The death of Pilita Corrales, acknowledged as Asia’s Queen of Songs, has evoked a lot of memories for people she has touched during her lifetime.
One of them is young fashion designer Erick Valena.
According to Erick, Pilita is one of a kind.
“Hindi siya katulad ng ibang artista na akala mo kung sino. Masyado siyang mabait. Hindi tulad ng ibang artista na hindi namamansin pag may ibang tao sa kanilang paligid, si Tita Pilita, iba. Nakikipag-usap siya sa mga tao sa kanyang paligid kahit hindi niya kilala. Kaya saludo ako sa kanya (She wasn't like other stars who are high hat and they think they’re indispensable. She was very kind. Unlike other stars who don’t mind when there are people around them, Tita (a term of endearment to an older aunt or woman by blood or by affinity) Pilita was different from the rest. She would talk to people around her even if she wasn’t familiar with them. I salute her),” gushed Valena in an exclusive interview.
Valena has been making exclusive clothes for the singer-actress for years.
“It was Albert Figueras who was doing her clothes. You see, I am a protégé of Albert and when Tita Pilita moved to Paranaque City from New Manila, I was asked by Albert to go and assist Tita Pilita because she lived near me while Albert lives in Makati,” informed Erick.
Valena said he just did a red pants and blazer for Corrales last year but he hasn’t seen her wear it until her death.
“I will miss Tita Pilita dearly. May she rest in peace,” prayed the young designer who will have a Bridal Fair at the Mom’s Backyard in Barangay Danlagan in Lopez, Quezon during the Villasanta Clan Reunion.
Pilita died last Saturday, April 12, of undisclosed causes. Her granddaughter Janine Gutierrez confirmed the news on her social media page.
She was 85.
Pilita's remains lie in state at the Heritage Park in Taguig City starting today, Sunday, April 13, 2025 from 1 to 11 PM for family and friends with a novena mass at 7 PM. The other schedules: April 14, Monday, 2-11 PM; April 15, Tuesday, 2-11 PM for family and friends with novena mass at 7 PM and April 16, Wednesday, 10 AM to 1 PM.
Her family has yet to make an announcement of interment or cremation as of press time.
Photo Credit: Erick Valena
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews #PilitaCorrales