Imelda Papin


Imelda Arcilla Papin is a Filipino singer and politician. In the late 1970s, her singles “Bakit ” and “Isang Linggong Pag-ibig” reached national radio airplay. She later served as the vice governor of Camarines Sur and was married to Filipino politician Jose Antonio Carrion.

Early life

Papin was born on January 26, 1956, in Presentacion, Camarines Sur. She began her singing career in her home province before relocating to Manila. 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 Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu.

Music career

Papin released her second studio album, Kutob, under Wonderland Records. The album included the track "Bakit?", which charted in the Philippines. 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. She hosted a three-hour telethon on Channel 18 in Los Angeles, one of the earliest Filipino artists to do so. From 2010 to 2012, Papin hosted a television program titled Imelda Papin in America on LA-18, and a radio show titled The Imelda Papin Voice of the Heart.

Political career

In 1995, Papin ran for Governor of Camarines Sur but lost to Luis Villafuerte. 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.
In 2013, the Commission on Elections initially disqualified her from running for congress in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, due to a lack of residency, but reversed its decision on April 25. 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, 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.
In 2024, President Bongbong Marcos appointed her as an acting member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Personal life

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

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

  • Imelda
  • Kutob
  • I Love You, Imelda
  • Imelda Papin
  • Mel
  • Christmas with Imelda Papin
  • Love Is...
  • Songs & Emotions
  • The Woman, The Singer
  • Buhay at Pag-ibig ni Imelda Papin
  • Bakit Ikaw Pa?
  • Dahil Minamahal Kita
  • Phenomenal Hits of Imelda Papin Volume 1
  • Phenomenal Hits of Imelda Papin Volume 2
  • Nag-iisang Imelda
  • Iba Ka Sa Lahat
  • Voice of the Heart
  • Merry Christmas Mahal Ko
  • I Love You
  • ''Bakit?''

Compilation albums

Collaboration albums

  • ''Jukebox King & Queen''

Singles

  • "Ako Ba o Siya"
  • "Ako Nga Ba Ito"
  • "Bakit?"
  • "Bakit Ikaw Pa?"
  • "Bakit Kaya"
  • "Bakit Mo Pa Inibig"
  • "Bawal"
  • "Dalawa Kaming Api
  • "Di Totoo"
  • "Dinggin"
  • "Guhit ng Palad"
  • "Habang May Panahon"
  • "Hinanakit"
  • "Hindi Ko Kaya"
  • "Hindi Maiiwanan"
  • "Iniibig Ko ang Iniibig Mo"
  • "Isang Linggong Pag-ibig"
  • "Kailangan Ko"
  • "Kaligayahan Mo'y, Kaligayahan Ko Rin"
  • "Kapiling Mo, Kasuyo Ko"
  • "Katarungan"
  • "Masakit"
  • "Minsan"
  • "Pinag-isa ng Diyos"
  • "Pinaglaruan"
  • "Sabik"
  • "Sayang Na Sayang"
  • "Taksil"
  • "The Winner Takes It All"
  • "Titig Mo"
  • "Titigan Mo Ako"
  • "Tukso Ka Ba?"
  • "Umaga Na Wala Ka Pa"
  • "We Could Have It All"