# Imelda Papin

Imelda Arcilla Papin (born January 26, 1956) is a Filipino singer and politician. Dubbed as the "Sentimental Songstress," Papin sang songs such as "Bakit (Kung Liligaya Ka sa Piling ng Iba)" and "Isang Linggong Pag-ibig." She was married to Filipino politician Jose Antonio Carrion.

## Early life

Papin was born on January 26, 1956, in Presentacion, Camarines Sur. She started her career in a remote fishing village in the province. Aspiring to become a singer, she participated in several regional singing contests before moving to Manila to pursue her career further. She attended Bitaogan Elementary School, St. Brigitte School in Buhi, Municipality of Camarines Sur, the University of the East, and the University of Hawaii, where she received a BS in Commerce with a major in management.

## Music career

Papin recorded her second album, Kutob (1978), which included the song "Bakit" that gained popularity on local radio stations. Continuing with her music career, she recorded additional singles that reached the top of the charts.
Papin relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she became a regular performer. She was the first Filipino artist to host a three-hour telethon on Channel 18 in Los Angeles, California. Currently, she hosts a television program on LA-18 called Imelda Papin in America as well as a radio program called the Imelda Papin Voice of the Heart Radio Show on KLAV at 12:30 AM in Las Vegas.

## Political career

In 1995, she ran for Governor of Camarines Sur, but lost to Luis Villafuerte. In 1998, she was elected to the position of Vice Governor, which she held for two terms. In 2004, she ran as congresswoman in the province's fourth congressional district but lost to Representative Felix Alfelor Jr., the incumbent at the time. In 2010, she ran for the Senate under Bangon Pilipinas, but lost.
In 2013, the Commission on Elections disqualified her from running as congresswoman in the lone district of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan due to lack of residency, but reversed its decision on April 25. She went on to lose the election to Representative Arthur Robes, the incumbent at the time. In 2016, she ran again for congresswoman in Camarines Sur's fourth district, but lost to Representative Arnulfo Fuentebella. In 2019, she returned to politics when she ran for Vice Governor as running mate of Governor Migz Villafuerte defeating board member Russel Bañes under PDP–Laban. In 2022, she ran for Governor of Camarines Sur for the second time, but lost to Luigi Villafuerte.
In 2024, Papin was appointed by President Bongbong Marcos as an acting member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

## Personal life

Papin was married to former Marinduque Governor Jose Antonio Carrion, and had a daughter, Maria France Imelda Carrion. Maria France earned a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and became a paralegal.

## Discography
### Albums
#### Studio albums

* Imelda (Wonderland Records, 1978)
* Kutob (Wonderland Records, 1978)
* I Love You, Imelda (Wonderland Records, 1979)
* Imelda Papin (Sunshine, 1980)
* Mel (Sunshine, 1980)
* Christmas with Imelda Papin (Sunshine, 1980)
* Love Is... (Alpha Records, 1983)
* Songs & Emotions (Emerald Records, 1984)
* The Woman, The Singer (Emerald Records, 1986)
* Buhay at Pag-ibig ni Imelda Papin (Alpha Records, 1992)
* Bakit Ikaw Pa? (Alpha Records, 1994)
* Dahil Minamahal Kita (D'Concorde, 1999)
* Phenomenal Hits of Imelda Papin Vol. 1 (D'Concorde, 1999)
* Phenomenal Hits of Imelda Papin Vol. 2 (D'Concorde, 1999)
* Nag-iisang Imelda (Galaxy Records/Universal Records, 2001)
* Iba Ka Sa Lahat (Universal Records, 2004)
* Voice of the Heart (618 International, 2008)
* Merry Christmas Mahal Ko (618 International, 2008)
* I Love You (Viva Records/618 International, 2009)
* Bakit? (Universal Records/618 International, 2010)

#### Compilation albums

* Imelda's Favorite Hits (Wonderland Records, 1980)
* Imelda's Greatest Hits (Sunshine, 1981)
* Sabik (Vicor Music, 1994)
* Golden Collection Series: The Best of Imelda Papin (Alpha Records, 2001)
* Once Again... with Didith Reyes, Geraldine and Imelda Papin Vol. 4 (with Didith Reyes & Geraldine) (Vicor Music, 2003)
* Puso Sa Puso (Sunshine/Vicor Music, 2005)
* Greatest Hits (Alpha Music, 2009)

#### Collaboration albums

* Jukebox King & Queen (with Victor Wood) (D'Concorde, 1999)

### Singles

* "Ako Ba o Siya"
* "Ako Nga Ba Ito"
* "Bakit?" (1978, re-recorded as "Bakit? (Kung Liligaya Ka sa Piling ng Iba)" in 2001)
* "Bakit Ikaw Pa?" (originally by Geraldine) (1994)
* "Bakit Kaya"
* "Bakit Mo Pa Inibig"
* "Bawal"
* "Di Totoo"
* "Dinggin"
* "Habang May Panahon"
* "Hinanakit"
* "Hindi Ko Kaya" (originally by Richard Reynoso)
* "Hindi Maiiwanan"
* "Iniibig Ko ang Iniibig Mo" (originally by Luz Loreto and then by Mimi Baylon) (1992)
* "Isang Linggong Pag-ibig" (Isang Linggong Pag-ibig movie theme song) (1993)
* "Kailangan Ko"
* "Kaligayahan Mo'y, Kaligayahan Ko Rin" (1983)
* "Kapiling Mo, Kasuyo Ko"
* "Katarungan"
* "Masakit"
* "Minsan" (originally by Bert Dominic)
* "Pinag-isa ng Diyos"
* "Pinaglaruan"
* "Sabik" (1981)
* "Sayang Na Sayang"
* "Taksil"
* "The Winner Takes It All" (originally by ABBA)
* "Titig Mo" (1999)
* "Titigan Mo Ako" (originally by Baby Shake Rico) (2010)
* "Tukso Ka Ba?" (D' Originals theme song) (2017)
* "Umaga Na Wala Ka Pa" (originally by Eva Eugenio) (1999)
* "We Could Have It All" (originally by Maureen McGovern)