Look-alike: Young Pilita Corrales (left) and granddaughter Janine Gutierrez
How’s this for twinning? A few weeks ago, a vintage photo of a young chanteuse made netizens do a double take. Was that Asia’s Queen of Song, Pilita Corrales, or her look-alike granddaughter, the equally lovely Janine Gutierrez? The legendary performer shared the stage with the promising actress at The Theatre at Solaire, in a recent concert, “An Evening With Pilita.” Janine recalled that she was on pins and needles backstage. “I was so nervous before the show because my Mamita is such a force onstage,” she explained. “But in reality, she’s so sweet and gracious and makes everyone feel comfortable.”
Janine had a blast, performing as her Mamita during her Grand Opera House days. “It was so much fun! She’s my idol, and it was cool to see the photos and videos of her singing when she was younger. We were all speechless. She has always been amazing. We all ended up in tears!” La Pilita summed up the heady night in one word: “Uplifting.” Brava! —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
Janine (left) and Mamita Pilita onstage —AUDIE GEMORA