In the ’50s, four of the country’s best English singers came up with a long-play albums billed, what else, Best of Carmen Periña, Merci Molina, Belle Gonzales and Carmen Pateña.
Periña was dubbed ‘R.P.’s Juke Box Queen for English,’ Belle ‘R.P.’s Classic Diva’ (Jo Stafford of the Phils.), Pateña ‘Phils. Original Belter Queen’ & The Pride of Eduardo’s (With Excerpts Live from Her Concert at the CCP).
Merci’s album didn’t carry descriptions, but she was noted for her sentimental and her heartbreaking songs, like It Hurts to Say Goodbye, It Must Be Him, Free Again.
Belle’s identified with the Jo Stafford song No Other Love. One of Periña’s most popular tune was My Long Lost Love, actually an Ilonggo song. Pateña’s showstopper was The Greatest Performance of My Life.
Asia’s Queen of Song Pilita Corrales and the enchanting Carmen Soriano were the other popular artists — recording, nightclub and concert — of the ’50s. To date, Pilita remains active, as beautiful and attractive as ever. — RKC