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UAE Moments
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
Remembering Freddie Aguilar - Filipino Music Legend's Legacy
Freddie Aguilar, the iconic Filipino folk singer, passed away at the age of 72, leaving behind a powerful legacy etched in the heart of the nation. Known for his deeply emotional and socially conscious songs, Aguilar was more than a musician—he was a voice for the people. His music continues to echo the soul of the Filipino experience. Early Life and Musical Roots Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar, known globally as Freddie Aguilar, was born on February 5, 1953, in Isabela, Philippines. Raised in a musically inclined family, he learned to play the guitar by age nine and began writing songs in his teens. Despite parental pressure to finish college and become a lawyer, Aguilar dropped out to follow his dream of becoming a musician. His early life struggles would later inform the powerful emotional themes in his music, particularly those relating to family, identity, and social hardship. Breakthrough with 'Anak' Aguilar achieved meteoric fame in 1978 with the release of 'Anak' (meaning 'Child'), a song inspired by his regrets and reconciliation with his parents. Translated into over 20 languages Sold over 30 million copies worldwide Considered the most commercially successful Philippine song ever A staple in Filipino households and karaoke bars globally 'Anak' touched on themes of remorse, gratitude, and familial love—emotions that transcended borders and languages. Champion of Social and Political Causes Freddie Aguilar was more than just a singer; he was a voice for the people. During the Marcos dictatorship, his music became a rallying cry for those resisting oppression. Notable examples of his activism include: Performing 'Bayan Ko', which became a protest anthem during Martial Law Writing songs that highlighted the struggles of the marginalized, such as 'Mindanao' and 'Magdalena' Using folk and rock music as tools for social commentary He firmly believed that music should not only entertain but also enlighten and provoke thought. Contributions to Original Pilipino Music (OPM) A pioneer in the OPM movement, Aguilar encouraged Filipino musicians to embrace their roots and create music that resonated with the local culture. His contributions include: Over a dozen studio albums rich in Filipino storytelling Recognition from the Awit Awards and other cultural institutions Mentorship and collaboration with younger Filipino artists Aguilar's music fused traditional Filipino sounds with modern folk and rock, creating a unique and lasting musical identity. Legacy and Passing Freddie Aguilar passed away surrounded by family, leaving behind a rich legacy of heartfelt music and courageous activism. His passing was mourned across the Philippines and by fans worldwide. He leaves us with: Timeless songs that continue to influence generations A model of how art can be used for advocacy A legacy rooted in sincerity, courage, and cultural pride Though he is no longer with us, Freddie Aguilar's voice continues to echo in the soul of the Filipino people. Freddie Aguilar's legacy transcends music; he was a voice for the voiceless and a symbol of Filipino pride. His songs continue to inspire, comfort, and provoke thought across generations. As the melodies of 'Anak' and 'Bayan Ko' live on, so does the spirit of a man who used music to move a nation. His voice remains timeless.
Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The real reason why I and millions of other young people were drawn to the Pope in this cynical, social media-mad world: FRED KELLY
The last thing I expected to wake up to on Bank Holiday Monday was a flood of messages from friends in their twenties expressing shock and sadness at the death of Pope Francis. In many cases, these were people who see the inside of a church once a year on Christmas Day and as likely think Communion is a pop-band as a Holy sacrament. And yet, their grief has been tangible and authentic. As a lapsed 29-year-old Catholic, I too was surprised to feel an acute tinge of sadness as I watched back the Pope's final Easter address, recorded the day before his passing. But, as it turns out, my friends and I are far from alone. Most unexpectedly, the internet has been flooded with outpourings of grief for the late Bishop of Rome, not from devotees but from teenagers and 20-somethings of every religion and none. And no, this is neither an Easter miracle nor a glowing endorsement of the embattled Catholic Church, but rather a reflection of one man's popularity, a man who happened to be Pope. Isabela, in her mid-twenties, posted a video to TikTok alongside the caption: 'RIP to a legend,' in which she said: 'Say what you want about Pope Francis, it was an absolute baller move... to wait for Jesus to rise from the dead and then die the next day. King.' Beneath another clip showing the late Pope sliding away from American President Donald Trump, one university student named Chloe commented: 'Bro was plotting his escape,' along with a crying face emoji. So just why is it that so many young people have been so deeply affected by the death of a man they've never met and who represents an institution they seemingly have little care for? A former nightclub bouncer who grew up in a deprived South American barrio is hardly the obvious choice to lead the Catholic Church. But then, Francis – who died at the age of 88 – was unlike any of the 265 Popes that came before him. Yes, every Papal leader dating back to Saint Peter has been famous the world over and their likeness distributed to all four corners of the globe. But Pope Francis had a unique platform – he was the first truly viral Pope. Whether he was entirely aware of his online infamy or not, Francis was a regular fixture on social media. Notoriously, he was affectionately pranked back in 2023, when AI-generated deepfake images of him in a garish white designer puffer jacket were shared online in which he looked more like a rapper than a faith leader. But rather than shying away from the internet, Pope Francis actively embraced it, describing it in 2014 as 'a gift from God'. Although his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI made international headlines when he joined Twitter in 2012, Pope Francis took things up a gear in 2016 when he joined Instagram and became the record holder for the most followers gained in a single day: 1.4million in under 12 hours. No Pope has courted and enjoyed the love of the internet quite like Francis. Rather than hoping the youth would come to the Church, he took his message to them. And yet, there was nothing disingenuous about it: 'The world of virtual communication is a good thing,' he declared in 2018. For a man who wore immaculate, flowing white robes, had an army of guards, owned a fleet of modified bulletproof jeeps and was God's representative on earth responsible for the religious wellbeing of 1.4billion people, Pope Francis was also remarkably relatable. He grew up a football fanatic and continued supporting his hometown team, San Lorenzo, up until his death. He loved sweets, and had his friends fly over his beloved 'alfajores' chocolate caramels from South America. And far from the cliched depiction of clergy as ascetics, he celebrated his 81st birthday with a 13ft pizza. He had a strong sense of humour, once smiling gleefully in front of a life-sized statue of himself made from 1.5 tons of cocoa. And, in 2014, he waved as hundreds of well-wishers celebrated his birthday by dancing the tango in St Peter's Square – the Pope's favourite dance and one which he once said 'comes from deep within me'. In an increasingly secular and cynical world, Pope Francis appealed to young people by admitting that he too was human – God's representative on earth or not. Perhaps above everything else though, the Pope found legions of fans among 20-somethings because of his radical politics. In a world where the left-leaning ideals favoured by the young are severely underrepresented, Pope Francis was an outlier: a voice of empathy. Francis emerged out of the Latin American school of 'liberation theology' – an essentially socialist movement that used Catholicism as a vehicle for social justice, particularly in the favelas of South America. Indeed, Francis – born Jorge Mario Bergoglio – took his Papal name from St Francis of Assisi, who gave up a large inheritance to serve both the poor and the Church. In keeping with his namesake, rumours swirled in 2013 that Francis was sneaking out of the Vatican late at night to give alms to the poor of Rome. In an increasingly secular and cynical world, Pope Francis appealed to young people by admitting that he too was human – God's representative on earth or not Pope Francis was also perhaps the most high-profile figure to speak out against Israel's 'shameful' campaign in Gaza, noting that it bears 'the characteristics of genocide'. At the same time, just 5 per cent of 18-34 year olds think the UK should support Israel's ongoing action which has so far claimed the lives of over 50,000 people – the majority civilians. The Pope was not just a religious figure, but a political one too. It wouldn't be an unfair comparison to say the love for Pope Francis was in the same mould as that for former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn or US Senator Bernie Sanders. In other words, Francis was a political radical who became a cult figure for a generation of idealistic, angry but ultimately powerless young people. And certainly, Pope Francis practiced what he preached. While serving as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he shunned a number of perks that came with his office, opting to cook his own meals and even taking the bus to work. On being elected Pope, Francis flew economy class to Rome. It may have been a purely symbolic gesture, but it was mightily effective. This morning, my friend Halima – who is 25 and about to graduate from university – texted me the words: 'tough act to follow'. And indeed, following the Pope's funeral this Saturday, attentions will turn to his successor. While few people can truly say they are well- versed in the composition of the College of Cardinals, it is abundantly clear that this will be a conclave between the right and the left of the Catholic Church – a battle for the soul of the Papacy. And thanks to the popularity of the late Pope Francis, there are now more than just 1.4billion Catholics waiting in anticipation of that white puff of smoke.
