Image: Facebook/Freddie Aguilar (Official Account)
A new Senate resolution introduced by Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III acknowledges singer and composer Freddie Aguilar for his song “Anak” and other contributions to Philippine culture.
Senate resolution 658 seeks to recognize Aguilar’s “lifetime outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and culture” for composing “Anak,” which will celebrate its 40th anniversary on March 18, according to a statement.
All senators present at the time Sotto made the resolution were made his co-authors.
The composer also wrote the songs “Katarungan,” “Pangako” and Luzviminda (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, the Philippines’ three main islands).
“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.
“Anak” has been released in 53 countries, translated in 29 languages and re-recorded in over 100 versions while selling 33 million copies worldwide. Aguilar first released the song on March 20, 1978. It “told the story of a parent’s love for a wayward child,” according to the resolution.
The song became a world hit, included in the 1980s Billboard charts and was No. 1 in the United States for two weeks. By 2006 “Anak” was unsurpassed as the all-time highest-selling Philippine song.
In 2015, South Korean action film “Gangnam Blues” used “Anak” as its theme song.
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