The curtain falls on the original ‘Kilabot ng mga Kolehiala’

He was born Angelito Toledo Alejandro on Dec. 26, 1954 but this was soon ditched in favor of Hajji which stuck to him all his life. His father was a fan of the popular movie of the time titled “The Adventures of Hajji Baba.” It was an “Arabian Nights”-inspired flick that starred the devastatingly handsome John Derek in the title role.

Hajji turned out to be also devastating in his own way for he later became known as the “Kilabot ng mga Kolegiala.” It was a tag, which means, college girls, especially those from convent schools run by nuns, beware. Hajji is on the prowl, which, in a way, made him more attractive as a singing idol. Thus launched Hajji’s successful solo career.

Before this though, Hajji was a part of the Circus Band, a group which was known as a melting pot of sounds and music stars. That means that each one of the members had the potential to become a solo star and Hajji was the singing heartthrob. The Circus filled many nights at Rino’s, The Flame, Wells Fargo and other night spots. The group also went on tour ETIME OF MUSIC.

A lady should never be made to reveal her age. But then if you are as beautiful as Pilita Corrales and still sporting a gorgeous pair of legs, then I see no point in keeping that number a secret.

Looking like that, it is okay to shout “I’m 87” from the housetops.

Besides, that 87 includes 70 years spent as a singer, actress, comedienne, movie and TV star, an all-around entertainer whose recording brought Mike Velarde’s Dahil Sa ‘yo to the LP players of the rock and roll generation.

Pilita was born on Aug. 22, 1937 to Jose Corrales and Maria Garrido. She grew up in a conservative, affluent home. As was the custom with well-off Spanish families, she was sent to study in a finishing school in Spain, the Colegio Mayor de Padre Poveda in preparation for a future as the wife of a rich man and manager of his well-staffed household.

This was not to be though, the sudden death of her father brought Pilita back home and soon she was embarking on the only career she was capable of, showbusiness.

Unknown to the young Pilita, that sudden change in her family’s financial circumstances would make her a household name, would turn her into an international celebrity and most of all, a source of pride for the Philippines.

She floundered for a while with small stints but she found solid footing in Victoria in Australia. With her showstopping looks and distinctive singing style, Pilita easily conquered Victoria. She had a big hit on her first time out with Come Closer to Me.

She was a star and pioneer act of Australian television. She was so popular that a street was named in her honor in Victoria.

Manila came next. First as host of the Spanish radio show “La Taberna,” where she would sing accompanying herself on the guitar. It was not long after this that stage shows beckoned. Pilita in her figure-hugging sequined gowns and bouffant hairdo, became the top draw at the Clover Theater and the Manila Grand Opera House. By the time she got to nightclub row, Pilita had become the country’s leading entertainer.

Think television. The high-rating “Your Evening with Pilita.” Motion Pictures. “Miss Mamaw, My Faithful Love.” The stage. With Bob Hope, Sammy Davis Jr., The Beatles, Matt Monroe and others. Shows in Las Vegas and Carnegie Hall. Best of all, she had a hit song, an original composition by Filipino Alice Doria-Gamilla, A Million Thanks to You, which gave birth to that well-known backbend. “The day you came along with your song, my heart began to sing dear…”

It may have seemed improbable back then but Pilita still managed to surpass all that and become an even bigger star. This happened with the album Philippine Love Songs, which came about because Vicor Music which put her under contract did not quite know what to do with the singing star. Certainly not cover versions, which was in fact, what was keeping the Vicor coffers full, thanks to Tirso Cruz III and Victor Wood.

Philippine Love Songs by Pilita Corrales. Brilliant idea. The only problem was Pilita could only speak Spanish, English and Cebuano. How was she going to navigate through the melodies of Dahil Sa ‘Yo or Lahat ng Araw with her thick accent. Credit her diligence and never say die attitude with the outcome.

Released in 1972, Philippine Love Songs became one of the biggest selling albums of all time in local pop music history. With cuts like Velarde’s Dahil Sa ‘yo, Tito Arevalo’s Hinahanap Kita, Sapagka’t Kami’y Tao Lamang by Tony Maiquez and Rosas Pandan by Manuel Velez, Philippine Love Songs turned out to be a major showcase of great Filipino music.

This album is Pilita’s most important accomplishment, not only because it sold and continues to sell a lot of copies but also because it introduced Filipino songs in a new, almost pop way to the young generation.

After Philippine Love Songs, it became the practice for big name singers to record their own collection and it became just an easy walk for Rico J. Puno to get kids interested in Kapalaran or for Basil Valdez to give them Ngayon at Kailanman.

By the way, speaking of Ngayon at Kailanman, that song was written by George Canseco. Pilita also performed a Canseco composition in Philippine Love Songs. It was Kapantay ay Langit, which became her next signature song and biggest hit. “Pag-ibig ko, kapantay ay langit hirang, hindi magbabago kailan pa man...”

Now, that is quite a legacy for somebody who started out with a whispery Noche de Ronda heard on static infested radios.