Imelda Papin

Imelda Arcilla Papin (born January 26, 1956) is a Filipino singer and politician. Known as the "Sentimental Songstress",^[1] she rose to fame in the late 1970s with hits such as "Bakit (Kung Liligaya Ka sa Piling ng Iba)" and "Isang Linggong Pag-ibig." She later served as the vice governor of Camarines Sur and was married to Filipino politician Jose Antonio Carrion.

Papin was born on January 26, 1956, in Presentacion, Camarines Sur.^[2] She began her singing career in her home province before relocating to Manila. Before gaining wider recognition, she competed in regional singing contests. She attended Bitaogan Elementary School and St. Brigitte School in Buhi. She began her tertiary education at the University of the East and later completed a Bachelor of Science in Commerce at the University of Hawaii.^[3]

Papin released her second studio album, Kutob, in 1978 under Wonderland Records. The album included the track "Bakit?", which became one of her early hits and was considered a major factor in her rise to fame.^[4][5] She continued her recording career throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, releasing multiple studio and compilation albums.

Papin later relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she became a regular performer, frequently appearing at venues such as the Orleans Showroom.^[6] She hosted a three-hour telethon on Channel 18 in Los Angeles, reportedly becoming one of the first Filipino artists to lead such a program. She currently hosts a television program titled Imelda Papin in America on LA-18, and a radio show titled The Imelda Papin Voice of the Heart.

In 1995, Papin ran for Governor of Camarines Sur but lost to Luis Villafuerte.^[7] She was elected Vice Governor in 1998 and served two terms. In 2004, she ran for the congressional seat in Camarines Sur's fourth district but lost to incumbent Felix Alfelor Jr. In 2010, Papin ran for the Philippine Senate under the Bangon Pilipinas party but was unsuccessful.^[8]

In 2013, the Commission on Elections initially disqualified her from running for Congress in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan due to lack of residency, but reversed its decision on April 25.^[9] She lost the election to incumbent Representative Arthur Robes. In 2016, she ran for Congress again in Camarines Sur’s fourth district but was defeated by Representative Arnulfo Fuentebella.

Papin returned to politics in 2019, successfully running for Vice Governor as the running mate of Governor Migz Villafuerte under PDP–Laban, defeating board member Russel Bañes. In 2022, she ran for Governor of Camarines Sur a second time but lost to Luigi Villafuerte.^[10][11]

In 2024, President Bongbong Marcos appointed her as an acting member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.^[12]

Papin was married to former Marinduque Governor Jose Antonio Carrion and had her daughter, Maria France Imelda Carrion. Maria France Imelda Carrion reportedly pursued a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and later worked as a paralegal.^[13]

• Imelda (Wonderland Records, 1978)^[14]
• Kutob (Wonderland Records, 1978)^[15]
• I Love You, Imelda (Wonderland Records, 1979)^[16]
• Imelda Papin (Sunshine, 1980)^[17]
• Mel (Sunshine, 1980)
• Christmas with Imelda Papin (Sunshine, 1980)
• Love Is... (Alpha Records, 1983)
• Songs & Emotions (Emerald Records, 1984)
• The Woman, The Singer (Emerald Records, 1986)
• Buhay at Pag-ibig ni Imelda Papin (Alpha Records, 1992)^[18]
• Bakit Ikaw Pa? (Alpha Records, 1994)
• Dahil Minamahal Kita (D'Concorde, 1999)
• Phenomenal Hits of Imelda Papin Vol. 1 (D'Concorde, 1999)
• Phenomenal Hits of Imelda Papin Vol. 2 (D'Concorde, 1999)
• Nag-iisang Imelda (Galaxy Records/Universal Records, 2001)
• Iba Ka Sa Lahat (Universal Records, 2004)
• Voice of the Heart (618 International, 2008)
• Merry Christmas Mahal Ko (618 International, 2008)
• I Love You (Viva Records/618 International, 2009)
• Bakit? (Universal Records/618 International, 2010)

• Imelda's Favorite Hits (Wonderland Records, 1980)
• Imelda's Greatest Hits (Sunshine, 1981)
• Sabik (Vicor Music, 1994)
• Golden Collection Series: The Best of Imelda Papin (Alpha Records, 2001)
• Once Again... with Didith Reyes, Geraldine and Imelda Papin Vol. 4 (with Didith Reyes & Geraldine) (Vicor Music, 2003)
• Puso Sa Puso (Sunshine/Vicor Music, 2005)
• Greatest Hits (Alpha Music, 2009)

• Jukebox King & Queen (with Victor Wood) (D'Concorde, 1999)

• "Ako Ba o Siya"
• "Ako Nga Ba Ito"
• "Bakit?" (1978, re-recorded as "Bakit? (Kung Liligaya Ka sa Piling ng Iba)" in 2001)
• "Bakit Ikaw Pa?" (originally by Geraldine) (1994)
• "Bakit Kaya"
• "Bakit Mo Pa Inibig"
• "Bawal"
• "Di Totoo"
• "Dinggin"
• "Guhit ng Palad" (2001)
• "Habang May Panahon"
• "Hinanakit"
• "Hindi Ko Kaya" (originally by Richard Reynoso)
• "Hindi Maiiwanan"
• "Iniibig Ko ang Iniibig Mo" (originally by Luz Loreto and then by Mimi Baylon) (1992)
• "Isang Linggong Pag-ibig" (Isang Linggong Pag-ibig movie theme song) (1993)^[18]
• "Kailangan Ko"
• "Kaligayahan Mo'y, Kaligayahan Ko Rin" (1983)
• "Kapiling Mo, Kasuyo Ko"
• "Katarungan"
• "Masakit"
• "Minsan" (originally by Bert Dominic)
• "Pinag-isa ng Diyos"
• "Pinaglaruan"
• "Sabik" (1981)
• "Sayang Na Sayang"
• "Taksil"
• "The Winner Takes It All" (originally by ABBA)
• "Titig Mo" (1999)
• "Titigan Mo Ako" (originally by Baby Shake Rico) (2010)
• "Tukso Ka Ba?" (D' Originals theme song) (2017)
• "Umaga Na Wala Ka Pa" (originally by Eva Eugenio) (1999)
• "We Could Have It All" (originally by Maureen McGovern)

• Imelda Papin: Manchester shares showroom with Filipino star
• OPM profile