Ageless queen
Even now when Ms. Pilita Corrales looks to the horizon of her career, all she sees is dazzling rays of sun
Even now when Ms. Pilita Corrales looks to the horizon of her career, all she sees is dazzling rays of sun
The word “retirement” is not in Pilita Corrales’ vocabulary.
The singer-actress has been in the industry for decades now, that’s true, yet she doesn’t see herself leaving the limelight anytime soon.
According to Pilita, as long as there are people who want to listen to her voice, she will continue performing.
“As long as there are people who come to see my show and as long as the Lord gives me the help that I need, I will continue,” she said.
Though she sometimes finds it hard memorizing lyrics, Pilita maintained singing is about passion and perseverance.
“The passion has to be there always. If you don’t want to sing anymore, you will not be able to perform as you should. It’s also a matter of hard work, if you really love what you do, you always have to find ways,” she said.
At 78, Pilita belts tthose notes like she would in her 20’s. Not to mention that she still does her iconic backward bend during shows.
Asked how she maintains her golden voice, Pilita shared, “I used to smoke but I stopped smoking seven years ago, only because I have an attack of vertigo, which led me to seven days of without moving.”
“I realized when I stopped smoking, I went back to my own key of performing. So there, I think the secret is really to have a healthy lifestyle.”
If there’s anything she wishes to do more, Pilita said it is hosting and judging singing competitions. She was one of the judges on “X-Factor Philippines” in 2012.
Pilita advises the new generation of singers to love their craft and show respect to their audiences.
“If they want to last long as I have lasted, they really have to love their professions. Like I’ve always said, these artists are here because of the public so they have to respect the public,” she said. “They (the audiences) are the ones who buy your album, they are the ones who attend your concert. You owe it to the people who watch you. Sila ang gumawa sa’yo and you should love them, it has to be like that always.”
Family life
For Pilita, a mother’s role never ends. She has two children, Jackielou and Ramon Christopher.
“You know what? Whatever happens to my children, kahit may pamilya na sila, ako pa rin. Sa akin pa rin sila tumatakbo, which I like very much,” she enthused.
The singer is also a loving grandmother to seven children.
Pilita admitted there are times she gets stressed but she deals with it by singing.
“Sometimes I get angry with the children but stress is very bad. Why would I stress myself? So I just sing a song. Of course, I have ups and downs, but I can control myself,” she said.
Look back
Pilita is known for many hits includ- ing “A Million Thanks To You,” “Kapantay Ay Langit,” and “Ang Pipit.” The singer was also the first Filipino to win in an international music festival – the first Tokyo Music Festival in 1972. Prior, however, Pilita’s career began in Melbourne, Australia where she shot to fame between 1959 to 1963. In fact, there’s a street in Melbourne named after her. “I became very very popular there. I have a hit song, I have a TV program three times a week,” she recalled. “I think I became popular there because I could sing Spanish, English, Tagalog and Visaya song. At the time, it’s very expensive to buy gowns but since my mother used to do my gowns… three times a week, I have a new gown.” She reminisced the moments when she did live recording of songs. “I record with 24 musicians and its like, if they do a mistake, we’ll repeat. If I do, repeat again,” she shared. The Asia’s Queen of Songs has hobnobbed with international singer like Frank Sinatra. Who’s her favorite? Sammy Davis, Jr. “Because he also loves Filipinos,” she said. Night with the Queen Bulletin Entertainment caught up with Pilita at the press conference of her concert titled “An Evening With Pilita.” According to a release, the show will profile nuggets of time in Pilita’s life and career. Joining the singer on stage is the AMP Band and the inimitable string section of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra with Mel Villena as musical director. The exceptional combination of musicians will provide the big band sound of the ’50s and ’60s and a taste of the classics. “We want to show a side of Pilita that a lot of the young people have not seen. She is the first Filipino singer to actually showcase the Filipino talent internationally. She is both an icon and a legend,” Carlo Orosa, the show director explained. Pilita, on her part, couldn’t help but get excited over the concert. “This is really a different show because me and my director decided that the concert will be looking back at my journey in show business. I’m excited to reminisce,” she said. “An Evening With Pilita” is on Nov. 17, 8 p.m. at The Theatre at Solaire.
The passion has to be there always. If you don’t want to sing anymore, you will not be able to perform as you should. It’s also a matter of hard work, if you really love what you do, you always have to find ways.