Roel Cortez
Roel Cortez (born Roel Corpuz, July 30, 1967 - April 1, 2015) was a Filipino singer and songwriter who rose to fame in the 1980s due to his Tagalog hit songs such as "Napakasakit, Kuya Eddie", "Dalagang Probinsyana", "Pinay sa Japan", and "Bakit Ako'y Sinaktan".
He also has songs like "Baleleng" (Tagalog version), "Iniibig Kita" and "Sa Mata Makikita". Universal Records in the Philippines released a compilation album entitled The Best of Roel Cortez with a videoke edition.
Early life
Roel Cortez was born Roel Corpuz in the Philippines in 1967. The youngest of the six children of Seferino and Felicisima Corpuz, he left home at the age of 16, due to his parents not allowing him to pursue a music career - but he decided to anyway. However, he would remain separated from his family for the rest of his life.
Musical career
In 1984, he had a massive hit in his home country with "Napakasakit, Kuya Eddie?", on the 'Universal Records' label, which also became something of an anthem for overseas Filipino workers. By then, he had changed his surname to Cortez, and he married Corazon, with whom he went on to have seven children. Through his music, he was also able to finance a Civil Engineering course for his wife at the Technological Institute of the Philippines. Together, they started "CPC Builders", based in Marilao, Bulacan. He also found fame with his 'tagalong' version of "Baleleng", and with "Iniibig Kita" (featured in this Jam). In 1992, Universal Records released "The Best of Roel Cortez" as an album containing 16 tracks, including those three biggest hits.
