Aware si Pilita Corrales sa mga naglabasang ulat at radio/TV interviews ni Lotlot de Leon, ex-wife ng anak niyang si Ramon Christopher. Pero taliwas sa maaaring inaasahan ng marami, walang masamang sinabi si Pilita tungkol kay Lotlot.

"Sa akin naman, walang conflict. It's just that hindi kami nagkikita, pero walang conflict," banggit ng Asia's Queen of Song sa exclusive interview sa kanya ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), sa Quezon City studio ng TV5 celebrity talk show na Jojo All The Way, last Thursday, October 7.

Kumusta naman ang kanyang bunsong anak na si Monching?

"Okay naman, he's with the four kids," sabi ng kinikilalang "Mamita" ng mga anak nina Lotlot na sina Jenine, Jessica, Maxene, at Diego.

"They live with Monching, but almost every day, they're with Lotlot also.  They visit Lotlot pag there's no school. So, at least, maganda [ang arrangement]."

CUSTODY ISSUE. Sa mga ulat ay nabanggit na labis na ikinasasama ng loob ni Lotlot ang diumano'y sinasabi ni Pilita na may "full custody" na si Monching sa mga anak nila. Bagay na itinanggi naman ni Pilita. 

Aniya, "Wala naman akong sinasabi. Tapos, nilahukan...kesyo umiyak daw si Lotlot, mga gano'n.

"Ang sinabi ko lang naman, yung totoo, that she left the house, pero... Ngayon, dapat that should be a closed book na, e. Wala nang ganyanan dapat."

For the record, hiningi pa rin ng PEP ang statement ni Pilita hinggil sa custody issue, o kung may binitiwan nga ba siyang pahayag na hindi pabor sa dating manugang. 

"Never!" mariing wika ng veteran singer.

Matatandaang noong April 2008 ay na-grant ng Quezon City courts ang annulment ng marriage nina Lotlot at Monching, matapos ang labing-siyam na taon mula nang sila'y maikasal noong Marso 27, 1989, sa Club Filipino, San Juan.

Lotlot filed for the nullity of their marriage a year before. Pero ilang taon nang hiwalay sina Lotlot at Monching bago naihain sa korte ang pormal na petisyon ng pagsasawalang-bisa ng naturang kasal.

"Actually, within the law," pahayag ni Pilita, "if a woman leaves the house, she actually loses the right [to her children]. Pero with them [Lotlot and Monching], they are able to talk amicably. Parang gano'n, nagpirmahan sila. 

"So, it was very difficult for the kids, tapos ang tatay lang [ang nagtataguyod]. At least, now... Sometimes, Lotlot takes the kids to the doctor, gano'n. Very close naman sila, which is clear. 

"Wala naman akong sinabi. Keep quiet na lang. Sabi nga ni Monching, 'Ma, please don't say anything anymore.'"

Pero isa si Pilita sa mga beteranang showbiz celebrities na ang imahe ay she has a mind of her own and speaks her mind.

"Because I think somebody must have told her [Lotlot] na...maybe, somebody said that she's not a good mother. Which is never said by me!

"Kung kanino galing 'yon, hindi ko alam. I will never say that. Meron lang [nanggagatong] para lumaki lang ulit [ang issue]. Pero walang kuwenta 'yon," nakangiting sabi pa ni Pilita.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDEE. Having said her piece on the Lotlot-Monching controversy, PEP moved on to another topic and congratulated Pilita for being this year's recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award sa ikalawang taon ng Star Awards for Music. Ang parangal ay kaloob ng Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC).

"Ay, thank you naman! Thank you naman!" masiglang pagtanggap ni Pilita sa aming pagbati. "I've been singing for so long na kasi."

Having recorded more than a hundred albums and done sold-out concerts here and abroad, isa na ring icon sa music industry si Pilita.

"Ay, nakakahiya 'yang mga icon-icon," reaksiyon naman ni Pilita. "You know, receiving an award is always very special to anybody, especially for me. During those years [starting in the 1960's], I've received so many awards, but this is the first award for music.

"So, for me, it's really a great honor because it is for music. It is my life! My life is music. My life is learning songs. My life is recording. 

"So, for me, this is probably one of the best awards I will be receiving. It is really the one for music.

"So, I want to thank the group, the Philippine Movie Press Club, for honoring me with this award. Thank you very, very much! God bless you all!"