Photo from Ganiel Krishnan, ABS-CBN News

Messages of sympathy continue to pour in for the bereaved family of Asia’s Queen of Songs, Pilita Corrales. 

Family, friends, colleagues in the industry, and longtime fans visited her wake at Heritage Park in Taguig to pay their final respects to the beloved OPM icon, whose music touched generations.

Corrales passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of Saturday, April 12. She was 87. 

According to her children, Ramon Christopher "Monching" Gutierrez and Jackie Lou Blanco, their mother showed no signs of struggle and did not suffer a lingering illness.

"She died in her sleep, actually—which I'm very thankful for. Because hindi na nahirapan. Hindi na na-hospital, hindi siya lingering illness, di ba? So, parang sa akin, okay na 'yun," Blanco said.

The family shared that they opted not to probe on the exact cause of death.

"She's always had a heart problem, I mean, ever since… saka lately 'yung memory, too," Blanco said.

Gutierrez noted, "Health-wise, okay naman siya."

Blanco also added: "But we don't know if she had an attack during her sleep. I mean, I don't know. I mean, and it doesn't matter na naman if that's the ano. Hindi na po namin inalam."

Blanco became emotional as she reflected on her final memories with her mother. 

"Nasabi ko naman siguro sa kanya lahat. Pero just to tell her how much I love her and to thank her for everything," she said. "And to tell her that I will continue to honor her by the way I work, by the way I live, by telling people how wonderful she is. And just to say thank you, thank you so much for bringing up me and Mon in the best way that she could. I will miss her so much. I will miss how wonderful she smelled. She smelled so good, no? She always smelled so good."

The family also extended their heartfelt thanks to those who offered condolences. both in person and online. 

"My phone hasn't stopped. I mean, really, it's... there was even this one gentleman who reached out and said, 'you know, I never met your mom but whenever I watch her, I know that she's such a good person.' The warmth and ganun 'yung parang sabi ko, wow, di ba? That says a lot about my mom. If you haven't, if you haven't met a person and yet you are inspired by that person, that says a lot about that person, di ba? So, yung nanay namin, ano talaga, grabe yung impact niya."

Among those who visited Corrales' wake were longtime fans—including Levy Remetio, who has been a fan since the '60s.

"Naging fan ako noong 1965 to '68, noong kinanta niya 'yung 'A Million Thanks To You,"  said Remetio. 

Fellow artists and personalities in the entertainment and public service sectors also came to pay tribute, including ABS-CBN Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi, Congresswoman Lani Mercado-Revilla, and Senator Grace Poe.

For Blanco and Gutierrez, their mother will forever remain in their hearts—and in the legacy she left behind.

"I would also tell the kids that this is something that you will have to continue. You honor your mamita by doing good, being a good person, being excellent in whatever field of work. Lalo na yung mga anak namin na nasa business. So, regalo yun. At the same time, malaking responsibilidad din. Because we have to honor her by continuing kung ano 'yung mga tinuro niya sa amin."

Corrales' cremated remains will stay at Heritage Park until Wednesday, April 16, before her family takes her home.

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