She’s been singing for more than 50 years but she always updates her act when she performs. “Siempre, you have to go with the times. Like sa concert ko, ‘A Million Thanks to You’ sa Manila Hotel Fiesta Pavillion on November 13, I will be singing Miley Cyrus’ ‘Wrecking Ball’, complete with twerking. I also do Lady Gaga in Tagalog. You can’t just keep on doing the same thing. Ako, pagpasok ko ng stage, I already know my audience. You have to know them so you can please them.”
In the first part of the concert, she’ll do her signature Tagalog, English and Spanish songs. In the second part, she’ll have special guests: the singers who did duets with her in her “Duets” album: Martin Nievera, Basil Valdez, Sarah Geronimo, The Company, Regine Velasquez, Joey Albert, Chad Borja and Vic Sotto. They’ve also invited Sharon Cuneta but she’s not sure yet. “I’ll also have a number with the Wing Duo and my daughter, Jackielou, for some mother and daughter songs.”
How about her son in law, Ricky Davao, who has become a very good singer? “I haven’t seen him lately. Busy yata siya. Please tell him to call his mother in law. He didn’t even greet me on my birthday. Ni hindi ko nga kilala ang girlfriend niya ngayon. Di ba live in na sila?”
Wonder what Ricky will say about this revelation. Going back to Pilita, will she still do her signature bending backwards act? “Ah yes, hindi ako puedeng hindi lumiliyad dahil hindi lalabas ang boses ko.”
Does she still memorize her songs or does she rely on her teleprompter? “Hoy, wala pa akong alzheimer’s, no? I memorize very easily. I don’t want to be dependent on the teleprompter.”
“A Million Thanks to You” is directed by Calvin Neria, with Louie Ocampo as musical director. The beneficiary is the Mare Foundation, composed of women who aim to help alleviate poverty with projects like Serbisyong Panggamutan sa Mga Mahihirap, Libreng Gamot at Serbisyong Medical, Pangkabuhayan sa mga Mahihirap and Tubig Pangkalusugan at Kabuhayan.
