Freddie Aguilar’s partner Jovie Albao mourns death of singer

Freddie Aguilar and his last partner Jovie Albao. Image: Facebook/Albao

Freddie Aguilar’s partner, Jovie Albao, penned a farewell message to the singer following his death on Tuesday, May 27. 

Albao took to her Facebook account to share a photo of her and Aguilar engaged in an embrace as she promised to lead a good life so they can reunite in heaven.

“I will live a good life so I can meet you in Jannah (Heaven). Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (to Allah we belong and to Allah we shall return). This is not goodbye, just farewell for now. Mahal na mahal kita, hanggang sa muli bhabe (I love you so much. Until we meet again, babe). It was a good fight, because we are fighting together,” she wrote.

Albao was Aguilar’s last partner before he died of multiple organ failure at the age of 72. The remains of the singer were buried less than 24 hours after following the Islamic burial rites. 

In 2013, when he was 60, Aguilar converted to Islam so he could marry Albao, who was then 16 years old. Their relationship drew criticism and concern especially from the youth sector.

In her previous posts, Albao stated that she was trying to be “strong in the face of fear” as she thanked the people who had been sending their well wishes to her and Aguilar. 

Albao also shared a quote about how “love is a choice, not luck,” referring to elderly couples who are still together despite the odds. 

Aguilar rose to fame for his hit song “Anak,” which is about a parent’s love for a wayward child. The track was released in over 50 countries, translated into 29 languages, and re-recorded in over 100 versions. 

The singer-composer became a household name for his other socially relevant songs, such as “Katarungan,” “Magdalena” and “Mindanao,” among others. Aside from his music, Aguilar was known for his iconic cowboy look with his straight, long hair and clear eyeglasses.  /ra