In a heartfelt evening that sparkled with nostalgia and love, the tribute to Ms. Pilita Corrales—fondly referred to as “Mamita” by her family—unfolded like a beautiful melody at the Heritage. As the room filled with friends, family, and admirers, Martin Nievera took to the stage, embodying the essence of a celebration that was as much a farewell as it was a gratitude-laden gathering.

“Thank you all for joining us tonight. We gather not just to honor Ms. Pilita, but to celebrate the incredible mark she has left on our lives,” Martin began, his voice a soothing balm against the weight of emotion lingering in the air. He introduced himself as Ricky May, one of Pilita’s granddaughters, and the tone was instantly set: this was a night curated for remembrance, love, and raw sincerity.

The crowd erupted in applause as Martin, humbled yet proud, shared his sentiments. “I must confess, I’m the most delinquent of Tita Pilita’s family,” he chuckled, diffusing the emotion with humor. Yet beneath the laughter, there was palpable admiration—a profound acknowledgment of a life dedicated to the arts and the uplifting of others.

For many, Ms. Pilita was not just a singer or an entertainer; she was a beacon of hope, a nurturing force who launched careers and inspired souls. Martin reminisced, “She started my career 42 years ago,” a testament to her impactful legacy, as he emphasized that “there’s a piece of Tita Pilita in all of us.”

As he spoke about how she embraced newcomers with open arms, the audience could feel the warmth of her spirit—ever generous, ever loving. In a world where fame can distract, Ms. Pilita’s teachings transcended the superficial: the importance of humility, the passion for one’s craft, and the understanding that every performance—no matter how small—was significant.

A Song for Ms. PILITA Corrales… MARTIN Nievera Sings 'IKAW LANG ANG MAMAHALIN'… - YouTube

With every word, it became clearer that this was more than a goodbye. It was a reaffirmation of her influence. Martin’s voice, filled with gratitude, echoed through the venue, reminding everyone of her mantra: “Not to take anything lightly, but to treat everything with the seriousness and joy it deserves.”

With tears and smiles mingling, the atmosphere shifted; it transformed into a living homage. As Martin called for a standing ovation—the “Pelita Salute”—the audience rose in unison, their hearts beating in rhythm with shared memories of laughter, music, and love. “This is for Asia’s Queen of Songs!” he urged, and the room erupted—a cathartic release that resonated deeply with those who had been touched by her magic.

As the night progressed, it became evident that Ms. Pilita’s legacy was alive in every corner of the room. Friends and family gathered, ready to share their own stories, their own songs, each one a thread woven into the rich tapestry of a life that had impacted so many.

This gathering was not merely about mourning; it was about celebrating a life vibrantly lived. The food outside, laughter, and tears mingled as a reminder that while Ms. Pilita may have left this world, her spirit, her lessons, and her love were forever etched in the hearts and minds of all she had touched.

In this night of remembrance, a profound truth emerged: the spirit of Asia’s Queen of Songs will continue to resonate in the melodies of lives forever changed by her presence. And as the night came to a close, one could only hope that this was not the end, but rather the continuation of a song—a song that would forever honor Ms. Pilita Corrales. 🎶❤️

The forever grateful king

 

The jampacked crowd at the Big Dome cheered for the Concert King, Martin Nievera, the previous weekend; but he was forever grateful, singing his thank-yous to the significant people who formed part of his illustrious 42-year singing career.

Regine Velasquez – “Forever”: Louie and he, along with their dear friend Rowell Santiago, put their hearts and storytelling talents to the test when they wrote the duet for Regine and himself, but little did they know how special this song would become.

Regine and he had major concerts together both locally and globally. Their friendship dated back to the ‘80s when she launched her career on a TV show he hosted with Pops called “Penthouse Live,” but he felt that it was this song that truly brought them closest together. Each time they sang this song, he was sure that their love and friendship was of the “forever” kind. Regine was the sweetest, most thoughtful friend he had. He would love her forever.

Zsa Zsa Padilla – “Beautiful”: He had never met anyone more beautiful inside and out, and inside again than his dear friend Zsa Zsa. She was the most reliable friend he had, willing to go out on a limb for any of them. She had been everyone’s favorite person for as long as he had known her. Never mind her one-of-a-kind velvet voice—she was first a friend till the end. Such a beautiful person. Such a beautiful soul.

Ariel Rivera – “How Can I”: He knew it sounded like a song a guy would give a girl, but he explained.

There were so many chapters in his life that were either lost or left unwritten. There were friends he lost or who stayed away when he needed them the most, but not Ariel. He stayed around to help him pick up the pieces and find his way back. He didn’t think he could have made it out of the hole he dug for himself without Ariel. Of all his friends, he saw him the least, but needed and loved him the most.

Crossover and Villar Family – “You”: He would always remember his Crossover family. At one time back then, he was over for lunch almost every Sunday, so he nearly changed his last name to Villar.

They picked him up off the ground and breathed new life into his concert career. He would never forget them for that. They made so many beautiful memories together. Besides, this song was the favorite of his sister Sari, whom he loved and adored. They helped him “crossover” to a happier time in his life.

EMI / POLYEAST Family – “Against All Odds”: He had some of the best years of his career with his Polyeast family. They made CD after CD, sometimes three in less than a year, but the one thing he could never forget was when his boss Ramon Chuaying met him and saw that he had no car at their meeting. He could see what Martin was going through with his public separation and all, and he gave him an advance to get himself a car. Such a beautiful man.

The “Martin After Dark” and “Martin Late @ Nite” Family – “Biggest Part of Me”: When he was a young boy, he thought he only had one dream, and that was to be a singer. When he came to the Philippines back in the 1980s to live that dream, he never once considered becoming a television host.

He remembered loving to watch the Johnny Carson show and the Arsenio Hall show, finding himself directing and critiquing these seasoned talk show hosts from his living room, only to be blessed with the opportunity to host his very first TV show, “Penthouse Live” with Pops on GMA7. This opened the door for him to host his own talk show, MAD or “Martin After Dark,” also on Channel 7, and “Martin Nievera After Dark” and “Martin Late @ Nite” on ABS-CBN. This was where he learned how to interview the most interesting celebrities and feature talented individuals from all sectors of society; but the people who made him look like a credible host were the incredible family of writers and creative minds who spoon-fed him with the most brilliant scripts and gimmicks that would later become some of the most award-winning pieces of the shows they enjoyed today. They were all the biggest part of him and all he had become in his 42 years, and he could never thank them enough.

The “X Factor” Kids – “I Sing”: His “X Factor” kids—Jeric, Kedebon, Allen, Gab, and his KZ—not to mention his “The Voice” kids and teens, had blessed him not just with their beautiful voices but had taught him many lessons about life. Believe it or not, he learned from them more than