Pilar Garrido Corrales (born August 22, 1937) is a Filipino pop singer, songwriter, actress, comedian and television presenter. She is dubbed as "Asia's Queen of Songs" and is widely known for her rendition of "Kapantay ay Langit" which eventually became her

signature song A signature (; from la, signare, "to sign") is a handwritten (and often stylized) depiction of someone's name, nickname, or even a simple "X" or other mark that a person writes on documents as a proof of identity and intent. The writer of a ...

. Corrales was among the most successful Filipino musical artists in the 1960s. She was one of the first female artists to reach number one on the Australian music chart with her 1959 single " Come Closer to Me." 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 became a judge on the first season of ''

The X Factor Philippines ''The X Factor Philippines'' is a Philippine reality music competition, adapted from the original UK series as part of ''The X Factor'' franchise, to find new singing talent in the Philippines. The show was hosted by KC Concepcion while the ju ...

'', which began airing in 2012.

Biography

Early life

Pilar Garrido Corrales was born on August 22, 1937, 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 A finishing school focuses on teaching young women social graces and upper-class cultural rites as a preparation for entry into society. The name reflects that it follows on from ordinary school and is intended to complete the education, wi ...

(charm school) in Spain at the Colegio Mayor de Padre Poveda.p

Career

In 1957, Corrales began her recording career after arriving in Australia for a brief period. She left her legacy by becoming the first woman to make the Australian pop charts with a local recording called "Come Closer to Me". She became a star of the

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...

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". Corrales was among the first female artists to top the Australian pop music charts. 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 The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is the national broadcaster of Australia. It is principally funded by direct grants from the Australian Government and is administered by a government-appointed board. The ABC is a publicly-owne ...

(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 Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populated ...

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 The Manila Grand Opera House ( Filipino: ''Marangal na Bahay-Opera ng Maynila'', abbreviated MGOH) was a theater and opera house located in the district of Santa Cruz in Manila on the intersection of Rizal Avenue and Doroteo Jose Street. It was ...

. Subsequently, her reputation grew and during her international stints, she has performed with internationally acclaimed artists like Sammy Davis Jr.,

the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...

and on July 4, 1966,

Bob Hope Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was a British-American comedian, vaudevillian, actor, singer and dancer. With a career that spanned nearly 80 years, Hope appeared in more than 70 short and feature films, with ...

Pat Boone Patrick Charles Eugene Boone (born June 1, 1934) is an American singer and actor. He was a successful pop singer in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. He sold more than 45 million records, had 38 Top 40 hits, and appeared in mo ...

Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Nicknamed the " Chairman of the Board" and later called "Ol' Blue Eyes", Sinatra was one of the most popular entertainers of the 1940s, 1950s, and ...

and

Julie Andrews Dame Julie Andrews (born Julia Elizabeth Wells; 1 October 1935) is an English actress, singer, and author. She has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career spanning over seven decades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy F ...

. 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 Tagalog may refer to: Language * Tagalog language, a language spoken in the Philippines ** Old Tagalog, an archaic form of the language ** Batangas Tagalog, a dialect of the language * Tagalog script, the writing system historically used for Taga ...

and Cebuano during the 1970s under Vicor Music Corporation. Her multi-awarded TV program at

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Philippine commercial broadcast network that serves as the flagship property of ABS-CBN Corporation, a company unde ...

, ''An Evening with Pilita'' (1965–1972), is widely considered as one of the benchmarks in Philippine broadcasting history. 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

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 George Masangkay Canseco (April 23, 1934 – November 19, 2004) was a Filipino composer and former politician. He composed numerous popular Filipino songs. Early years Canseco studied and graduated with a Liberal Arts degree at University of ...

, Willy Cruz,

Ryan Cayabyab Raymundo Cipriano Pujante Cayabyab (born ; May 4, 1954), known professionally as Ryan Cayabyab, is a Filipino musician, composer and conductor. He was the Executive and Artistic Director for several years for the defunct San Miguel Foundation ...

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

) 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

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 The ''Philippine Daily Inquirer'' (''PDI''), or simply the ''Inquirer'', is an English-language newspaper in the Philippines. Founded in 1985, it is often regarded as the Philippines' newspaper of record. The newspaper is the most awarded br ...

. 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 in

Caesars Palace Caesars Palace is a luxury hotel and casino in Paradise, Nevada, United States. The hotel is situated on the west side of the Las Vegas Strip between Bellagio and The Mirage. It is one of Las Vegas's largest and best known landmarks. Caesar ...

. In her concert in Caesars Palace,

Las Vegas Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Veg ...

during the late '70s, Corrales sang Spanish, English, Cebuano and

songs, all conducted and arranged by

. 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 The Tokyo Music Festival was an international music contest that ran from 1972 to 1992. It was organized by the Tokyo Music Festival Association. The first edition of the Tokyo Music Festival took place on 13 May 1972 with 12 participating countri ...

(1972) where she bested numerous international artists, including

Olivia Newton-John Dame Olivia Newton-John (26 September 1948 – 8 August 2022) was a British-Australian singer, actress and activist. She was a four-time Grammy Awards, Grammy Award winner whose music career included 15 top-ten singles, including 5 number-one s ...

. She operates a restaurant bar in Greenhills named: PILITA'S, in one of Manila's prime commercial districts. She is a highly acclaimed host and comedy actress on Philippine television with over 135 albums to her credit and an international profile and appearances in Asia, the Middle East, Australia and North America. In 2006, Corrales was selected by

Associated Broadcasting Company TV5 Network Inc., commonly known as TV5, is a Philippine media company based in Mandaluyong, with its alternate studios located in Novaliches, Quezon City. It is primarily involved in radio and television broadcasting, with subsidiaries and ...

(ABC Channel 5, now TV5, formerly The 5 Network) and

FremantleMedia Fremantle (; formerly FremantleMedia) is a British multinational television production and distribution company based in London. Fremantle takes its name from Fremantle International, acquired by predecessor company All American Television i ...

to be one of the celebrity judges for the first-ever nationwide search for the ''

Philippine Idol ''Philippine Idol'' is the first version of the Idol series in the Philippines, the 35th country in the world to air a local ''Idol'' adaptation and the sixth in Asia broadcast by ABC (now TV5). Similar to the premise of original show '' Pop ...

'' together with composer Ryan Cayabyab and rapper

Francis Magalona Francis Michael Durango Magalona (October 4, 1964 – March 6, 2009), also known by the moniker Francis M, was a Filipino rapper, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, actor, and television personality. Born in Manila, He became a significant influ ...

. She was a judge in the first '' Asian Idol'' held in Indonesia, representing ''Philippine Idol''.

Personal life

Corrales has two children,

Jackielou Blanco Jacqueline Lourdes Blanco-Davao (born February 11, 1964) is a Filipina actress and aerobic instructor. During the 1980s and the 1990s, she appeared in different film genres including ''Hihintayin Kita sa Langit'', (1991), ''Si Aida, Si Lorna, o ...

and Ramon Christopher Gutierrez. Her children are also well-known celebrities in the Philippine film industry. Corrales was married in 1963 to the late 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 Janine Marie Elizabeth de Leon Gutierrez (born October 2, 1989) known professionally as Janine Gutierrez, is a Filipino actress, television host, commercial model, and singer. A graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in Eu ...

. 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

Film

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'' *''Pilita, Live at the Riviera Vol. 2'' *''Pilita, Live at the Riviera Vol. 3'' *''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 PolyEast Records (formerly Canary Records, OctoArts International, OctoArts EMI Music Inc. and EMI Philippines) is a record label in the Philippines. It is a member of the Philippine Association of the Record Industry and from 2008 until 2013, ...

, 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) *''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; 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 ''Maalaala Mo Kaya'' (; formerly written as ''Maala-ala Mo Kaya...''; abbreviated as ''MMK''), also known as ''Memories'', is a Philippine television drama anthology show broadcast by Kapamilya Channel under ABS-CBN Entertainment. Hosted by C ...

* 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 * 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 ive 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 "You Belong to My Heart" is the name of an English-language version of the Mexican Bolero song "Solamente una vez" (''Only Once'', in English). This song was composed by Mexican songwriter Agustín Lara and originally performed by singer Ana Marí ...

(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

References

External links

Astor Records, Australia

imdg.com

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. {{DEFAULTSORT:Corrales, Pilita 1939 births Living people Actresses from Cebu Cebuano people Filipino women pop singers Filipino women comedians Filipino expatriates in Australia Filipino expatriates in Spain 20th-century Filipino women singers Filipino film actresses Filipino people of Spanish descent Filipino television actresses Filipino television personalities Filipino songwriters Singers from Cebu City People from Sampaloc, Manila Vicor Music artists ABS-CBN personalities GMA Network personalities