Coritha

Socorro Avelino (June 27, 1951 – September 27, 2024 ), commonly known professionally by the mononym Coritha, was a Filipino folk singer. She is best known for the 1979 song "Oras Na", and other songs such as "Sierra Madre" and "Lolo Jose".

Career Coritha popularized the songs "Oras Na" and "Sierra Madre" in the 1970s. She also performed "Awit Kay Leandro" , "Gising na, O Kuya Ko" and "Lolo Jose" . Peaking in the 1960s and 1970s, she is noted for her folk-country songs which devises native Philippine instruments.

"Lolo Jose" was an own composition which was an entry at the Metro Pop Songwriting Contest. She is also a recipient of two Cecil awards for Best Folk-Pop Song and Best Folk-Pop Vocal Performance.

The song "Oras Na" was used a protest anthem in the 2001 EDSA Revolution which deposed president Joseph Estrada. Coritha personally took part in the protests. The song composed in 1978 and released a year later was made during the Martial law era under president and dictator, Ferdinand Marcos. The song, particularly the line Ang takot ay nasa isip lamang was also referenced by Corazon Aquino in a rally against Marcos in 1986. It was also used as a theme for the 2018 film BuyBust. Coritha's remains were subsequently cremated. She first met Santos in the 1980s during a concert in Escolta. Following the fire, she lived in Santos's residence in Tagaytay in Cavite until her death. She also had a sister and a brother.