The Philippine entertainment industry is mourning, as Janine Gutierrez announced on Instagram the passing of her grandmother, the icon and Asia’s Queen of Songs, Pilita Corrales, last April 12, 2025.

Pilita Corrales was in the industry for six decades. She was a singer-songwriter widely known for her signature “liyad” or backbend stunt while singing. Throughout her career, she recorded 135 albums in different languages (mainly English and Filipino, some in Cebuano and Spanish). Her multilingual ability made her shine even more, making her a legend in the music industry. 

But she’s a woman of many talents. Aside from her vocal prowess, she was also known for being a comedian on TV and in film. Her success lasted from the 60s to the present before she passed away at 85.

1957 was the birth of this legend in the industry, as she started her recording career in that year. “Come Closer To Me” was her first hit, which made her one of the “Grand Dames of Victorian Radio and Television.”

In 1963, she returned to Manila, which marked the beginning of her career in the Philippine music industry. She then became the host of La Taverna, a DZPI radio program where she would sing Spanish songs while playing the guitar. Alongside her hosting gig, she regularly performed on stage at the Manila Grand Opera House.

In 1965, she received a 1965 Philippine Citizen’s Award for TV as Best TV Female Performer.

In 1968, she debuted in film with Miss Wawaw in a lead role, followed by 11 more films in two years. While her movie career was on fire, she recorded songs in English, Filipino, Cebuano, and Spanish for Vicor Music Corporation from the 60s to the 70s.

Her multilingual ability shined during her frequent performances for Seeing Stars with Joe Quirino on IBC Channel 13. She then released her most-loved song, “A Million Thanks To You, “ which was translated into seven languages. This iconic song became the OST of her variety show, “An Evening with Pilita.”

George Canseco, the composer of “You’re All I Love,” made Filipino lyrics for the song, making it “Kapantay Ay Langit“ which was later covered by Pilita. Her cover of “Kapantay Ay Langit“ was such a classic and was included in Pilita’s album, Philippine Love Songs Vol. 1, released in the early 70s.

In 1972, she brought honor to the country as the first Filipino to win at an international musical festival. She won the Best Performer Award during the first Tokyo Music Festival.

In the 80s, Pilita Corrales became the first Filipino to ever sing at Caesars Palace, a luxury hotel in Nevada, United States.

In 1990, she received a Merit Award from the Famas Awards. The following year, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Philippine Association of the Record Industry. 

Pilita Corrales continued her career while passing her knowledge in music. She became the judge of the first Philippine Idol and the first Asian Idol held in Indonesia in 2006 and 2007, respectively.

She truly paved the way for a lot of firsts for the Philippines: the first female artist to top the Australian Pop Charts and the first and only Filipino who was able to join The Beatles on stage.

With her great contribution to the music industry, she was conferred with an honorary Doctorate in Music degree by the University of Visayas.

Her legacy remained not just in the Philippines but internationally, as a street in Melbourne, Australia was named after her in recognition of the icon she is.

Pilita Corrales may no longer be with us, but her contribution and legacy will continue to live on.