Flonique Guimary

OPM icons pay tribute to late Pilita Corrales

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>Original Pilipino Music (OPM) artists and legends took to social media to honor the late Asia’s Queen of Songs, Pilita Corrales, who passed away last Saturday, April 12, at the age of 87. Her death was confirmed by her granddaughter, Kapamilya actress Janine Gutierrez.</p><div> </div><p>National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab recalled his time working with Pilita as her pianist and musical director in international shows during the 1970s and 1980s.</p><div> </div><p>“We traveled a lot. (I was her @pianist/music director)- Europe, US, Australia from 70s-80s; very memorable was our Ceasar’s Palace gig (1980),” Maestro Ryan said.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIV20kyzuzA/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A578565.799999997%2C%22ls%22%3A578121.400000006%2C%22le%22%3A578544.599999994%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="837" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>He shared that Pilita performed alongside international artists, including a special stint with Sammy Davis Jr., and was a guest performer at his events.</p><div> </div><p>“She was guest performer of Sammy Davis Jr. , i conducted the Ceasar’s Palace orchestra for her portion. She did a solo guest stint on <em>Ryan, Ryan Musikahan </em>in 1994. <em>Philippine Idol</em> 2006-2007 was our last TV gig together,” he recalled.</p><div> </div><p>“Maraming Salamat Tita Pilits! Godspeed. ♥️🙏🏼,” Ryan continued.</p><div> </div><p>Singer-songwriter and <em>It’s Showtime </em>host Ogie Alcasid expressed deep gratitude for Pilita’s contributions to the industry.</p><div> </div><p>“We lost a national treasure. We send our prayers and our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of Mamita. Ty so much for your kindness, your generosity and your heavenly voice. ❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🎤🎤🎤🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭,” he wrote in a post on Instagram.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIVqvtpSIU0/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A578578.200000003%2C%22ls%22%3A578121.400000006%2C%22le%22%3A578544.599999994%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="980" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Philippine Concert King Martin Nievera also paid tribute, thanking Pilita for giving him his “first pair of wings.”</p><div> </div><p>“Thank you for giving me my first pair of wings. Because of you I could fly into my dreams . Now I ask the entire Showbiz industry to bend the &#x27;Pilita bend&#x27; with me in honor of a legend; an icon,” Martin stated.</p><div><br/></div><p>He went on: “We love you and honor you this day as we remember you and let your spirit live through all our good works from this day forward. A million thanks to you, tita mamita, Pilita Corrales! I will never forget this, our last duet . 🙏❤️”</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIVh68qz5ja/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A578587.099999994%2C%22ls%22%3A578121.400000006%2C%22le%22%3A578544.599999994%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1041" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>Singer and performer Gary Valenciano shared that Pilita’s remarkable life and career deserve to be told on the big screen.</p><div> </div><p>“I’ve heard her share her stories of music, of life, and of love. A movie should be made on the incredible eventful story of this queen. The story of many of our lives in the music industry would not be complete without her,” he expressed.</p><div> </div><p>He revealed that Pilita supported Kundirana, the high school music ministry from La Salle Green Hills where he started his career.</p><div> </div><p>“She was a benefactor of the KUNDIRANA of La Salle Greenhills which is where I started. My first TV appearance was on her show <em>Pilita and Jackie</em> with the Kundirana and then as a soloist a little later on. I’ve had the privilege of working with her in the movie <em>Di Bale Na Lang;</em> as judge and mentor for <em>X Factor Philippines</em>,” Gary recalled.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIVyp_lTY2W/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIVyp_lTY2W/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:40px;margin-right:14px;width:40px"><br/></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:100px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:60px"><br/></div></div></div><div style="padding:19% 0"><br/></div><div style="display:block;height:50px;margin:0 auto 12px;width:50px"><br/></div><div style="padding-top:8px"><div style="color:#3897f0;line-height:18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding:12.5% 0"><br/></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin-bottom:14px;align-items:center"><div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"><br/></div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"><div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"><br/></div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"><br/></div></div></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"><br/></div></div></a><div style="color:#c9c8cd;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIVyp_lTY2W/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Gary Valenciano (@garyvalenciano)</a></div></div></blockquote><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>The ASAP mainstay also recalled their final performance together on the Kapamilya variety show.</p><div> </div><p>“A special part of my history seems to have passed away with her 😢,” he expressed. “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 🥺💔🙏🏼.”</p><div> </div><p>Another ASAP mainstay Zsa Zsa Padilla penned a heartfelt message, saying goodbye to her idol and inspiration.</p><div> </div><p>“It’s hard to imagine a world without you. I can still vividly hear your voice, see your beautiful face, and feel your warmth, charm, and unmatched humor. You were truly one of a kind,” Zsazsa expressed.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIVUNAZS4Lt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIVUNAZS4Lt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:40px;margin-right:14px;width:40px"><br/></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:100px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:60px"><br/></div></div></div><div style="padding:19% 0"><br/></div><div style="display:block;height:50px;margin:0 auto 12px;width:50px"><br/></div><div style="padding-top:8px"><div style="color:#3897f0;line-height:18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding:12.5% 0"><br/></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin-bottom:14px;align-items:center"><div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"><br/></div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"><div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"><br/></div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"><br/></div></div></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"><br/></div></div></a><div style="color:#c9c8cd;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIVUNAZS4Lt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Zsa Zsa Padilla (@zsazsapadilla)</a></div></div></blockquote><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>She then wrote her final goodbye to her idol and inspiration as she extended her sympathies to Pilita’s bereaved family.</p><div> </div><p>“I will forever treasure the advice you’ve shared with me. And with great sadness, I say goodbye… to my idol, my inspiration. Thank you for your greatness. Thank you for your songs, which will forever live in my heart. Maraming salamat. I love you, Tita. My deepest condolences to your family. With love and endless admiration, ZZP.”</p><div> </div><p>OPM singer Jaya shared how Pilita played a pivotal role in her return to the music scene in Manila.</p><div> </div><p>“Mamita...My life&#x27;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,” she said.</p><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/4/12/celebrating-pilita-corrales-the-milestones-of-asia-s-queen-of-songs-1641" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Celebrating Pilita Corrales: The milestones of Asia’s Queen of Songs</strong></a></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Jaya also noted the love and support Pilita gave to her and other artists.</p><div> </div><p>Being one of her mentors in the industry, Jaya said, “Thank you for trusting me with your life stories and endless advice. I&#x27;m truly grateful and honored that I got to share part of my life with an icon, legendary artist and a national treasure.”</p><div> </div><p>“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 💔,” she stated.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIW1BR6vt2O/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIW1BR6vt2O/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:40px;margin-right:14px;width:40px"><br/></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:100px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:60px"><br/></div></div></div><div style="padding:19% 0"><br/></div><div style="display:block;height:50px;margin:0 auto 12px;width:50px"><br/></div><div style="padding-top:8px"><div style="color:#3897f0;line-height:18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding:12.5% 0"><br/></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin-bottom:14px;align-items:center"><div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"><br/></div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"><div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"><br/></div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"><br/></div></div></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"><br/></div></div></a><div style="color:#c9c8cd;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIW1BR6vt2O/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Jaya Gotidoc (@jaya)</a></div></div></blockquote><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>Over the weekend, family, friends, and fellow artists mourned the loss of Pilita Corrales, honoring her legacy and celebrating the decades she dedicated to Filipino music and entertainment.</p><div> </div>

<p>Ryan Cayabyab, Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, and more remember Pilita Corrales's impact on their career and contribution to Philippine music industry.</p>

Ryan Cayabyab, Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, and more remember Pilita Corrales's impact on their career and contribution to Philippine music industry.

OPM icons pay tribute to late Pilita Corrales: 'The story of many of our lives in the music industry would not be complete without her'

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OPM icons pay tribute to late Pilita Corrales: 'The story of many of our lives in the music industry would not be complete without her'

Nikka Sabio,

Push Team

Published Apr 15, 2025 05:52 PM PHT

Read More:

Pilita Corrales

Ryan Cayabyab

Jaya

Gary Valenciano

Ogie Alcasid

Martin Nievera

Zsazsa Padilla

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