PHILIPPINE music icon Pilita Corrales, fondly known as “Asia’s Queen of Songs,” has passed away at 85.
The news was confirmed on Saturday, April 12, 2025, by her granddaughter, actress Janine Gutierrez, who released a statement on behalf of the family.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved mami and mamita, Pilita Corrales,” Gutierrez shared on Instagram.
“Pilita touched the lives of many, not only with her songs but also with her kindness and generosity. She will be remembered for her contributions to the entertainment industry, but most of all for her love of life and family. Please join us with your prayers and kind thoughts as we celebrate her beautiful life,” she added.
With a career spanning more than six decades, Corrales leaves behind a rich legacy of music, having recorded over a hundred albums in various languages including English, Spanish, Cebuano, and Tagalog.
She was the first Filipino to win in an international music festival -- the Tokyo Music Festival in the 1970s -- and was a frequent presence on variety shows and concerts well into her later years.
Her elegance, vocal prowess, and charismatic stage presence made her a beloved figure across generations, not only in the Philippines but throughout Asia and among the Filipino diaspora worldwide.
Details regarding her memorial services will be announced by the family in the coming days. (JGS/SunStar Philippines)