UV to confer Doctor of Music honoris causa to Pilita Corrales

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas will confer today the honorary degree of Doctor of Music to Asia’s Queen of Songs, Pilita Corrales.

The university Board of Directors, in a resolution, said that it considers Corrales as an iconic advocate of music and arts, “especially those reflective of Cebuano sentiments and world view and advocacy, which she has persistently pursued in the past four decades.”

“Ms. Corrales’ dedication to the performing arts and her love for Cebuano music should be emulated, especially by the Filipino youth,” said UV Executive Vice President Jose “Dodong” R. Gullas, who recommended the giving of the honorary degree.

Corrales has performed with internationally acclaimed artists like Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Pat Boone, Frank Sinatra and Julie Andrews. She had also appeared in Philippine movies, most of them musicals. Her multi-awarded TV program “An Evening with Pilita” (1965–1972), is widely considered as one of the benchmarks in Philippine broadcasting history.

Through the personal invitation of Sammy Davis Jr., Pilita became the first Filipino to sing in Caesars Palace. In her concert in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas during the late 70s, Pilita sang Spanish, English,  Cebuano  and Tagalog songs, all conducted and arranged by Ryan Cayabyab.

After receiving a 1965 Philippine Citizen’s Award for TV as Best TV Female Performer, Pilita went on to receive Cecil, Aliw, Tinig and Awit and several other awards for her performances and lifetime achievement. In 1990, she received a Merit Award from the FAMAS Awards. In 1991, she was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) for bringing Filipino musical artistry to international audience. She also holds the distinction of being the first Filipino to win in an international music festival by bagging the Best Performer Award during the 1st Tokyo Music Festival (1972) where she bested numerous international artists including the highly regarded Olivia Newton-John.

Corrales, one of the first Halad awardees of the JRG Halad Foundation, which recognizes individuals who have contributed to the preservation and promotion of Cebuano culture, arts and music, is also one of the featured artists at the JRG Halad Museum, the only musically-themed museum in the country.

The conferment of the honorary degree will be done during the university’s graduation ceremonies today. –QSB (FREEMAN)