Pilar "Pilita" Garrido Corrales (August 22, 1939 – April 12, 2025) was a Filipino singer, actress and comedian. She was known for her distinctive backbend when singing and was popularly referred to as the "Greatest singer in the Philippines" and "Asia's Queen of Songs" for her vocal style and longevity.

Corrales recorded 135 albums throughout her six-decade career. Her recordings were mainly in English and Filipino, while on occasion she recorded songs in Spanish and Cebuano. "A Million Thanks to You" and other signature hits by Corrales, including "Kapantay ay Langit", have since become standards. She was 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.

Early life

Pilar Corrales was born in Lahug, Cebu City on August 22, 1939, to José Corrales de Zaragoza and María Garrido Manzano. The second of six siblings, in Cebu City. Her father José Corrales is a Spanish mestizo from Ermita, Manila and her mother Maria Garrido is a Spanish immigrant from Granada.

Her cousin, Annie Corrales, was Miss Philippines in 1957 and married businessman Eddie Woolbright. After completing her studies at Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción in Cebu, she began attending Colegio Mayor de Padre Poveda, a finishing school in Spain, in 1955, one of the first Cebuanas to do so. She returned to the Philippines following her father's death from a heart attack in 1956.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 was 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 (1959), Being one of the pioneers of Australia's early television years, a street was named after her in Victoria

Corrales appeared in movies, most of them musicals. Her film debut was a lead role in the 1967 film Miss Wawaw

Aquarius Records Philippines produced a compilation of Pilita's Spanish songs on CDs like Noche de Ronda and 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.

Corrales frequently performed for Seeing Stars with Joe Quirino on IBC-Channel 13 after the martial law years (1972–1981), where she demonstrated her range as a performer of Spanish, English, Cebuano and Tagalog music.

Through the personal invitation of Sammy Davis Jr., Corrales became the first Filipino to sing at Caesars Palace in the late 1970s, during which she sang Spanish, English, Cebuano, and Tagalog songs, all conducted and arranged by Ryan Cayabyab.

By 2006, she operated a restaurant bar in Greenhills named Pilita's.

In 2006, Corrales was selected by Associated Broadcasting Company (now TV5 Network) and FremantleMedia to be one of the celebrity judges for the first-ever nationwide search for the Philippine Idol together with Ryan Cayabyab and rapper Francis Magalona. She was a judge in the first Asian Idol held in Indonesia, representing Philippine Idol.

Personal life and death

Corrales had two children, Jackie Lou Blanco and Ramón Christopher. Corrales was married in 1963 to the Spanish executive businessman Jose Blanco and separated while Jackie Lou was still a child. Jose died in 1979. In September 2001, Corrales married Paraguayan/Australian businessman Carlos López. On May 4, Corrales was posthumously conferred with the Presidential Medal of Merit from President Bongbong Marcos for her services to the arts.

Filmography

Film

{|class="wikitable"

|-

! Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

!Ref

|-

| N/A || Port of Escape || || Shot in 1960; unfinished

|

|-

|1967

|Miss Wawaw

|

|Directed by Efren Reyes

|

|-

|2013–2016

|Vampire Ang Daddy Ko

|Sonya Ventura

|

|-

|February 28, 2015

|Maynila: YOLO si LOLA

|

|

|-

|February 25, 2016

|Eat Bulaga!: Just Duet

|Performer

|

|-

|March 12, 2016

|Maynila: My Classmate

|

|

|-

|September 11, 2016

|Hay, Bahay!

|Amelia

|

|-

|2018

|Sana Dalawa ang Puso

|Leonora Chavez (guest cast)

|

|-

|2019, 2023

|Bravo Executive Lounge

|Guest Performer

|

|-

|2020

|Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 4

|Judge

|

|-

|2020–2021

|Kesayasaya

|Mommy G

|

|}

Discography

Albums

Australia

  • Come Closer to Me
  • Pilita with Arthur Young: I'll Take Romance (1960, Astor Records)
  • 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)<!-- December, according to Billboard magazine's December 18, 1971 issue) -->
  • Pilita in Tokyo (1972)
  • Filipiniana (1972, Vicor)<!-- July, according to Billboard magazine's July 8, 1972 issue -->
  • 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"
  • "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"
  • "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)
  • "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"
  • "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"
  • "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"
  • "Historia de un amor"
  • "Abrázame"
  • "Obsesión"
  • "Gracias amigo"
  • "Solamente una vez"
  • "Espérame en el cielo"
  • "La foto"
  • "Hasta el fin de mi existir"
  • "Con estas manos"
  • "Filipinas"
  • "Tema del padrino"
  • "Grande, grande, grande"
  • "A flor de piel"
  • "Quisiera saber"
  • "Desde que tú has ido"
  • "Tu sonrisa"
  • "Concierto de un otoño"
  • "Perfidia"
  • "Aldila"
  • "Angustia"
  • "Río rebelde"
  • "Voy"
  • "Amor"
  • "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"

Awards and honors

  • 1965 Philippine Citizen's Award for TV as Best TV Female Performer
  • Best Singer Award, 1973 Tokyo Music Festival
  • Honorary Doctorate in Music degree, the University of the Visayas, for her contribution to the Philippine music industry
  • Awit Award, PARI
  • Presidential Medal of Merit, posthumously awarded in 2025

References

  • Astor Records, Australia
  • She's leaving home (Love is in the air, ABC TV-Australia)
  • Vicor Music Corporation
  • Even Canseco was rejected, Pilita remembers by Nini Valera
  • Kinks sa'PI' auditions, areglado na
  • Beyond Birit
  • RP Idol's First Yield
  • Toronto Canada Pilita Corrales Special International Guest 2011 & 2014 Hosted by Radio & Television Producer Joel Recla.