Coritha
Coritha | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Socorro Avelino |
| Born | June 27, 1951 |
| Died | September 27, 2024 (aged 73) Tagaytay, Cavite, Philippines |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1960s–2000 |
| Partner | Chito Santos |
Socorro Avelino (June 27, 1951 – September 27, 2024[1]), commonly known professionally by the mononym Coritha, was a Filipino folk singer. She is best known for the 1979 song "Oras Na", and other songs such as "Sierra Madre" and "Lolo Jose".
Career
[edit]Coritha popularized the songs "Oras Na" (lit. 'It's Time') and "Sierra Madre" in the 1970s.[2] She also performed "Awit Kay Leandro" (lit. 'Song for Leandro'), "Gising na, O Kuya Ko" (lit. 'Wake Up, My Older Brother') and "Lolo Jose" (lit. 'Grandpa Jose').[3][4][5] Peaking in the 1960s and 1970s, she is noted for her folk-country songs which devises native Philippine instruments.[6][7]
"Lolo Jose" was an own composition which was an entry at the Metro Pop Songwriting Contest. She is also a recipient of two Cecil awards for Best Folk-Pop Song and Best Folk-Pop Vocal Performance.[1]
Coritha retired in 2000.[3] She also composed the song "Mabuhay Ang Kalayaan" (lit. 'Long live Freedom'), which was used as the theme song of the 2002 film Lapu-Lapu and was nominated as Best Theme Song in the 2002 Metro Manila Film Festival.[8]
The song "Oras Na" was used a protest anthem in the 2001 EDSA Revolution which deposed president Joseph Estrada. Coritha personally took part in the protests. The song composed in 1978 and released a year later was made during the Martial law era under president and dictator, Ferdinand Marcos.[9] The song, particularly the line Ang takot ay nasa isip lamang (lit. 'Fear is only in the mind') was also referenced by Corazon Aquino in a rally against Marcos in 1986.[10] It was also used as a theme for the 2018 film BuyBust.[3][4]
Illness and death
[edit]Coritha was diabetic and became bedridden in her final years of her life after suffering from a stroke in February 2024.[1] Coritha died on September 27, 2024, at her partner's residence in Tagaytay.[2][5] Her condition was first publicized in July 2024 by her partner through a video by Julius Babao's vlog channel in YouTube, with Coritha's colleagues in the industry organizing a fundraiser for her.[7][11] Coritha's remains were subsequently cremated.[5]
Personal life
[edit]Luisito "Chito" Santos was Coritha's domestic partner who found her after Coritha's house in Quezon City burned down in 2018.[5][12] She first met Santos in the 1980s during a concert in Escolta.[2] Following the fire, she lived in Santos's residence in Tagaytay in Cavite until her death.[6] She also had a sister and a brother.[11][12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Franco, Bernie (September 28, 2024). "OPM folk singer Coritha dies". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c Requintina, Robert (September 28, 2024). "Oras Na: OPM folk icon Coritha passes away, 73". Manila Bulletin (in English and Filipino). Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c Cua, Aric John Sy (September 29, 2024). "Folk singer Coritha dies". The Manila Times. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Domingo, Gay Ace (September 29, 2024). "Coritha's legacy". Malaya. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Cuadra, Addie (September 29, 2024). "Philippine music legend Coritha passes away at 73". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Reyes, Juno (September 28, 2024). "OPM legend Coritha dies". Rappler. Archived from the original on September 28, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Vivar, Vinia (September 28, 2024). "OPM legend na si Coritha pumanaw na" [OPM legend Coritha passed away]. Journal News Online (in Filipino). Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ "Coritha, nag-walkout din". Pilipino Star Ngayon (in Filipino). January 3, 2003. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ "Oras Na: A song that has inspired millions". The Philippine Star. March 30, 2001. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ "Oras Na: A song that has inspired millions". The Philippine Star. March 30, 2001. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ a b Pasajol, Anne (September 28, 2024). "Folk singer Coritha dies". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Tupas, Emmanuel (October 7, 2018). "Fire destroys folk singer's house". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 20, 2024.