On Saturday, April 12, 2025, sensational global and OPM singer, all-around entertainer, and cultural icon Pilita Corrales has passed away. She was 87.  

As we bid farewell to one of the legendary artists the Philippine entertainment industry has ever had, who has been famous for her iconic backbend, dulcet voice, and distinctive singing style, let us pay tribute to her by looking back on her prolific and awe-inspiring career that spanned seven decades in this special feature.  

Born Pilar Garrido Corrales on August 22, 1939, in Lahug, Cebu City, Pilita started her recording career in Australia in her teenage years, where she stayed for quite some time and became one of the pioneers of its early television years. Due to her valuable contribution to their entertainment industry, not to mention being among the first female artists to reach the top of the Australian pop charts through her song “Come Closer To Me” released in 1958, she was hailed as one of the “Grand Dames of Victorian Radio and Television”. Besides, a street in Melbourne was even named after her.

Despite her tremendous success in Land Down Under, she returned to the Philippines in the 1960s to pursue her career in the local music scene. She performed in a string of TV, radio, and stage shows, which included “An Evening with Pilita,” the flagship musical variety program of ABS-CBN during the pre-Martial Law days that ran from 1964 to 1972. She then joined the inaugural Tokyo Music Festival in 1972, in which she bested numerous international artists and was the first-ever Filipino to win, as well as earned the title “Asia’s Queen of Songs.” 

Pilita recorded songs in English, Filipino, Spanish, and Cebuano, including her memorable and signature hits “Kapantay ay Langit,” “Usahay,” “A Million Thanks To You,” “Matud Nila,” and “Rosas Pandan.” Furthermore, she has over 135 albums under her belt, which comprise songs in kundiman, pop, jazz, and Latin-infused styles. Aside from the Philippines and Australia, she also got to showcase her formidable musical talents in some parts of Asia, Middle East, and North America through her live shows. 

After her very own show wrapped up, the OPM legend went on to appear in a slew of TV programs and films. Her first appearance on ABS-CBN after more than a decade was in the musical variety show “Ryan Ryan Musikahan,” in which she had performances alongside its host, National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab. It was followed by acting stints in the “Cindy-rella” book of the fantasy-romance anthology “Love Spell Presents” in 2007 and in the weekly sitcom “Toda Max.”  

In 2012, Pilita served as one of the judges and mentors of the reality singing competition “The X Factor Philippines,” alongside Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, and Jake Zyrus.  

Six years later, she had another acting stint via the daytime series “Sana Dalawa Ang Puso,” wherein she was cast as Leonora “Mommy La” Chavez, the kindhearted employer of Jodi Sta. Maria’s character, Mona Bulalayao.

She then had a brief stint in “It’s Showtime” when she was tapped to be one of the hurados of “Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 4” in 2020.

She also had unforgettable appearances in other shows of ABS-CBN Studios, through which she didn’t only get to display her singing prowess but also her other facets that we do not see often.  

Pilita exhibited her comedic and cheerful side during her guestings in “Gandang Gabi Vice” through her playful banters with Unkabogable Star Vice Ganda. In one of her appearances, she imparted the story behind her title, “Asia’s Queen of Songs,” and the reason why she has to do her trademark backbend every time she performs.

She also had a couple of guestings in “Magandang Buhay,” through which we were able to know her more on a personal level as she fondly talked about her facet as a mom, a grandma, and a wife, as well as in “Tonight With Boy Abunda,” where she enthusiastically took on the exciting “Fast Talk”.

Apparently, her latest appearance in a Kapamilya TV program was in “ASAP” in 2022, where she was given a majestic tribute fit for a queen like her, as she celebrated her birthday. Aside from being serenaded by world-class ASAP singers who sang a few of her hits throughout her decades-long career, she also received touching messages from her beloved grandchildren.

Our Asia’s Queen of Songs, you may now be resting in peace, but your music, legacy, memories, and influence will definitely continue to live on. Thank you, farewell, and you will be missed, Pilita.