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From Street to Stage: The Inspiring Story of Freddie Aguilar

From Street to Stage: The Inspiring Story of Freddie Aguilar - 88

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Freddie Aguilar is one of the most celebrated and influential Filipino folk musicians and singer-songwriters. He is best known for his songs “Anak” and “Bayan Ko”, which have become anthems of the Filipino people. But before he achieved fame and success, he had to overcome many challenges and hardships in his life.
Freddie Aguilar was born on February 5, 1953 in Santo Tomas, Isabela. He grew up in a poor family and learned to play the guitar at the age of nine. He had a passion for music, but he did not have the opportunity to pursue formal education or training. He dropped out of college and left his home at the age of 18, feeling rebellious and restless. He became a street musician, playing folk songs for small change in bars and clubs. He also experimented with drugs and alcohol, which led him to regret his mistakes later on.
In 1973, he auditioned and was hired to perform at the Hobbit House in Ermita, Manila, where he earned ₱500 per gig. There, he met other musicians who inspired him to write his own songs. He also developed his distinctive style of blending Filipino folk music with Western influences, such as Cat Stevens and James Taylor. He wrote songs that reflected his personal experiences, as well as the social and political issues of his time.

His breakthrough came in 1978, when he joined the first Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (Metropop) and won the grand prize for his song “Anak”. The song was about a father’s lament for his wayward child, which was based on Aguilar own relationship with his parents. The song resonated with millions of Filipinos, who could relate to its message of love and forgiveness. The song became a huge hit, not only in the Philippines, but also in other countries, such as Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and parts of Western Europe. It was recorded in various languages and versions, and became the best-selling Philippine music record of all time.
Aguilar continued to write and perform songs that expressed his nationalism and patriotism. He became an icon of the opposition against the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos during the 1986 People Power Revolution. His rendition of “Bayan Ko”, a song that was originally written by Jose Corazon de Jesus and Constancio de Guzman in 1929, became the anthem of the movement that toppled Marcos from power. He also wrote songs about the plight of the poor, the oppression of the minorities, and the conflict in Mindanao.
Aguilar has been active in the music industry for over four decades, releasing more than 40 albums and receiving numerous awards and recognitions. He has also ventured into other fields, such as acting, directing, producing, and hosting. He has been involved in various causes and advocacies, such as environmental protection, cultural preservation, and peace promotion. He has been married four times and has eight children.
Freddie Aguilar story is one of struggle and triumph, of passion and perseverance, of talent and vision. He is a living legend who has inspired generations of Filipino musicians and listeners. He is a true example of how a street musician can become a famous artist in the Philippines.
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