Beloved Filipino music icon Freddie Aguilar has passed away at the age of 72. His death was confirmed early this morning by George Briones, General Counsel of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).

Aguilar was admitted to the Philippine Heart Centre, where he reportedly died around 1:30am on Tuesday. According to local reports, preparations are now underway for his burial following Muslim rites, likely within the next 24 hours.

A Voice That Defined a Generation

Aguilar rose to fame with the release of “Anak” in 1978, a heartfelt song about parental love and generational tension. It became the best-selling Filipino record of all time, with over 33 million copies sold worldwide, and was translated into 23 languages.

Beyond his music, Aguilar became a symbol of social change and nationalism. His rendition of “Bayan Ko” served as an anthem during the 1986 People Power Revolution. Many of his songs, such as “Magdalena,” “Katarungan,” and “Mindanao,” tackled poverty, injustice, and regional struggles.

A Life in Service of Culture

In his later years, Aguilar also took on public roles. He was a former Vice President of PFP and served as Presidential Adviser on Culture and the Arts under President Rodrigo Duterte. He also held a position with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Aguilar is survived by his wife Jovie and children Maegan and Jeriko. Tributes are pouring in from fans and fellow artists, honouring the OPM (Original Pilipino Music) legend whose songs and voice touched generations across the Philippines and beyond.