Friday, July 23, 2010

did you know CORITHA???

that's my intro-question for my friends upon knowing that coritha is still very much alive and that she will perform as part of the LEGENDS SERIES of conspiracy cafe (07/22/10. 10pm). answers varied from 'what's that?' to 'what is she famous for?" (all those other types in between). as for me, she's one those few beautiful pinay voices that have molded my 'musical being' when i was a very little girl. hearing her 'sierra madre' still gives me that ever-familiar feeling of sadness and longing for some place to call 'home'.

here are some of the 'internet-generation's little known facts' that might answer all (or some) of my friends' questions about coritha (thank you http://www.coritha.com/) : did you know ---

1. that coritha is the Philippines' foremost singer-songwriter-performer, recording artist and pioneering OPM advocate? known as the PEOPLE'S SINGER, coritha's songs have stood the test of time and have touched, inspired and entertained audience in countless ways.

2. that as the world sang and partied to Al Gore's Live Earth 24-hour musical extravaganza (to combat global warming), several patriotic-earth-loving Pinoys made sure the Filipinos would not be left behind? led by her, the Filipinos' presence was felt via a music video entitled "One Earth".

3.that the song "Lolo Jose" was first submitted as an entry in a Metro Pop (that famous songwriting contest) but never made it? however, in 1982, it won two Cecil awards: 1) "Best Folk-Pop Song", 2) "Best Folk-Pop Vocal Performance."

4. that she wrote and sung her super-dooper-mega-over hit song "Sierra Madre" as her tribute to the Sierra Madre Mountains, the largest and longest mountain range in the Philippines?

5. that she was the first (musical) artist in the history of pop-pinoy music to experiment with Philippine native instruments in her music? rondalla instruments such as the Banduria, Octavina and Laud were used in the songs "Awit Kay Leandro," "Bilanggo" and one of her biggest hit songs "Oras Na".

6. that she was the first singer-performer and recording artist to work alongside blind musicians with their talents as banduria players for her live performances and recordings during the early part of her career?

7. that despite the low turn-out (of audience) of her show with the rock 70s band last night, she was ever dynamic and ever strong in her rendition of parokya ni edgar's harana, a playful mix of pinoy pop-rock bongga ka day, jeprox and beep-beep (rock 70s rocked the night with horse with no name, and smooth) and the soulful interpretation of her timeless songs- kaibigan, sierra madre, lolo jose and oras na. i was seated just few inches away from the pinay pop-rock legend and i never regretted a single moment of it.

PS. special thanks to dear friend roy llenos for footing the bill and being my as-usual 'fairy god-driver'. my!!! was i one lucky fan!

[coritha's b&w pic above is from
http://www.singerpictures.com/coritha-pictures.html]

22 comments:

Greg F. Aberin said...

I discovered that Coritha'S songs become more relevant to our society as the years go by. I liked the song Sierra Madre and only learned that she has more songs that could be practiced in heart by Filipinos. I used her songs to inspire our clients (during their rehabilitation sessions) to love life, reform, appreciate the natural and conserve the environment. I hope she keeps on writing and singing, her music is an inspiration, especially to people who need strength, and hope.

Anonymous said...

I get from the post that there were few who came. I should have known earlier. If not for this post I wouldn't even know she's still alive. Salute to coritha!

Anonymous said...

I totally can relate to what you wrote Mr. Aberin. I am far from home and Sierra Madre cuts deep.

The Big Thing Matters! said...

Big Fan too right here....

My heart would just rend into pieces knowing sadly how today's generation virtually destroyed the legacy of the pioneers. Listening to her songs is really quite nostalgic & therapeutic.... And for one thing, she's as beautiful as ever, inside out.... None of the singers nowadays could even match what she'd sown for the harvest of the future generations!!!

Hats off to Madame Coritha!!!

Unknown said...

Whats her real name?

Anonymous said...

Socorro Avelino

Unknown said...

i wish i could write a song for her.

Anonymous said...

I grew up listening to her music. Her songs are as relevant today as the day she’s written them. I love all about her and her music.

Anonymous said...

good songs and nice to air again and again. bless her with more inspiring songs to next coming generation. thanks ms coritha.

sakura said...

Thanks for dropping by. I just realized that it is a decade since that night. Yes, she is quite a legend huh? It is just sad, that unlike Lolita, she doesn't perform much now. Perhaps by invite-only :)

Mizrach1914 said...

Nanghihinayang po ako sa talent ni Ms. Coritha.
After her smash hits, hindi na po siya na-promote.
Yung kanyang mga kanta noon (Sierra Madre, Oras Na, etc...) were instant hits of a wide age group, pero nawala po siya?
I can just imagine how many more classic folk songs ang nagawa sana niya if tuloy-tuloy lang ang mga promo at visibility niya.
Thank you po for posting.

sakura said...

@mizrach--- thanks very much.
I so can relate to your feelings.
I still wish she'd be singing for us again.
Good morning!

Paul M. Gomez said...

Hi guys! Napakinggan ko ang sierra madre sa unang beses. Matapos nito, para nahulog ako sa rabbit hole ng music niya. Mrami sa kanta ay hindi lang pinoy folk ang sound pero classic country sounding din. Parang si Lorettta Lynn. Inspired ba si Ma'am Corintha ng country music?

sakura said...

yes, she's a folksinger eh :) she's probably 65 by now but last time I saw her parang di naman nag age... ganda pa rin. Coritha... she is best known for the song "ORAS NA," which became one of the anthems of the anti-Marcos movements in the 70s and the two EDSA revolutions.

Unknown said...

Just curious kung taga saan siya at saang school siya nagtapos? Love her songs oral na, sierra madre and lolo Jose. Admire her singing ang song writing talent. Salute and cheers idol Coritha. God bless you always.

Unknown said...

*oras na

Unknown said...

kapatid nya nga ba si broadcaster manolo favis?

Jose Bulao said...

Salamat sa pag post dito ng information tungkol Kay Coritha. Her music has a quality that is genuinely spiritual. I hope to meet her and convince her to sing truly spiritual, not religious or church, songs. Salamat ulit.

Cedrick Bags said...

Sarap sa tenga ng mga kanta ni Coritha. 23 years old lang po ako pero gustong gusto kong pakinggan ang kanyang mga awit

Anonymous said...

Saan n kya.s maam.corit tga saan b s maam sna mkita stv ano srap pkinggan ang knta parang gusto m plagi.mrinig.knta nya ang boses iba tlented at mganda sya pgtumugtog

Anonymous said...

Mganda s maam corith hanga2 ako dyan sboses nya at hnahangan ng mrami pgkmakanta s.stage msta.ikw ngayon maam sna nsambuti ikw

Anonymous said...

Napadpad ako dito dahil na curious ako sa music nya. Napag alaman ko po sa isang fb post na sya ay na stroke, sana may maka tulong sa kanya at bumuti ang kalagayan .