Freddie Aguilar, Filipino music icon, dead at 72

May 28 ------ Original Pilipino Music (OPM) icon Freddie Aguilar has died while confined at the Philippine Heart Center. He was 72. Lawyer George Briones of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), where Aguilar formerly served as the national executive vice president, confirmed the artist’s demise as per multiple reports. No cause of death was mentioned, but he had previously aired that he was undergoing a health issue.

Through his Facebook page last May 20, the singer-composer had appealed for prayers, although he did not immediately disclose his condition. His partner Jovie Albao also earlier spoke about the well-wishes they have been receiving and how she is “always finding courage in the face of fear.” “A lot has happened this week. There were many emotional moments but I must not be weak. I need to be strong to take care of him,” she said on her Facebook page last May 21.

“Our priority now is Freddie’s condition. I’m sorry I cannot share detailed information this matter is only for family and close friends,” she continued.. “But I can assure you that he is in good hands and he’s getting all the medications he needs.” Albao appealed at the time for prayers, saying that she only shared to the public what Aguilar wanted to share about his condition. In a succeeding post, Albao showed a photo taken at the Philippine Heart Center, adding the caption, “Stay strong, things will get better. It may be stormy now, but it can’t rain forever.” Aguilar’s fellow celebrity, actress Vivian Velez, was among those who lament his passing. “Our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. His music will forever live on in our hearts,” she said.

Aguilar was best known for his 1970s hit song “Anak,” which is about a parent’s love for a wayward child. The track was released in over 50 countries, translated in 29 languages, and re-recorded in over 100 versions. Aside from “Anak,” the composer also wrote other songs with social themes, like “Katarungan,” “Magdalena,” “Pangako” and “Luzviminda.” Beyond his musicality, Aguilar’s look was just as iconic: straight, long hair often topped with a beret or newsboy caps, clear eyeglasses, his trusty guitar which uses as prop during his performances.

Due to his mass appeal and being familiar with the social issues that have become the subject of his music pieces, it wasn’t surprising that he would dip his toes in politics. Aguilar was one of the key celebrity figures that pushed for the presidential bid of then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte during the 2016 presidential elections. When Duterte won, Aguilar served as presidential adviser on culture and the arts. He was also one of the advocates of federalism in the country, and was a member of the party-list group Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, formed by Duterte in 2018, which aimed to replace the country’s unitary system of government with a federal government

Source: inquirer.net