135 albums. Asia’s Queen of Songs. Filipino icon. There is no question that Pilita Corrales is an institution of the country’s music industry with a legacy spanning decades. She has been a champion of Bisaya music with her renditions of folk songs “Usahay” and “Matud Nila” instantly recognizable for different generations of the Filipino diaspora.
It is with no question that she deserves to be honored with the highest recognitions. For those reasons, Billboard Philippines is proud to announce that we have chosen Pilita Corrales to be the inaugural honoree of the Billboard Philippines Women in Music Icon Award.
Her career kicked off in Australia in 1958 when her song “Come Closer To Me” topped the Australian pop music charts. She released a slew of hit albums while in the country, like Pilita with Arthur Young: Pilita Tells the Story of Love, I’ll Take Romance and This Is Pilita. Upon her return to the Philippines in the ’60s, she performed on the silver screen, theaters, radio and recorded a number of albums and compilations. She worked with the likes of the National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, Danny Holmsen, George Canseco, Willy Cruz, and more.
Corrales has become synonymous with songs that have become the soundtrack of Filipino culture. Think of just a few: “A Million Thanks To You,” “Dahil Sa’yo,” (Because Of You) “Saan Ka Man Naroroon,” (Wherever You Are) or “Kapantay Ang Langit” (roughly translated as “The Sky’s The Limit For My Love For You”).
The Icon award is bestowed to a Filipina artist who has made exceptional achievements and momentous contributions in the music industry, leaving an indelible mark on Filipino culture as a whole. Who else fits the bill except for the one and only Asia’s Queen of Songs?
Pilita Corrales will be honored at the first-ever Billboard Philippines Women in Music Awards this March 22 alongside Ena Mori, Moira dela Torre, and more. Follow Billboard Philippines on social media for more updates on the rest of this year’s awardees.