Pilita duets with icons in the industry

MANILA, Philippines - In the entertainment world, there are artists who are superbly stellar, and Pilita Corrales is one of them. She has pioneered in penetrating the international scene, with distinctions like being the first female artist to top the Australian pop music charts long before Kylie Minogue and Olivia Newton-John did. At the first Tokyo Music Festival in the ’70s, Pilita even defeated Olivia Newton-John as the Best Performer.

Many years and countless accolades later, the Asia’s Queen of Song continues to be well-loved for her works, humor and genuine good nature, not just by audiences, but by her fellow artists. No wonder why they are more than happy to collaborate with her, just like in her latest album called Duets.

When Viva Boss Vic del Rosario commented that it’s been a while since Pilita last released an album, she raised the idea of coming up with a Visayan album. But to her surprise, Boss Vic had something better in mind. “He said, ‘Mag-Duets album ka na lang with all the icons in the music industry,” Pilita recalls.  “And I said, ‘My God, definitely!”

Whatever concerns she had about the difficulty in the scheduling of the artists were assuaged when Boss Vic said, “We can do it.” “So I’m very happy that it happened,” she beams. 

With Martin Nievera, Basil Valdez, Vic Sotto, Chad Borja, Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez, Joey Albert, The CompanY and Sarah Geronimo on board, the next step was to select the songs. Pilita shares, “What Viva did was to ask the artists what songs they’d want to do with me...I suggested a few also, but actually it was more them. Like Basil, he chose Kapantay ay Langit.” 

Chad, Pilita’s fellow Cebuano, chose the song Usahay (which means “Sometimes”) to give the album a Visayan touch. Pilita reveals that doing the second voice for the love song was particularly challenging, but the result is going to be a real treat for listeners.

Her duet version of Pagdating Ng Panahon with The CompanY is also something no one has ever heard before. The song’s arrangement has a jazzy feel to it and there’s the addition of Spanish lyrics written by Pilita herself.  True to the message of the song composed by the group’s Moy Ortiz, the lines she added speak of devotion. “The gist is someone saying I’ll wait until you realize that I’m here,” she says. 

Vic graciously accepted Pilita’s invitation for a duet when she approached him during their taping of Vampire Ang Daddy Ko, a sitcom shown on GMA. Vic’s hit composition, Ipagpatawad Mo, was the first song she recorded. 

The Queen of Songs teams up with Concert King Martin in the song Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin, and Sarah in Forever’s Not Enough. Having a duet with these two other music royalties, Pilita says, “Who knows when this will happen again?”

Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko is the song shared with Sharon, while You Are My Song and Tell Me are her collaborations with Regine and Joey, respectively. 

Before Duets, all these songs used to be just something she would love to listen to. “I haven’t done these songs in live shows that I do. So this time, I get to do it.” 

Also included in the album is Pilita’s signature song, A Million Thanks To You, which she does solo.

As for the secret to her career’s longevity, she says it’s “being able to adapt yourself to change.” Indeed, she never fails to entertain her audience with new tricks in every show she does. She has tried rapping, “I do a lot of jokes also, and I do Lady Gaga in Tagalog,” she adds.

But ultimately, Pilita’s success boils down to one thing: Her love for her work. “Love your profession, you should love your profession,” she stresses.  “Whatever you do, do it with your heart and you’ll never go wrong.”

(Pilita and her guests will perform songs from the album in Duets A Million Thanks, a concert for the benefit of the Mare Foundation. This will be held at the Fiesta Pavillion of the Manila Hotel on Thursday, Nov. 13.)