Veteran singer and songwriter Freddie Aguilar passed away earlier today, May 27, as confirmed by Josephine Quiepo, the mother of the late singer-songwriter's daughter Maegan. He was 72 years old at the time of his passing.
With his death, he has left a huge mark on the music industry through his songs that have inspired several generations. Check out some of his songs that not only touched Filipino hearts but other nationalities as well.
Anak
https://open.spotify.com/track/4clfDrcEBdZQt3aSTfAWIf?si=25eb190520fe43f3
This Tagalog song was written and performed by Freddie himself and was included in the finals of the first ever Metropop Song Festival back in 1978. Despite not winning any award, “Anak” became a hit all around the globe as it was translated into several languages.
It was also featured in the South Korean action film, Gangnam Blues, and the Hong Kong film, Fatal Vacation.
Bayan Ko
https://open.spotify.com/track/0GlTltXWKisaL8WFaObeop?si=78129fbc03914ff3
Despite not being his original song, Freddie’s name is attached to “Bayan Ko” after it became insanely popular during the 1980s among citizens and protestors. The song became one of the anthems of the 1986 People Power Revolution.
Magdalena
https://open.spotify.com/track/6E9jMLLmxSNRD1jJoO5oD4?si=cb69b0608d5343b0
Released in the 1980s, this song tells the story of Magdalena–– a young woman who was forced into doing sexual favors to support her loved ones. Despite being a hard subject to talk about, Freddie made it possible and showed the economic hardships faced by many Filipinos at the time the song was released through the metaphors in his lyrics.
Bulag, Pipi, at Bingi
https://open.spotify.com/track/0ksnWgWc0Xt0aeTHv8trL2?si=833c198e57c54da1
Part of his Kinabukasan album released in 1979, this Filipino classic hit song became another metaphor for the lives of Filipinos during that era. The late veteran singer uses the blind, the mute, and the deaf to emphasize how everyone has been living the same lives–– often unheard, unseen, and unable to speak out.
Freddie and his music will continue to live in the hearts of not only Filipinos but everyone who has listened to his songs. His patriotism will be cemented alongside the songs he has produced and will remain relevant in today’s society.