Ka Freddie Aguilar’s life as told through his songs

Freddie Aguilar is one of the Philippine’s most iconic musicians, whose songs are known not only in the country but throughout the world. In fact, his song “Anak”, arguably his most popular one, has been translated in more than 20 different languages.

His songs tell stories of love and longing, moving on and moving forward — tales that many can relate to, but are ultimately a tapestry of the legendary music icon’s life as well.

Noong isilang ka sa mundong ito
Laking tuwa ng magulang mo
At ang kamay nila ang iyong ilaw
“Anak”

Born in the province of Isabela, Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar lived an easy life during his childhood. His loving parents did not hold back when it came to providing for their children. It wasn’t until they moved to Manila that life became hard for him and his family. As Ka Freddie describes their life back then, “From plato to lata.”

Ngayon nga ay malaki ka na
Nais mo’y maging malaya
‘Di man sila payag
Walang magagawa
Ikaw nga ay biglang nagbago
Naging matigas ang iyong ulo
At ang payo nila’y sinuway mo

Freddie Aguilar took up BS Electrical Engineering at De Guzman Institute of Technology. After a few years of studying, he quit school to pursue what he really wanted — music. This decision was against his parents’ will, but young Freddie was passionate about his craft. “Ang pagsusulat [ng kanta], ‘pag di mo nailabas, para kang may bomba sa dibdib mo,” he says.

Ang isip ko’y gulong gulo
Sa pook na pinanggalingan ko
Kailangan kong lisanin
Ang gulo sa aking mundo
Nais ko’y bagong buhay
Sa pook na pinakahihintay
Doon, lahat ay pantay-pantay
Doon, buhay ay makulay
“Olongapo”

Because of the conflict with his parents, he decided to leave his family in Manila to chase his dreams somewhere else. He started by singing along the streets, and eventually, he was able to book a few gigs in bars and clubs. Shortly after, he sparked his singing career by regularly singing in a restaurant in Olongapo called Kitchenette ni Mama Consuelo.

Pilipinas kong minumutya
Pugad ng luha at dalita
Aking adhika
Makita kang sakdal laya
“Bayan Ko”

In 1977, he submitted his song “Anak” as an entry to the Metro Manila Popular Music Festival, more popularly known as the Metropop Festival. His song did not win, but it instantly became a sensational hit song and was released in 54 countries. “Anim ‘yung versions ng “Anak” na nasa Top 15 nung panahon na ‘yun. Do’n ko na-realize na hindi na biro [ang kasikatan ko]. Naintindihan kong sikat ako sa Pilipinas, pero ‘yung sabihin na sikat na rin ako sa buong Asya, parang hindi totoo,” he says.

With his fame undeniably reaching its peak, he continued writing and reviving songs. He wrote songs with a tone of activism, which mirrored the feelings of the Filipinos at the time. “Most of his songs merong social relevance, maraming nakakarelate,” arranger-songwriter Mon del Rosario describes. Some of these songs include “Katarungan”, “Pangako”, “Mindanao”, and “Bayan Ko.”

Saan mang larangan, laging may labanan
Maging sa pag-ibig, may panalo’t talunan
May nasasaktan, maraming luhaan
May nagtatakwil kailan walang hanggan
“Ang Umaayaw Ay ‘Di Nagwawagi”

The legendary music icon married his first wife Josephine Quiepo at a young age, shortly after quitting college. Unfortunately, their marriage did not work out. He remarried two other women after the first marriage, with those two other marriages ending badly as well.

“Ang love story, kahit na anong ganda, kailangan din may ending parang kanta,” he says. For him, these marriages were not a waste, as it brought him six children — all of which are musically-inclined like their father.

Anuman ang mangyari, ‘di kita iiwan
Ipaglalaban ko ang pag-ibig mo
Ipaglalaban ko hanggang sa dulo ng mundo
Ang ating pag-ibig, giliw ko
“Ipaglalaban Ko”

After three failed marriages, Ka Freddie is now happy and contented with the new love of his life. His new relationship, however, has been in the limelight because of his young girlfriend, who is 16 years old.

Despite this issue, their unwavering love prevails. “Nung nalaman ko na menor de edad s’ya, ginawa namin ‘yung tama — ipinaalam namin sa magulang n’ya,” the musician says. “Tanggap naman ako ng family niya, tanggap din siya ng family ko. Ang nanggugulo lang sa relasyon namin ay ‘yung mga walang kinalaman sa buhay namin. So, ang tanong ko, ano po ang pakialam n’yo sa amin?”

With this series of up and downs in his life, the veteran music icon shares his new outlook in life: “Mas mabuti pa sa isang tao ‘yung maging totoo, kahit makasakit kayo ng damdamin ng ibang tao. Kasi later on, in the long run, mare-realize nila, ‘Totoong tao pala ito.’” — Isabelle Laureta/CM, GMA News