Philippine music lost one of its legendary artists on May 27, 2025 with the passing of Pinoy rock icon Freddie Aguilar.
He was hospitalized at the Philippine Heart Center prior to his death, which occurred around 1:30 a.m., according to Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) general counsel George Briones. Aguilar, who once served as the party’s national executive vice president, was confirmed to have passed through statements quoted in news reports and a Facebook post by actress Vivian Velez, who wrote: “OPM icon Freddie Aguilar has passed away today (May 27) at the PH Heart Center Hospital. He was 72 years old. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. His music will forever live on in our hearts. ~ Double V.”
Born Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar in Isabela, his career spanned from 1973 to 2025. Among his biggest hits are “Magdalena,” “Bulag, Pipi at Bingi,” “Ipaglalaban Ko,” “Estudyante Blues,” and his rendition of “Bayan Ko,” written by Jose Corazon de Jesus and composed by Constancio de Guzman.
Freddie’s greatest contribution to Original Pilipino Music is, undoubtedly, “Anak,” a finalist in the 1978 Metropop Song Festival. Freddie was both the composer and performer of the song. Although it did not win the grand prize, “Anak” went on to become a global hit. According to the late entertainment editor Ricky Lo, who wrote about the song for Vicor Music’s 50th anniversary coffee table book, the beloved track was translated into 29 languages and released in 53 countries.
“’Anak’ was my way of atoning for my sins,” Freddie told Ricky. “It was my way of saying sorry to my father (Gregorio Aguilar) and my mother (Salud Pascual). I let my father read the lyrics and he turned teary-eyed. He put his arm around me and said, ‘Now you understand what life is.’ Then, he gave me his consent to be a musician but he reminded me, ‘But you should study and be a lawyer so even when you grow old, your mind will keep on working at may trabaho ka pa. In singing, you are only as good as the last applause.”
Freddie was troubled as a youth before he found his calling in music.
As an adult, he led a colorful life, falling in love several times and siring at least six children with three different women.
In recent years, his political allegiance was also questioned, as he was known in the 1980s to be a patriot. Prior to his passing, Freddie posted this on his Facebook account to reiterate his love for the country. He wrote, “Eto ang tunay na kulay natin – hindi dilaw, hindi pink, hindi green at hindi pula! Mabuhay ang mga Pinoy na alam at may respeto sa tunay na kulay ng LAHI niya.”
But no matter what he believed in and no matter how he lived, Freddie Aguilar will forever be remembered for “Anak.” With the song’s poignant, simple but relatable lyrics, Freddie Aguilar articulated a parent’s woes and a child’s desire for forgiveness.
The family has yet to release a statement as of this writing.
