Freddie Aguilar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Freddie Aguilar
Aguilar in Tondo, Manila, Philippines, 1988
Background information
Birth name	Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar
Also known as	Ka Freddie, Abdul Farid, Baludoy
Born	(1953-02-05)February 5, 1953 Santo Tomas, Isabela, Philippines
Died	May 27, 2025(2025-05-27) (aged 72) Quezon City, Philippines
Genres	Folk, Manila sound, OPM
Occupation(s)	Musician, Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, bass guitar
Years active	1973–2025
Labels	Vicor Music/Sunshine, RCA

Ferdinand Pascual "Freddie" Aguilar (born February 5, 1953 – died May 27, 2025) was a famous Filipino musician and songwriter. He is known as one of the most important figures in Original Pilipino Music (OPM). He became famous worldwide for his song "Anak". This song sold 33 million copies around the world. It is the only Filipino song translated into 51 different languages.

Freddie Aguilar was also well-known for his version of "Bayan Ko". This song became a symbol of protest against the government of Ferdinand Marcos during the 1986 People Power Revolution. He was also closely linked to Pinoy rock, a type of rock music from the Philippines.

Freddie Aguilar's Early Life

Freddie Aguilar was born on February 5, 1953, in Santo Tomas, Isabela, Philippines. He started writing his own songs when he was just 14 years old. He studied Electrical Engineering in college but decided not to finish his degree.

Instead, he chose to follow his passion for music. He became a street musician and later played in folk clubs and bars. At 18, he left his family and college to pursue music. He began performing on stage at age 20. Five years after leaving college, he wrote his most famous song, "Anak". He wrote it because he thought about his past choices.

Freddie Aguilar's Music Career

Freddie Aguilar began performing for the public in 1973. He got a job playing folk songs at the Hobbit House in Ermita, Manila.

"Anak": A Worldwide Hit Song

Freddie Aguilar's song "Anak" became a huge hit in 1979. It reached number one in Japan and was very popular in many other countries. These included Angola, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and parts of Western Europe. The song became so famous that it was recorded in about a hundred different versions. It was also translated into 23 languages.

Billboard magazine said "Anak" was the second biggest world hit of the 1980s. In 1981, Billboard also reported that Aguilar was the second best-selling recording artist in Europe. As of 2006, "Anak" was still the highest-selling Philippine music record ever.

Singing for Change: Political Activism

Even before his famous version of "Bayan Ko," Freddie Aguilar wrote songs about social problems. After his album Magdalena, he sang about the difficulties faced by people without power. He also sang about poverty and the pride of powerful countries.

Five years after writing "Anak," Freddie Aguilar joined protests against the Marcos government. He started writing and performing songs that criticized the government's actions. Some of these songs were banned from mainstream media. These included "Kata-rungan" (meaning "Justice"), "Pangako" ("Promise"), and "Luzvi-minda". "Luzvi-minda" is a name for the three main island groups of the Philippines. It called on Filipinos to understand the reality of unfair treatment.

"Bayan Ko": An Anthem for Freedom

In 1978, Aguilar first recorded "Bayan Ko" (meaning "My Country"). He wanted to remind Filipinos of their identity. The song was originally written in 1928 by Constancio de Guzman. The lyrics were by poet Jose Corazon de Jesus. It was created during the time when the Philippines was fighting for independence from the US.

The song became important again during the Marcos era. It became the unofficial song of the "People Power" movement. This movement was against the government and led to the removal of Ferdinand Marcos. In 1983, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino was assassinated. This led to huge protests against the Marcos government. Aguilar's version of "Bayan Ko" was played everywhere. It was heard on radios and from speakers on jeepneys in Manila and other provinces.

At Senator Aquino's funeral, Freddie Aguilar sang "Bayan Ko." He felt strong and confident during the performance. He then decided to join the cause against the government. Aguilar, along with other Filipino musicians, joined protest singers in street performances. They were part of the anti-Marcos rallies. A few years later, Aguilar supported Corazon Aquino for president. This election led to the 1986 revolt.

Aguilar said in an interview that the song's lyrics show the love Filipinos have for their country. Even today, "Bayan Ko" is known as the nation's protest song.

Later Years and Legacy

On January 18, 2008, Freddie Aguilar received the Asia Star Award. This award was given at the Asia Model Award Festival in South Korea.

Aguilar continued to live and perform in the Philippines. He had a strong fan base in the Philippines and among Filipinos living overseas. He also supported the creation of a new government department for "Culture and Arts." During the campaign of president Rodrigo Duterte, Aguilar performed a campaign song. President Duterte considered Aguilar his favorite singer.

Aguilar ran for senator in 2019. President Duterte supported his campaign. However, Aguilar did not win a seat.

Freddie's Music Style

Freddie Aguilar is a very important artist in Pinoy rock. He said that British and American folk-rock stars like Cat Stevens and James Taylor influenced his music. His songs often focused on Filipino heritage and national pride. He explored what it means to be Filipino through his music.

His Family and Later Life Events

Aguilar with his sister Marlene, around 2002

In 1978, Freddie Aguilar married Josephine Queipo. They had four children together: Maegan, Jonan, Isabella, and Jeriko.

On October 17, 2013, Aguilar shared that he was in a relationship with Jovi Gatdula Albao. They planned to get married. On November 22, 2013, Aguilar married his partner in Buluan, Maguindanao. He had converted to Islam six months before their wedding. His Muslim name became Abdul Farid.

On January 3, 2018, a fire destroyed Aguilar's home in North Fairview, Quezon City. The fire reportedly started in his music room. It destroyed most of his valuable items, including his art collection, awards, musical instruments, and personal memories. Aguilar was at his bar and restaurant, "Ka Freddie's," during the fire. His wife, son Jonan, and mother-in-law were home but escaped safely with help from neighbors.

Freddie Aguilar passed away on May 27, 2025. He was 72 years old. He died at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City.

Freddie Aguilar's Music

Albums and Songs

In chronological order, here are some of his singles:

Films and Music Videos

• Tadhana (1978); he worked as a composer for this film.

Here are some of his music videos:

• Anak (1980 original by Tops Of The Pops TV Variety Program In The Netherlands, new live version recorded by MYX Live in 2005)
• Sa Ngalan Ng Ama (1980)
• Magdalena (1984)

Awards and Recognition

See Also

In Spanish: Freddie Aguilar para niños

• Philippine folk music
• People Power Revolution