Folk singer Coritha dies
(UPDATES) FILIPINO folk singer Socorro Avelino, or Coritha, known for her protest song "Oras Na," died on Friday. Her partner and friend, Luisito Santos, informed broadcaster Julius Babao in a phone call that the singer died at 7:50 p.m. on Friday night. She was 73 years old. Babao held a YouTube live stream to inform Filipinos of the singer's passing. "We were watching her until she weakened.... She was fighting. She stopped breathing. I saw that she was already having a hard time. I cannot take it anymore," Santos told Babao in Filipino. In a message to fans relayed to the veteran broadcaster, Santos said he thanked Coritha's fans who prayed for her healing and also who supported the singer in her final days. He also told Babao back in July that the singer could no longer speak following several stroke episodes (both detected and undetected), and that she was a diabetic. Santos met Coritha at a concert in Escolta, Manila, during the 1980s. Coritha's song, "Oras Na," was performed in rallies like the EDSA People Power II Revolution in 2001 and was also used in the Anne Curtis movie "Bye Bust." Some of her other hit songs included "Sierra Madre," "Gising na, O Kuya Ko" and "Lolo Jose." She is also known for using native instruments in her singing career, until her retirement from music in 2000. In 2018, a fire destroyed the singer's home in Quezon City. Later, she moved with Santos to Tagaytay. This year, the singer suffered a stroke and was bedridden. Benefit concerts with artists like Asin and Freddie Aguilar were held to raise funds for her medical expenses. After Coritha's passing, another benefit concert will be held in honor of the late OPM folk singer. "We sympathize and condole with the family, friends, and fans of Ma'am Coritha. Above all to her partner, whose love for her is greater than his life. We have witnessed their life and love for each other," wrote musician Jesse Bartolome. Bartolome organized a charity night at a restobar in Parañaque City that also features actress Liz Alindogan, Nameless Band, Rowkeys, and several other musicians. This will be held on October 12. Santos later told Babao that Coritha's remains were to be cremated, as she wished. Santos said Coritha did not want the public to see her physical body lie in repose. His sister, Dr. Digna Santos, said that a viewing will be held for the singer's cremated remains next weekend in Tagaytay City.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
(UPDATES) FILIPINO folk singer Socorro Avelino, or Coritha, known for her protest song "Oras Na," died on Friday.
Her partner and friend, Luisito Santos, informed broadcaster Julius Babao in a phone call that the singer died at 7:50 p.m. on Friday night. She was 73 years old.
Babao held a YouTube live stream to inform Filipinos of the singer's passing.
"We were watching her until she weakened.... She was fighting. She stopped breathing. I saw that she was already having a hard time. I cannot take it anymore," Santos told Babao in Filipino.
In a message to fans relayed to the veteran broadcaster, Santos said he thanked Coritha's fans who prayed for her healing and also who supported the singer in her final days.
He also told Babao back in July that the singer could no longer speak following several stroke episodes (both detected and undetected), and that she was a diabetic.
Santos met Coritha at a concert in Escolta, Manila, during the 1980s.
Coritha's song, "Oras Na," was performed in rallies like the EDSA People Power II Revolution in 2001 and was also used in the Anne Curtis movie "Bye Bust."
Some of her other hit songs included "Sierra Madre," "Gising na, O Kuya Ko" and "Lolo Jose."
She is also known for using native instruments in her singing career, until her retirement from music in 2000.
In 2018, a fire destroyed the singer's home in Quezon City. Later, she moved with Santos to Tagaytay.
This year, the singer suffered a stroke and was bedridden. Benefit concerts with artists like Asin and Freddie Aguilar were held to raise funds for her medical expenses.
After Coritha's passing, another benefit concert will be held in honor of the late OPM folk singer.
"We sympathize and condole with the family, friends, and fans of Ma'am Coritha. Above all to her partner, whose love for her is greater than his life. We have witnessed their life and love for each other," wrote musician Jesse Bartolome.
Bartolome organized a charity night at a restobar in Parañaque City that also features actress Liz Alindogan, Nameless Band, Rowkeys, and several other musicians. This will be held on October 12.
Santos later told Babao that Coritha's remains were to be cremated, as she wished.
Santos said Coritha did not want the public to see her physical body lie in repose.
His sister, Dr. Digna Santos, said that a viewing will be held for the singer's cremated remains next weekend in Tagaytay City.
