A senator on Tuesday, April 22, filed two resolutions seeking to honor the life and achievements of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor and Asia’s Queen of Songs, Pilita Corrales.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada filed Senate Resolution No. 1336 calling the Senate to commend “Asia’s Queen of Songs” Pilita Corrales, recognizing her unmatched contributions to music, television, and film.
“Her immense talent has inspired generations of Filipino artists and her departure has left a void in the hearts of those who admire and look up to her not just as an artist but also as an empowered woman,” Estrada said.
The Senator said Corrales captivated audiences both locally and internationally, winning the Best Performer Award at the Tokyo Music Festival in 1972, where she triumphed over legendary artists like Paul Williams and Olivia Newton-John.
“(Corrales) was also the first Filipino singer and one of the first women to reach the top of the Australian pop charts, further cementing her global recognition,” Estrada added.
Pilar Garrido Corrales, better known as Pilita Corrales, was born on August 22, 1937, in Cebu City. The celebrated singer, recognized as one of the Philippines’ greatest vocalists, died on April 12, 2024, at 87.
Her exceptional talent earned her performances at world-famous venues, including Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Carnegie Hall in New York, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., cementing her status as an international star.
“She was celebrated not only for her vocal prowess but also for her signature backbending pose while singing high notes, a unique trademark that endeared her to millions,” he said.
The senator emphasized that Corrales’ enduring classics—including “A Million Thanks to You” and “Kapantay ay Langit”—continue to hold a special place in the hearts of her fans.
Similarly, Estrada also filed Senate Resolution No. 1337, urging the Senate to formally recognize Nora Aunor’s significant role in promoting Philippine arts and culture.
He emphasized that her impact on the country’s arts scene “is as vast as her local and international accolades, yet as undeniable as her extraordinary talent.”
“Her unquantifiable achievements in both local and international scenes propel her as one of the most awarded Filipino actors in history, bringing great pride, honor, and glory to the nation,” the senator stressed.
Born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor on May 21, 1953, in Iriga City, Camarines Sur, the artist affectionately called “Ate Guy” by generations of fans began her journey as a singer in the 1960s before achieving cinematic breakthrough with her first film, All Over the World (1967).
“As the nation mourns her passing, the Senate expresses its deepest sympathies to her family, colleagues, and countless admirers who cherished her work. A copy of the resolution will be provided to her bereaved family as a testament to the nation’s recognition of her extraordinary legacy,” Estrada said
“With her passing on April 16, 2025, at the age of 71, Nora Aunor’s legacy as the one and only ‘Superstar’ of Philippine Cinema will forever be etched in history,” he added. (TCSP)
