Fact Check: Is Freddie Aguilar Dead? OPM Legend Addresses Viral Death Hoax

Manila, Philippines — Freddie Aguilar, the Filipino folk icon whose 1978 ballad “Anak” became one of the most translated Asian songs in history, passed away at 1:30 a.m. on 27 May 2025 at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City. He was 72. Attorney George Briones, general counsel of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), confirmed Aguilar’s death, noting that the singer-songwriter succumbed to cardiac arrest following kidney complications and pneumonia. Aguilar had been confined for several days before his condition worsened, according to family sources. Born Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar in 1953, the musician rose to prominence with “Anak,” a poignant narrative about parental love and regret that topped charts across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Over a career spanning five decades, Aguilar released more than a dozen studio albums, championed social justice through protest anthems like “Bayan Ko,” and inspired generations of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) artists. Industry tributes poured in as news of Aguilar’s death spread. Noel Cabangon called him “the conscience of Filipino folk,” while Lea Salonga tweeted that his songs “gave voice to the voiceless and pride to every Filipino.” Radio stations nationwide switched to all-Aguilar playlists, and roadside vendors in Manila’s Quiapo district blasted “Magdalena” and “Ipaglalaban Ko” in his honor. Although Aguilar often courted controversy—most recently for his outspoken political stances—he remained a fixture of cultural life. In 2014 he was appointed presidential adviser on culture; in 2019 he was honored with the ASEAN Lifetime Achievement Award. Family spokesman Jun Aguilar said funeral details will be announced after relatives from the United States arrive. A public wake at the Cultural Center of the Philippines is being planned, followed by interment at Libingan ng mga Bayani, a request reportedly granted by Malacañang in recognition of Aguilar’s “exceptional contribution to national identity.” Search interest in “Freddie Aguilar dead,” “Freddie Aguilar death cause,” and “Freddie Aguilar obituary” spiked within hours of the announcement, reflecting the singer’s enduring global reach. For millions who grew up to the lullaby of “Anak,” Aguilar’s passing marks the end of an era—yet his music, steeped in familial love, patriotism, and social conscience, ensures that his legacy will echo long after the final chords fade.