Press Release
March 13, 2018

Senate lauds musician Freddie Aguilar as "Anak" nears 40th anniversary

The Senate today adopted a resolution recognizing Filipino singer and composer Freddie "Anak" Aguilar for his "lifetime outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and culture."

Senate Resolution No. 658 was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Vicente "Tito" Sotto III. All senators present were made co-authors of the resolution.

"Aguilar is the only singer and composer who broke into the western market and gained massive global recognition, bringing pride and honor to our country. His unceasing nationalistic contribution to Philippine music and culture warrants recognition," Sotto said in the resolution.

According to the resolution, the song "Anak" was recorded by Aguilar - a native of the province of Isabela - and first released on March 20, 1978. The song, the resolution said, "told the story of a parent's love for a wayward child."

"The 40th Anniversary of the release of this phenomenal song will be celebrated on March 18, 2018," the resolution said.

The resolution noted that "Anak" has been released in 53 countries, translated in 29 languages and re-recorded in more than 100 versions and sold 33 million copies worldwide.

"Billboard, the music industry standard record chart in the United States for singles, reported that the song was the number one in the United States for two weeks and a world hit of the 1980s. As of 2006, it was unsurpassed as the all-time highest-selling record of Philippine music," the resolution said.

"Thirty-seven years after its release, "Anak" was used as the theme song of "Gangnam Blues," a South Korean action film released in March of 2015," the resolution added.

Apart from "Anak," the resolution said that Aguilar also recorded other "songs that echoed the state of the nation," such as "Katarungan" (justice), "Pangako" (promise), and "LUZVIMINDA" (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, the three main islands in the Philippines). (Yvonne Almirañez)

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