‘Anak’ Legend Freddie Aguilar: The Timeless Hit Driving Today’s Viral Comeback

Manila — Pumanaw na ang Filipino folk legend na si Freddie Aguilar ngayong Martes, 27 Mayo 2025, bandang 1:30 a.m. sa Philippine Heart Center sa Quezon City, ayon kay Atty. George Briones ng Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP). Siya ay 72 taóng gulang. Inulat ng medical team na cardiac arrest na pinalala ng kidney complications at pulmonya ang sanhi ng kamatayan. Si “Ka Freddie,” kilala sa timeless hit na “Anak,” ay naging mukha ng Original Pilipino Music simula nang ilabas niya ang awiting iyon noong 1978. Umabot sa mahigit 30 milyong kopya ang benta ng kanta sa buong mundo at naisalin sa mahigit 20 wika, dahilan upang maituring itong isa sa mga pinakamalaking Asian pop singles kailanman. Sinundan niya ito ng mga temang panlipunan tulad ng “Bayan Ko,” “Magdalena,” at “Mindanao,” na patuloy na ginawang himig ng mga protesta at kilusang makabayan. Ipinanganak siya noong 5 Pebrero 1953 sa Ilagan, Isabela, at nagsimulang mag-gitara sa edad na 9. Bago sumikat, tumugtog siya sa mga folk house sa Manila, kung saan nadiskubre ang kaniyang matapang na tinig at mapanghimagsik na liriko. Kalaunan ay ginawaran siya ng Aliw Awards Entertainer of the Year at naging kauna-unahang Filipino na tumugtog sa UNESCO Benefit Concert sa Paris. Maliban sa musika, naging aktibo rin si Aguilar sa pulitika, sumuporta sa mga repormang pabor sa mahihirap at nagsilbing National Executive Vice President ng PFP. Taóng 2016 ay hinirang siyang commissioner ng National Commission for Culture and the Arts, at patuloy na nagtanghal sa mga probinsiya upang ilapit ang OPM sa bagong henerasyon. Nagpupugay ang buong industriya: bumuhos ang pakikiramay mula kina Lea Salonga, Gary Valenciano, at Ben&Ben sa social media gamit ang hashtag #RIPFreddieAguilar. Nakatakdang isapubliko ng pamilya ang detalye ng burol, na posibleng idaos sa Heritage Memorial Park sa Taguig. Inaabangang maglunsad ng tribute concert ang mga pangunahing OPM artist upang gunitain ang kaniyang limang dekadang ambag sa musika. Sa pagpanaw ni Freddie Aguilar, nagwakas man ang pasiklaban sa entablado, mananatili sa alaala ng mundo ang kaniyang mga awit na nagmulat, nagpagaling at nagbuklod sa sambayanang Pilipino. — English Translation — Manila — Filipino folk legend Freddie Aguilar passed away early Tuesday, 27 May 2025, at around 1:30 a.m. at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City, lawyer George Briones of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) confirmed. He was 72. Doctors cited cardiac arrest aggravated by kidney complications and pneumonia as the cause of death. Known affectionately as “Ka Freddie,” Aguilar catapulted Original Pilipino Music onto the world stage with his 1978 classic “Anak.” The song sold over 30 million copies worldwide, was translated into more than 20 languages, and remains one of Asia’s best-selling pop singles. He followed up with socially charged tracks like “Bayan Ko,” “Magdalena,” and “Mindanao,” which became anthems of protest and nationalism. Born 5 February 1953 in Ilagan, Isabela, Aguilar picked up the guitar at nine and played Manila’s folk houses before discovery. Awards poured in, including the Aliw Awards Entertainer of the Year, and he became the first Filipino to perform at a UNESCO Benefit Concert in Paris. Beyond music, Aguilar was politically involved, championing grassroots reforms and serving as National Executive Vice President of PFP. In 2016 he was appointed commissioner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, touring provincial stages to bring folk music to new audiences. Tributes have flooded social media: Lea Salonga, Gary Valenciano, and indie band Ben&Ben posted condolences under the hashtag #RIPFreddieAguilar. The family is expected to release wake details, likely at Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig, while OPM luminaries are planning a tribute concert celebrating his five-decade legacy. Freddie Aguilar may have taken his final bow, but his songs that opened minds, healed hearts, and united Filipinos will echo for generations.