‘As we in the Pinoy Playlist Music Festival believe, we have lost a true legend – a voice, a soul, a spirit that moved generations.’
In December 2022, right after the pandemic, we at the Pinoy Playlist Music Festival honored Tita Pilita Corrales with the Ryan Cayabyab Music Excellence Award along with Jose Mari Chan, Babsie Molina and Jonathan Velasco.
Part of the citation for her read, “Pilar ‘Pilita’ Garrido Corrales is a pop singer, songwriter, actress, comedian, television performer and product endorser.
“She began her recording career in 1958 and became the first woman to make the Australian pop charts with a local recording of ‘Come Closer to Me.’
“She has already performed with international artists like The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Julie Andrews, Sammy Davis Jr, Ray Charles, Bob Hope and Julio Iglesias. Her signature song ‘A Million Thanks to You’ by Alice Doria Camilla and Luis Ma. Trinidad was translated in seven languages.
“Because of her multiple recognitions and her hit songs in different languages, she is dubbed as ‘Asia’s Queen of Songs’.”
After learning about the news on Tita Pilita’s passing, National Artist Ryan Cayabyab recalled that they traveled a lot. He was her pianist, music director in Europe, US and Australia from ‘70s-‘80s. Very memorable was their Ceasar’s Palace gig in 1980. She was the guest performer of Sammy Davis Jr. and Mr. C conducted the Ceasar’s Palace orchestra for her portion.
Tita Pilita also did a solo guest stint on “Ryan, Ryan Musikahan” in 1994; and the original “Philippine Idol” in 2006-2007 was their last television gig together along with Francis Magalona and host Ryan Agoncillo.
Aside from the ones printed on yesterday’s edition, the most significant tributes on Tita Pilita posted were from Lotlot de Leon, Jaya and Gary Valenciano.
Lotlot, the ex-wife of Tita Pilita’s son Ramon Christopher Gutierrez said, “She loved her family like there’s no tomorrow. She would move heaven and earth just for them, for Ate Jacqui, for VJ, for Mon and most definitely for her grandchildren.
“She’s the kind of grandmother anyone would wish for. And I know that if she can just give and gift her family with so much more, she would. Everything that belonged to her in a heartbeat she would pass on to those who are precious to her. Her family was her number one.
“My children are very blessed to have and received that kind of love.
“For that I am truly, truly grateful.
“Rest in paradise, Mamita.
“A million thanks to you.”
Jaya, who was Tita Pilita’s protege and major talent (daughter of her performing partner Elizabeth Ramsey) said, “Mamita, my life’s trajectory changed when you brought me back to Manila. You were the only one who filled that hope in my heart that I lost for so many years. You believed in me when everyone else doubted. You helped me at my lowest. You gave without asking for anything in return. Your love, generosity & sincerity is incomparable. You showed me love that was like no other. You were Mamita to all of us but when it was just you and me, we were friends that talked and laughed till the wee hours. Thank you for trusting me with your life stories and endless advice. I’m truly grateful and honoured that I got to share part of my life with an icon, legendary artist and a national treasure. Living with you, sharing the stages, and just being with you were some of the greatest and happiest moments of my life. Maraming, maraming, maraming salamat po Mamita sa lahat. Now rest with our loving Father in heaven. Salamat, salamat salamat. I love you.“
Gary Valenciano, for his part, traced his career beginnings with Tita Pilita and said, “I’ve heard her share stories of music, of life and of love. A movie should be made on this incredible eventful story of this queen. The story of many of our lives in the music industry would not be complete without her.
“She was a benefactor of Kundirana of La Salle Greenhills which was where I started. My very first TV appearance was on her show ‘Pilita and Jackie’ with the Kundirana and as a soloisf a little later on. I had the privilege of working with her in a movie ‘Di Bale Na Lang’; and as a judge and mentor for ‘X Factor Philippines.’ I’ve had the honor of guiding her as we performed together on her last appearance on ‘ASAP’.
“A special part of my history seemed to have passed away with her.
“I will miss talking, singing and laughing with you my dearest Tita Pilita. You have long deserved to be a National Artist. From the bottom of this broken heart I say thank you for believing in me and the gift of music that I’ve humbly been blessed with. I love you.”
Before her death, special projects were being planned to honor Tita Pilita. First, a book project is in the works and on top of it is Tita Conchita Razon (Martin Nievera’s mom and Tita Pilita’s first cousin) who was the writer of “An Evening With Pilita.” Second, “Pilita, The Musical.” Stages with Audie Gemora and Carlo Orosa have started the research on this project that fell through, until Floy Quintos and National Artist Ryan Cayabyab took on the project under Susan Lim and Nancy Yang. When Floy passed away, the project was halted. Third, there was a concert that Direk Rowell Santiago, Saripaz Villar (of Villar records which had the first Pilita music catalog) and myself have been planning for a major concert tribute in honor of Tita Pilita, which should have starred her favorite singers, including Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez and Dulce. Artists schedule was much of a challenge but we hope to be able to mount all these efforts to continue honoring Tita Pilita.
Moreover, we are hoping that Tita Pilita will be considered for the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining and National Artist honors in the next awards cycle.
In the meantime, we are looking forward to the documentary on Tita Pilita that the group of Babyruth Villarama and Chuck Guttierez are working on, produced by Janine Gutierrez.
As we in the Pinoy Playlist Music Festival believe, we have lost a true legend – a voice, a soul, a spirit that moved generations. Her music will echo forever, etched in our hearts and in the history of Philippine music. Thank you, Tita Pilita. We hope to continue honoring you in everything that we do.
