(UPDATE: 27 May, 2025)
FOLK singer and Original Pilipino Music (OPM) icon Freddie Aguilar died Tuesday. He was 72. Reports said Aguilar passed away around 1:30 a.m. at the Philippine Heart Center.
RIP FREDDIE.
THANKS FOR 'ANAK' N YOUR LOVELY MUSIC.
CONDOLENCES TO MR. AGUILAR'S FAMILY.
UP TO 2,000 VIEWS,
41 CHATS, COMMENTS.
This blog does not usually discuss late 70s music but there's always an exception and this particular song is going into that territory.
Most 60s music lovers and those in the business, play this song over and over again because of its haunting melody and heart rendering tale of a parent’s love for a wayward child. It has captured the ears and hearts of many Singaporeans and to many, it seems to be the only folk song that comes from this beautiful country of music, love and 7,107 islands.
The original Tagalog version that brought it an international success, climbed fast to the top ten charts in Japan and Europe; over 30 million copies were sold worldwide, with more than 100 cover versions and 55 conversions in 27 languages, including English.
The singer is Freddie Aguilar, the one Asian singer, and composer who broke into the western market with this unbelievably poignant song. Aguilar has been given the distinction of being the only Asian artist to achieve worldwide fame. It was such a big hit that Billboard Magazine reported it as a No. 2 on the Top 100 Hits of the World in the 80s. He received an Asia Star Award in 2008 and is President's Duterte's favourite singer.
Go to any nightspot in Singapore today and the song is still being played by our local artistes, sometimes in Tagalog and sometimes in English. I first heard it sung by a Filipino singer at the former Glass Hotel at Havelock Road.
Organised by musicologist, Dr. Joe Peters (he likes my blog), I met Mr. Aguilar during one of his special performances here about four years ago when he was invited by the Singapore Management University where he described his early years as a music maker and his life and performances. He went through much hardship but settled into an astonishing career. His son performed too with their accompanying band, if I remember correctly.
Good friend Rickie Chng (lead Silver Strings) accompanied me to the talk and short performance.
An Original Article: Andy Lim.
Goodbye Mr. Aguilar.
Rest In Peace...
A remarkable achievement surely. Incredible.
ReplyDeleteHey Andy, do you know Vernon Cheong? He's got a blog similar to yours.
ReplyDeleteWe dont know each other personally but I have visited his blog and I think it's fabulous.
ReplyDeleteVernon Cheong started his blog much earlier, detailed and knowledgeable with Singappore 60s pop music but he concentrates on SE Asian talents.
ReplyDeleteThis blog explains music influencing our talents in the 60s.
But I think we both do it for the passion and fun and never for financial gains.
Hi Andy! Just read this after so long of not visiting your blog. Aguilar's 'Anak' is certainly one of my favourite of all time. Simple and catchy tune, plus the moral values that it contains. It's great that you featured him!
ReplyDeleteHi womad, thanks for the kind words. I just bought one of his LPs, 'Freddie Aguilar After Anak' and features covers like, 'House of Rising Sun', 'Blowing in the Wind', 'The Boxer' and other Aguilar originals.
ReplyDeleteCosts me $2.00 and it's on Polydor (2427 021).
Cheers.
I cannot access your blog anymore womad. Please help. Have you shut it down?
ReplyDeleteIt cost you SGD2.00? That's a really good buy for a collection!
ReplyDeleteRegarding my blog: No, i didn't shut it down. you can try access it through here: http://womad.blogspot.com
Thanks womad for the plug. Just visited your blog and I typed your article for today's posting. Hope you don't mind.
ReplyDeleteI like your blog though it seems to have lost some sting... I actually love your rebellious self. But what you're doing now is great.
And a fantastic artist too!
Hi Andy, I encountered your blog while doing my research for our bar.
ReplyDeleteBeing a Filipino, I have so many things to be proud of (despite our infamous govt) and one of them is Ka-Freddie. Indeed, he is remarkable. Manifested by the numerous translation of "Anak".
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and your comments about Freddie Aguilar.
Singapore has many Filipino professionals working in the music industry and when I meet them we discuss Aguilar and Anak. He's really the best.
Good luck on your research and do write again when you are free.
He released his new album “Magdalena”. It went double platinum in its original Tagalog language – the language Freddie totally loves and believes in. Since then he has played a pivotal role in the musical life of modern Philippines in films, stage shows and recordings.
ReplyDeleteThe Story of Anak is one of endeavor, perseverance, nationalism, and the use simple musical tools and language that points directly to the heart and ears of the human being. Freddie has also presented the Asian music industry with a unique music business model. He is coming to Singapore to tell us some of the long held-back stories behind “Anak” and his illustrious self-made musical career.
Thank you for posting this about Freddie Aguilar. Just like Jesus, many of his own fellowmen, do not recognize his achievements. But, I believe that he is truly the only Filipino artist that has transcended the barriers among nations through his Filipino compositions that focus on social, moral, economic, and political reforms.
ReplyDeleteI RECEIVED A LETTER OF THANKS THIS MORNING (23 APRIL 2019) ON MY MAIL.
ReplyDeleteHERE IT IS:
"Thank you for posting this about Freddie Aguilar. Just like Jesus, many of his own fellowmen, do not recognize his achievements. But, I believe that he is truly the only Filipino artist that has transcended the barriers among nations through his Filipino compositions that focus on social, moral, economic, and political reforms."
Stephen Han
I like Freddy’s rendition of “Anak”
Michael Lee
Hi Andy - Don't know much about Freddy.
Have listened to some of his songs and like Stephen I like his rendition of "Anak" best.
Cheerio
Andy Young
Thanks, STEPHEN, MICHAEL, JIMMY, ROSE, and JENNIE for the thumbs up.
There's an English version he sings.
Michael Lee
This is the version I like. Sound more soulful even though I don't understand a single word of Tagalog.
Cheerio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n-2lPzH7Do
Andy Young
Michael thanks again for your participation.
But it's the same video on my blog, taken from the same source, the same soulful version.
Exactly. :-)
THIS POST IS SHARED BY VICTOR NG ON HIS FACEBOOK PAGE.
THANKS, VICTOR.
Yeah, I can listen to Anak over and over never tired of it. I sang this song too in Tagalog...
ReplyDeleteI was one time working with a Philipino band form by Dave Lock.
My Philipino band member taught me in Tagalog.
Worked for Dave Lock for about 3 years where he sends us all over Sarawak.
I got this Anak version in Japanese too where I learned while working in Hiroshima in 1985.
Very nice write out about Freddie Aquilar...
Thank you all for the comments and interesting anecdotes about Aguilar.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate the time you all took.
I'm just wondering if he's still singing and active.
Andy Young
ReplyDeleteFred Aguilar with his famous ANAK song, passed away on Tuesday 27th May, 2025. RIP FRED. He was in Singapore some years ago to sing and give a lecture. Read about it on the blog...
ReplyDeleteAndy Young
Thanks Mr. Salim Mohd. for being the first to send condolences to his family.
Andy Young
Hi Hiroshi, thanks for the early visit to send condolence to a great Filipino singer.
Hi Hiroshi, thanks. It is sad to hear the passing of such a great singer.
Andy Young
And Colin, Angela and Patrick too. Thanks for the early blog visit...
Andy Young
Thanks Raymond and Daisy...
So sad! That hit of his was one of the first Tagalog songs I learnt. Circulating your post.
ReplyDeleteOh yes but he was only there only for a small part of it more like a guest for that show
ReplyDeleteJimmy Fong
ReplyDeleteSad to hear, R.I.P Mr Freddie Aquilar. I met him in Penang some years back. Very talented composer and musician.
Andy Young
Jimmy Fong hey my friend! Thanks for sending your condolences through this channel. Yes he was and I am glad you met him too. Do keep in touch.
Hiroshi Deguchi
ReplyDeleteAndy Young I saw him perform at a live house in Mabini, Manila.
Andy Young
Hiroshi Deguchi you did? And you've been to Manila too. He was such a great singer too wasn't he. In Singapore, he performed with his son... Thanks for sharing Hiroshi.
Yip Dick
ReplyDeleteSo sad. I have always got requests for his most famous and iconic song - ÀNAK. I will do both versions in Tagalog and in English. It's such an emotional, touching song that goes down well .😍💜😢
Andy Young
Yip Dick thanks my friend for your response. And you sing ANAK in Tagalog too. Wow! That's something. Must listen to you one day.
11m
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Ukhti Aminah
ReplyDeleteHis embracing Islam and laid as a Muslim, his name is Fareed.
Andy Young
Ukhti Aminah Yes, I read about it too. Thanks Ukhti for sharing.
Alphonso Soosay
ReplyDelete“Freddie Aguilar” An Awesome & Talented Music Composer and Singer best known for his international hit “Anak”. He became the best-selling Philippino music record of all time, and I believe his hit song became so famous that, it had been recorded in so many versions and languages throughout the world.
Rest In Peace Freddie Aguilar. 🛐🙏.
Andy Young
Alphonso Soosay, yes! ANAK is international and like you mentioned recorded in at least 51 languages. "It has also been translated into 51 languages and has more than 100 cover versions. The song was first released in 1978 and has sold 33 million copies worldwide, according to the Senate of the Philippines." Thanks for the feedback and sharing it, Al.
John Klass
ReplyDeleteChee Chien
Colin Ren
Patrick Teng
Yen Chow
Raymond Cho
Kali Dass S
Salim Mohamed
Koh Daisy
Yip Dick
Roop Singh
Alphonso Soosay
Jennie Law
Angela Leow
Patrick Chng
James Kwok
Hiroshi Deguchi
Ser Kiong Tan
Andy Young
And to all the FB friends above, thanks for LIKING and LOVING this post. A Filipino legend had passed away.