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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Jinggoy Estrada pays tribute to OPM legend Freddie Aguilar

Jinggoy Estrada pays tribute to OPM legend Freddie Aguilar

Published May 31, 2025 05:52 pm

At A Glance

  • Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has filed a resolution honoring the life and legacy of the late original Pilipino music (OPM) legend Freddie Aguilar, who passed away on May 27, 2025, at the age of 72.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has filed a resolution honoring the life and legacy of the late original Pilipino music (OPM) legend Freddie Aguilar, who passed away on May 27, 2025, at the age of 72.
In Senate Resolution (SR) No. 1356, Estrada expressed the Senate’s condolences to Aguilar’s family, and cited the iconic musician’s unparalleled contributions to Philippine music and culture.
“The multi-platinum artist and legendary musician elevated Filipino music to a wider international audience and achieved unprecedented acclaim and renown. His passing is a tragic loss for the country’s music industry, as well as to the entire nation,” stated the senator, who also came from the entertainment industry.
Born as Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar on Feb. 5, 1953, in Sto. Tomas, Isabela, Aguilar gained international fame through his song “Anak", a heartfelt ballad about parental love. The song, a finalist in the 1978 Metro Manila Popular Music Festival, sold over 30 million copies globally and was translated into 29 languages.
Throughout a career spanning five decades, Aguilar released 40 chart-topping albums and produced powerful protest songs like “Bayan Ko", “Magdalena", and “Katarungan", which inspired activism and nationalism.
Estrada emphasized Aguilar’s global impact, as he recalled SR No. 101 that previously recognized him as the “only Asian singer and composer who broke into the western market and gained massive global recognition".
“His prolific ingenuity, unmatched body of work, and immense contribution to the Philippine music scene were recognized by various award-giving bodies here and abroad,” Estrada said.
He further cited Aguilar’s honors such as the First Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino awardee by PARI in 1993 and multiple lifetime achievement awards.
“Freddie Aguilar was more than just a musician. He was a voice of the people, a storyteller whose songs chronicled the joys, sorrows, and struggles of the Filipino people,” Estrada added.
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