Folk singer Coritha dies

Folk singer Coritha. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Pambansang Almusal

OPM singer Coritha—best known for her hit songs “Oras Na,” “Lolo Jose,” and “Sierra Madre”—died after a long illness, her partner Chito Santos confirmed.

Santos made the confirmation through broadcaster Julius Babao, as per the latter’s YouTube vlog on Friday, Sept. 27.

Speaking about the late singer’s final days, Santos said, “Ilang araw namin siyang binabantayan hanggang sa manghina na siya nang manghina. Ayoko namang magtagal pa dahil lalo lang siyang mahihirapan.”

“Tumigil na lang siya [sa paghinga]. Lumalaban siya kanina… [Pero] nakita ko na hirap na hirap na siya kaya nag-decide na ako na gano’n… Hindi ko na kayang tiisin e,” he continued.

Santos stated that the singer’s remains will be cremated. Santos’ sister, who is a doctor and also looked after Coritha, further noted that they plan to have a “one day, one night viewing” at the pair’s residence in Tagaytay. The date of the viewing has yet to be finalized as of this writing.

“Nagpapasalamat ako ng marami sa mga taong nakikiramay sa amin, nagdasal para kay Coritha, sa nag-donate, nag-abuloy,” Santos added.

Santos disclosed Coritha’s condition through Babao’s vlog in July, showing the singer unable to speak and bedridden due to stroke.

Coritha received help from fellow OPM singers including Cooky Chua, Lolita Carbon and Bayang Barrios who held in August the fundraising show “Awit para kay Coritha.”