Freddie Aguilar

Filipino musician (1953–2025)

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal  family name is Pascual and the surname or paternal family name is Aguilar.

Freddie Aguilar

Aguilar performing in 1988

Born|

Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar

(1953-02-05)February 5, 1953

Santo Tomas, Isabela, Philippines

Died| May 27, 2025(2025-05-27) (aged 72)

Quezon City, Philippines

Burial place| Manila Islamic Cemetery
Other names| Abdul Farid
Occupations|

* Musician
* singer
* songwriter

Years active| 1973–2025
Political party| Partido Federal ng Pilipinas
Spouses|

* Marilyn Angelo

(annulled)​

* Josephine Queipo

(divorced)​

* Antonette Martinez

(m. 2000; div. 2005)​

* Jovie Albao

(m. 2013)​

Partner|

Marilyn Angelo

(separated)​

Children| 6 (4 with Queipo)
Musical career
Genres|

* Folk
* Manila sound
* OPM

Instruments|

* Vocals
* guitar
* bass guitar

Labels|

* Vicor Music/Sunshine
* RCA

Musical artist

Ferdinand "Freddie" Pascual Aguilar (Tagalog: [pɐsˈkwal ʔɐɣɪˈlaɾ]; February 5, 1953 – May 27, 2025), also known by his Muslim name Abdul Farid, was a Filipino musician regarded as one of the pillars and icons of Original Pilipino Music (OPM). He was best known for his international hit, "Anak" (1978), which became the best-selling Philippine music record of all time, selling 33 million copies worldwide, and the only Filipino song translated into 51 languages. His rendition of "Bayan Ko" became the anthem of the opposition against the regime of Ferdinand Marcos during the 1986 People Power Revolution. He was heavily associated with Pinoy rock.

## Early life

[edit]

Aguilar was born on February 5, 1953, in Santo Tomas, Isabela. He began composing his own songs at age 14.[1] Aguilar studied electrical engineering at De Guzman Institute of Technology but did not finish the degree program. Instead he pursued music, became a street musician, and then a folk club and bar musician.[2] At the age of 18, Aguilar parted ways with his family and quit college;[3] he started performing on stage at age 20.[1] After realizing and regretting his mistakes five years after quitting college, he composed the song "Anak."[3]

## Career

[edit]

Aguilar first began performing in public in 1973, when he auditioned and was hired to play folk songs at ₱500 per gig at the Hobbit House in Ermita, Manila.[4]

### International acclaim

[edit]

Aguilar's "Anak" not only broke the Philippine record charts in 1979, but it also hit the no. 1 spot in Japan and achieved considerable popularity in other countries as Angola, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and parts of Western Europe.[5] The song has become so famous that, by some counts, it has been recorded in as many as a hundred versions in 23 languages throughout the world.[6] Billboard reported that the song was the number two world hit of the 1980s. According to Billboard, Aguilar was the second best-selling recording artist of 1981 in Europe.[7] As of 2006, it was unsurpassed as the highest-selling record in Philippine music history.[8]

### Political activism

[edit]

Even before Aguilar's rendition of "Bayan Ko," Aguilar created and performed songs targeted at social injustices. His album Magdalena included the title track about a girl forced into prostitution due to poverty, and "Mindanao", about the Christian-Muslim clashes in that island. After the album, Aguilar also sang about the injustices suffered by the powerless, poverty, and the arrogance of superpowers in a song titled "U.S.A., Russia"[2]

Five years after the composition of "Anak", Aguilar joined protests against the Marcos regime and began writing and performing songs that criticized the excesses of the government.[5] Some of the songs that caused him to be banned from mainstream media include: "Kata-rungan" (lit. 'Justice') speaking for the unjustly accused, "Pangako" (lit. 'Promise') a leader's unfulfilled pledges to an abandoned people, and "Luzviminda", a portmanteau for the country's three major island groups—Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—calling on Filipinos to wake up to the reality of oppression. One of the songs he was most remembered for during that time was his interpretation of "Bayan Ko" (lit. 'My Country'), in which he added a verse to the original piece.[9]

### "Bayan Ko" (My Country)

[edit]

In 1978, Aguilar first recorded "Bayan Ko" in a patriotic effort to, in his words, "jolt back those who were starting to forget who we really are."[5] He also provided a rendition of the song as it was inspiring and gave him excitement and a surge of power.[10] The song was originally composed in 1928 by Constancio de Guzman, with lyrics by poet Jose Corazon de Jesus, during a time of struggle for Philippine independence from US occupation.[11] It emerged once again during the Marcos regime as the unofficial anthem of the emergent "people" of the "People Power", the new democratic nation opposed to authoritarianism that was widely credited with the deposing of Ferdinand Marcos.[5] In 1983, the assassination of Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino triggered massive demonstrations against the Marcos dictatorship, and Aguilar's rendition of "Bayan Ko" was blared on the radio and speakers mounted on jeepneys throughout the streets of Manila and the provinces of the Philippines.[11] At the funeral of Senator Aquino, Freddie Aguilar sang "Bayan Ko" and felt that Aquino was a man of action who even gave his life for the freedom of the Philippines.[12] During the performance, Freddie Aguilar did not feel scared anymore and felt strong and confident.[10] He then decided to join the cause as well.[12] Aguilar, along with APO Hiking Society and other Pinoy pop musicians who took a stand against dictatorship, joined other protest singers in music and street performances as part of the anti-Marcos rallies.[11]

A few years later, Aguilar campaigned for the presidential candidacy of Corazon Aquino in the national election that would lead to the 1986 revolt.[5]

Aguilar mentioned in an interview with ABS-CBN News that the lyrics of the song combines the love the Filipinos have for their country, commemorate the Aquino family, and commitment to the country.[10] Even in this modern time, Filipinos will identify "Bayan Ko" as the nation's protest anthem.[11]

### Later life

[edit]

On January 18, 2008, Aguilar received the Asia Star Award from the Asia Model Award Festival in South Korea.[13] Aguilar still lived in the Philippines, and continued to perform. He moved to his own place dubbed "Ka Freddie's". He always had a strong following in the Philippines and among many Filipinos living overseas. Aguilar advocated for the creation of a new department called the "Department of Culture and Arts."[14] During the campaign and subsequent inauguration of President Rodrigo Duterte, Aguilar performed "Para sa Tunay na Pagbabago", which was one of Duterte's campaign jingles to the tune of "Ipaglalaban Ko".[15] Aguilar was President Duterte's favorite singer.[16] Aguilar ran for senator in 2019.[17] Though running as an independent candidate, his candidacy was endorsed by President Duterte.[18] However, he lost, placing 30th out of 12 seats up for election.[19] In his later years, Aguilar served as National Executive Vice President of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.[20]

## Artistry

[edit]

Aguilar is a key figure of Pinoy rock.[21] He has cited British and American folk-rock stars like Cat Stevens and James Taylor as musical influences.[2] His works emphasize themes of Filipino heritage, nationalist feelings, and tried to constitute a musical exploration of the Filipino ethos.[2]

Aguilar's signature look was a fedora over his long hair.[22]

## Personal life

[edit]

Aguilar with his sister Marlene, circa 2002

### Romantic relationships with children

[edit]

Aguilar has been with four women throughout his life. Aguilar married Marilyn Angelo in Olongapo. However this marriage was void since the priest did not have an appropriate license.[23] After his voided union with Angelo, Aguilar married Josephine Queipo in London but later separated in 1997.[24] The marriage lasted for 22 years until Aguilar divorced Queipo.[23] In the late 1990s, Aguilar became the boyfriend of then-17 year old Antonette Martinez. At age 19, Martinez married Aguilar in Las Vegas in 2000. They divorced after five years.[23]

Throughout his life, Aguilar fathered six children with three different women.[25][26] Four of them are with Queipo.[27] This includes Maegan who became a rock singer in the 1990s.[28]

On October 17, 2013, Aguilar openly admitted, in spite of controversy that followed,[29] that he was in a relationship with a 16-year-old girl, Jovie Gatdula Albao (Muslim name: Sittie Mariam), with plans to marry and even have children, as Albao insisted she was willing to have a baby.[30][31][32]

On November 22, 2013, Aguilar, under Islamic rites, married Albao in Buluan, Maguindanao.[33] Aguilar had converted to Islam six months prior to these reports, so that he could marry his then 16-year-old girlfriend[34] under the Muslim Family Code of the Philippines.[35]

### Religion

[edit]

Aguilar was born into a Roman Catholic family. Already a famous musician, he joined the Born Again Christian community,[36] and was a self-described "Born-Again Catholic".[23] He then converted to Islam prior to his marriage to his last wife Albao, Aguilar. He adopted Abdul Farid as his Muslim name.[37][38] He spoke about his conversion at the 14th Dubai Ramadan Forum in June 2015 in Dubai which also featured preacher Sheikh Nadhir Oquindo.[36]

### 2018 fire

[edit]

On January 3, 2018, Aguilar's residence in North Fairview, Quezon City, was destroyed by a fire, which was reported to have started in his music room.[39] The fire destroyed most of Aguilar's valuables estimated at ₱15 million, including his art collection, awards, musical instruments, records, and other personal memorabilia. Aguilar was at his restobar, Ka Freddie's, along Tomas Morato Avenue, during the fire. There were no casualties in the fire.[40]

## Death

[edit]

Aguilar died from multiple organ failure at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City, on May 27, 2025, at the age of 72.[41][42] In accordance with Islamic rites, he was buried that same day at Manila Islamic Cemetery (a part of Manila South Cemetery).[43]

## Discography

[edit]

### Studio albums

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Record label

|
|

1978  | Anak | Vicor Music/Sunshine

* Anak
* Kasaysayan
* Buhay Nga Naman Ng Tao
* Pagibig
* Alaala
* Pulubi
* Katamaran
* Anak Ng Mahirap
* Ikaw Ba'y Pilipino
* Naglaho
* Anak (Reprise)

1979  | Freddie Aguilar | PDU

* A1 ||Ina|| 3:25
* A2 ||La Vittima Son Io ||3:12
* A3 |Ad Occhi Chiusu || 3:30
* A4 || Goddess || 5:00
* B1 || Un Bambino || 3:35
* B2 ||It's No Shame || 4:12
* B3 ||Alaala|| 4:15
* B4 ||Katamarano|| 3:24

1980  | Diyosa | Ugat Tunog ng Lahi/Vicor Music
1980  | Freddie Aguilar (US release)  | RCA Records
1983  | Magdalena | G. Records International
1987  | Freddie Aguilar – Anak – Double "Best Of" Album | Panarecord International [44]
1987  | EDSA | Ivory Music
1988  | Sariling Atin | Alpha Music
1989  | Hala Bira[45] | Alpha Music
1990  | Heart of Asia[46] | OctoArts International
1991  | Freddie Aguilar | AMP
1992[47] | Kumusta Ka, | Aguilar Music, Vicor Music
1992  | Pagbabalik Himig | Vicor Music
1993  | Minamahal Kita | Alpha Music
1994  | Anak (CD re-issue)  | Vicor Music
1994  | Diwa ng Pasko | Alpha Music
2000  | Greencard[48] | D'Concorde Recording

### Compilation albums

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Record label

|
|

1992  | Fifteen Years of Freddie Aguilar: Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 | Aguilar Music
1995  | The Best of Freddie Aguilar | Alpha Music
1997  | Freddie Aguilar ...Live! Global Tour | Aguilar Music, Vicor Music [49]

## Singles

[edit]

In chronological order:

* 1976 "Alaala"
* 1978 "Anak"
* 1978 "Bayan Ko"
* 1980 "Pulubi"
* 1980 "Bulag, Pipi at Bingi"
* 1981 "Ang Buhay Nga Naman Ng Tao"
* 1983 "Magdalena"
* 1983 "Mindanao"
* 1984 "Pinoy"
* 1985 "Mga Bata Sa Negros"
* 1985 "Ipaglalaban Ko"
* 1986 "Katarungan"
* 1987 "'Di Ka Nag-iisa"
* 1988 "Estudyante Blues"
* 1989 "Luzviminda"
* 1989 "Pangako"
* 1993 "Minamahal Kita"
* 1994 "Kumusta Ka"
* 1994 "Pasko ang Damdamin"
* 1994 "Sa Paskong Darating"
* 1994 "Himig Pasko"
* 1994 "Diwa Ng Pasko"
* 1994 "Pasko Na Naman Kaibigan"
* 1994 "Mga Pilipino Kong Mahal"
* 1994 "Ang Bansa Kong Maligaya"

### Music videos

[edit]

* "Anak" (1980 original by Tops of the Pops TV program in the Netherlands)
* "Sa Ngalan ng Ama" (1980)
* "Magdalena" (1984)
* "Batang Paslit" (2000)[48]

## Awards

[edit]

Year | Award-giving body | Category | Nominated work | Results

|
|
|
|

1992 | Ampex Corporation | Ampex Golden Reel Award[47] | "Kumusta Ka" | Won
1993 | 6th Awit Awards | Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino[50] | — | Won
1994 | NU Rock Awards | Rock Achievement Award | — | Won
2001 | Pinoy Musika Awards | Special Citation[51] | "Anak" | Won

## See also

[edit]

* Philippine folk music
* People Power Revolution

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Ka Freddie's - Biography". freddieanakaguilar.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
2. ^ a b c d Lockard, Craig A. (1998). Dance of life: popular music and politics in Southeast Asia. University of Hawaii. p. 144. ISBN 0-8248-1918-7. Retrieved July 3, 2009. "anak freddie."
3. ^ a b Freddie: I wrote Anak to atone my sins Philstar (June 10, 2017). Retrieved January 4, 2018.
4. ^ "Freddie Aguilar and his enduring 'Hobbit'". Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc. June 29, 1989. p. 26. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
5. ^ a b c d e Tadiar, Neferti X. M. (2009). "Popular Laments". Cultural Studies. 23 (1): 1–26\. doi:10.1080/09502380701702482. S2CID 147004919.
6. ^ Caruncho, Eric S., Eric S. Caruncho
7. ^ Manila Standard. Manila Standard. 1983. p. 18.
8. ^ Dot Ramos Balasbas-Gancayco (December 12, 2006). "Still up on his toes (an interview with Freddie Aguilar)". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012.
9. ^ Poblete, Johanna D. (August 7, 2009), "Songs of Freedom", Weekender, pp. S4/1
10. ^ a b c "'Bayan Ko' has a long history". ABS-CBN News. June 24, 2010.
11. ^ a b c d Maceda, Teresita Gemenez (2007). "Problematizing the popular: the dynamics of Pinoy pop(ular) music and popular protest music". Inter-Asia Cultural Studies. 8 (3): 390–413\. doi:10.1080/14649370701393766. S2CID 143833840.
12. ^ a b Dancing to the Tune of the Revolution: 5 songs of EDSA
13. ^ "Iza Calzado bags Asian model award in Korea". GMA News. January 21, 2008.
14. ^ Serato, Arniel (July 15, 2016). "Freddie Aguilar appointed as new NCCA commissioner by President Rodrigo Duterte" (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on June 22, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
15. ^ "Freddie Aguilar at the peak of his career". s3.amazonaws.com. June 30, 1994. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
16. ^ "At Duterte inauguration, Freddie Aguilar sings about 'tunay na pagbabago'". GMA News. June 30, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
17. ^ "Freddie Aguilar files Senate candidacy for 2019 polls". Philstar.com. October 11, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
18. ^ Robles, Pia (November 5, 2018). "Duterte endorses Freddie Aguilar as senator: 'He's exemplary'". Rappler. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
19. ^ Afinidad-Bernardo, Deni Rose (May 14, 2019). "Freddie Aguilar thanks over 2M voters for trust". Philstar.com. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
20. ^ Saulog, Gabriel (May 27, 2025). "Filipino Folk Icon Freddie Aguilar Passes Away At Age 72". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
21. ^ Dorian, Frederick; Simon Broughton; Mark Ellingham; James McConnachie; Richard Trillo; Orla Duane (2000). World Music: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides. p. 216\. ISBN 1-85828-636-0. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
22. ^ Janimonow (May 28, 2025). "Freddie Aguilar, Beloved OPM Trailblazer, Dies at 72 from Organ Failure". The Manila Journal. Archived from the original on May 28, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
23. ^ a b c d Policarpio, Allan (November 2, 2013). "Ka Freddie considers converting to Islam to be able to marry young GF". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
24. ^ "Maegan Aguilar: 'Ang tatay ko nagpapanggap na dakilang ama'". Yahoo News (in English and Filipino). May 22, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
25. ^ Domingo, Gay Ace (May 27, 2025). "Freddie Aguilar lives on through 'Anak'". Malaya Business Insight. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
26. ^ Lo, Ricky (June 9, 2017). "Freddie: I wrote Anak to atone for my sins". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
27. ^ Pagulong, Charmie Joy (May 28, 2025). "Freddie Aguilar, Pinoy folk legend, 72". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
28. ^ "Maegan Aguilar has debut album". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. October 31, 1994. p. 25. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
29. ^ "Twittterverse slams Freddie Aguilar for relationship with 16-year-old girl". InterAksyon. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
30. ^ "Freddie Aguilar ready to marry 16-year-old GF". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
31. ^ "Freddie Aguilar to Marry 16-Year-Old GF who Wants to Have a Baby". Philnews.ph. October 17, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
32. ^ "60-year-old legendary singer Freddie Aguilar is helplessly in love with 16-year-old girlfriend". PEP.ph. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
33. ^ Diola, Camille. "Now a Muslim, Freddie Aguilar marries 16-year-old". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
34. ^ "Why Freddie, 16-year-old GF can marry as Muslims". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
35. ^ "Filipino 'Anak' singer Aguilar dies aged 72". France 24. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
36. ^ a b "Filipinos hear former singer Freddie Aguilar's journey to Islam". Khaleej Times. September 28, 2015. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
37. ^ "Freddie Aguilar as Abdul Farid Wedding Photos with 16-Year-Old GF". Philnews.ph. August 9, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
38. ^ "Teen explains why she married Freddie Aguilar". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
39. ^ Jalea, Mary Gleefer (January 4, 2018). "Singer Freddie Aguilar loses QC home, belongings to fire". The Manila Times. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
40. ^ Enano, Jhesset (January 4, 2018). "Fire guts Freddie Aguilar's QC house". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
41. ^ "Freddie Aguilar died of multiple organ failure, says former partner Josephine Quiepo". GMA News. May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
42. ^ "Folk singer Freddie Aguilar dead at 72". Manila Standard. May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
43. ^ "Freddie Aguilar laid to rest at Manila Islamic Cemetery". GMA Integrated News. May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
44. ^ "Freddie Aguilar – Anak – Double "Best Of" Album (1987, CD)". 1987 - via www.discogs.com.
45. ^ "Freddie Aguilar releases 'Hala Bira'". Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc. August 1, 1989. p. 26. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
46. ^ "Freddie's album released". Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc. November 3, 1990. p. 17. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
47. ^ a b "3 female Pinoy folk singers with Freddie Aguilar". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. December 19, 1992. p. 19. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
48. ^ a b "Freddie Aguilar visits SM record bars". Philippine Daily Inquirer. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. August 6, 2000. p. B6. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
49. ^ "Freddie Aguilar – Freddie Aguilar ...Live! Global Tour (1997, CD)". 1997 - via www.discogs.com.
50. ^ "Awit's 'Dangal' award given to Freddie Aguilar". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. June 24, 1993. p. 18. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
51. ^ "Pinoy Musika Awards 2001". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. November 20, 2001. p. 20. Retrieved May 27, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Freddie Aguilar at IMDb
* Recordings on WhiteAlien website of Freddie live at Ka Freddie's
* Freddie Aguilar at Last.fm
* Freddie Aguilar discography at Discogs

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States
* France
* BnF data
* Korea

Artists|

* MusicBrainz

*[m.]: married
*[div.]: divorced
*[lit.]: literal translation