Filipino folk music icon Freddie Aguilar has died. He was 72.
According to The Manila Times, Aguilar passed away at around 1.30am at the Philippine Heart Center.
He was known for his international hit “Anak”, which became the best-selling Philippine music record of all time, with over 33 million copies sold worldwide.
The song is also notable for being the only Filipino track translated into 51 languages. It not only topped the Philippine charts but also reached No 1 in Japan and gained popularity in countries such as Malaysia, Hong Kong, and parts of Europe.
By some estimates, the song has been recorded in as many as 100 versions across 23 languages.
Aguilar began his musical journey as a street performer in 1973 and rose to international fame following the release of “Anak” in 1978.
A powerful advocate for social justice, his music – featuring songs like “Bayan Ko”, “Magdalena”, and “Mindanao” – highlighted themes of nationalism, poverty, and human rights.
Reports indicate that Aguilar will be buried within 24 hours in accordance with Muslim rites.
