Senator Robinhood Padilla is urging the government to recognize the late Freddie Aguilar as a National Artist, citing his immense contribution to Filipino music and cultural identity.
In Senate Resolution No. 1364, Padilla emphasized that Aguilar’s legacy as a musician transcended generations, pointing to his iconic use of folk and kundiman styles that resonated deeply with the Filipino spirit. “Given his achievements and contributions, Freddie Aguilar must be considered by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) for recommendation to the President as one of the country’s national artists,” the senator stated.
Born on February 5, 1953, Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar rose to fame in the late 1970s, most notably for his song “Anak,” which became a global anthem and was translated into 51 languages. His repertoire of socially charged and emotionally rich songs, including “Magdalena” and “Bulag, Pipi at Bingi,” solidified his place as one of the cornerstones of Original Pilipino Music (OPM).
Aguilar passed away at the age of 72 due to multiple organ failure. He is survived by his wife Jovie and his four children from a previous marriage: Maegan, Jonan, Isabella, and Jeriko.
Padilla’s resolution invokes Article XIV, Section 15 of the Constitution and Presidential Proclamation No. 1001, which outlines the criteria for bestowing the prestigious National Artist title.
