Pilita’s conquests and legacy part 2
THE year 1966 was somewhat a banner year for Pilita Corrales’ acting career. Aside from playing the title role in “The Jukebox Queen,” she completed a total of ten films – from comedy to musical to drama and action.
In 1971, Pilita’s romance with actor Eddie Gutierrez, produced a son, Ramon Christopher, born in 1971. The latter was married to actress Lotlot de Leon but eventually also separated.
Eddie later married sexy star Annabelle Rama, with whom he has six children. Pilita and Annabelle never became at odds against each other. In fact, they even became good friends.
Annabelle was producing shows and every time, she would get Pilita to perform onstage and be part of the line-up.
They proved that the present wife and the past girlfriend could harmoniously exist, although not under one roof. They could even work together professionally. The former as singer-talent and the latter as concert producer. That happened a number of times.
In May 2001, Pilita tied the knot with Paraguayan/Australian businessman Carlos Lopez.
Pilita won the FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. In 2014, she appeared in three of her last few big screen credits – Mae Czarina Cruz’s “Bride for Rent,” starring Kim Chiu and Xian Lim; Tony Y. Reyes’ “My Illegal Wife,” with Pokwang and Zanjoe Marudo; and Topel Lee’s “Basement,” topbilled by Aljur Abrenica and Ellen Adarna.
In 2012, Pilita became a judge in “X Factor Philippines” that aired on ABS-CBN. It was the first franchise to be adapted in Southeast Asia.
Hosted by KC Concepcion, the show had Martin Nievera, Charice Pempengco and Gary Valenciano in the judging panel. KZ Tandingan was named winner.
In 2020, Pilita also joined “Tawag ng Tanghalan” on “It’s Showtime” as one of the guest judges.
