandera
* Awit ng Mananahi
* Ay Pag-ibig
* Ay, Ay, Ay Pag-ibig
* Ayaw nang Magmahal
* Bakas ng Lumipas
* Bakasin Mo sa Gunita
* Bakit Kita Inibig
* Balud sa Kalimot
* Balut
* Baryo Fiesta
* Basta't Magkasama Tayo
* Basta't Mahal Kita
* Bisan sa Damgo Lang
* Buhat
* Bulak Akong Bukidnon
* Cariñosa
* Come Close and Love Me
* Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak
* Dahil sa Iyo
* Dalagang Pilipina
* Dalagang Pilipinhon
* Dalawang Filipina
* Di Ko Kasalanan
* Di na Iibig
* Dili na Mausab
* Gipangita Ko Ikaw
* Goodbye
* Had I Known It
* Hanggang Langit Mahal Kita
* Hinahanap Kita
* Hinugpong nga Mga Awit
* Hiwaga ng Pag-ibig
* Huling Halakhak
* Ibong Kakanta-kanta
* If I Had My Life to Live Again
* Iibigin Ka
* Ikaw ang Mahal Ko
* Ikaw Na Lamang
* Iniibig Kita
* Ipagdarasal Kita
* Irog Ako ay Mahalin
* Isumbong Ko Ikaw sa Langit
* Iyong-iyo Kailan pa Man
* Kahit Sino Ka Man
* Kamingaw Gayud
* Kapantay ay Langit (Original by Amapola in 1970; later covered in 1972; Sharon Cuneta for the film of the same title in 1994 with her co-star Richard Gomez; Re-recorded feat. King of Soul Janno Gibbs in Janno's 2002 Album by VIVA Records).
* Kataka-taka
* Katulog na Inday
* Kay Hirap ng Umibig
* Kay Langit Ko ang Gugma Mo
* Kung Batid Mo Lamang
* Kung Kita'y Kapiling
* Kung Nagsasayaw Kita
* Lahat ng Araw
* Lahat ng Gabi Bawat Araw
* Lahat ng Oras
* Lamok
* Landas sa Pag-ibig
* Larawan ng Pag-ibig
* Let's Forget The Time
* Lihim na Damdamin
* Lonely Nights
* Luluha Ka Rin
* Maalaala Mo Kaya
* Magandang Gabi Po
* Mahal Kita Hanggang Langit
* Mahal Mo Ba Ako?
* Mahiwaga
* Mamang Tsuper
* Mangga
* Mano Po Ninong
* Matagal na Rin
* Matud Nila (Visayan)
* May Ibong Kakanta Kanta
* Minamahal Kita
* Minamahal Ko Siya
* Minsan Ay Nakasama Kita
* Nahigwa-os
* No Puede Ser (Spanish Version of "Minamahal Kita")
* O Maliwanag na Buwan
* Paano
* Pag-ibig Ikaw ang Dahilan
* Pagka't Kapiling Ka
* Pagkadali
* Pasko sa Nayon
* Patatawarin Kita
* Pilipinas
* Pobreng Alindahaw
* Porbida
* Puto Kutsinta
* Rosas Pandan
* Sa Araw ng Pasko (Ikaw Lang ang Siyang Kailangan)
* Sa Bawat Sandali
* Sa Libis ng Nayon
* Saan Ka Man Naroroon
* Salakot
* Salamat sa Alaala
* Sampaguita
* Sana Kahit Minsan (original by Ariel Rivera)
* Sapagkat Ikaw ay Akin
* Sapagkat Kami ay Tao lamang (Because We Are Only Human)
* Sapagkat Malapit na
* Sayaw sa Ilaw
* Sayo sa Kabuntagon
* Sinumpa Ko sa Diyos
* Sumpang Walang Hanggan
* Tama Na
* The Shadow of Your Smile [Live in Toronto]
* Titibok-Tibok
* Together
* Together at Last (duet with Elmo Makil)
* Tugoti Kami
* Tunay na Tunay
* Ulilang Puso
* Walang Kapantay
* When Eyes Are Filled with Tears
* Yesterday I Heard the Rain
* Noche de Ronda
* Vaya con Dios (Farewell)
* Historia de un amor (Story of a Love)
* Abrázame (Embrace Me)
* Obsesión
* Gracias amigo (Thanks my Friend)
* Solamente una vez (Just Once)
* Espérame en el cielo (Wait for Me in Heaven)
* La foto (The Picture)
* Hasta el fin de mi existir (Til the End of My Existence)
* Con estas manos (With These Hands)
* Filipinas
* Tema del padrino (Theme of the Godfather)
* Grande, Grande, Grande
* A flor de piel
* Quisiera saber (I'd Like to Know)
* Desde que tú has ido (Since You've Been Gone)
* Tu sonrisa (Your Smile)
* Concierto de un otoño
* Perfidia
* Aldila
* Angustia
* Río rebelde
* Voy (I Go)
* Amor (Love)
* Waray-Waray
* Nganong Mipakita Ka
* Sayri Ako
* Ngano Ba Gugma
* Ampinging mga Bulak
* Ilingaw-Lingaw Lang
* Mao Ba Kini ang Gugma
* Hain Ka na Pinangga
* Uhaw sa Gugma