Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla on Tuesday (June 3) sought the conferment of a National Artist title for the late Filipino folk singer Ferdinand "Freddie" Aguilar, citing the musician's significant contributions to Philippine music and culture.

In Senate Resolution 1364, Padilla noted this is in line with Sec. 15, Art. XIV of the Constitution, as well as Presidential Proclamation 1001 that honors those who have made such contributions.

"Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar, also known as Freddie Aguilar, who was born on Feb. 5, 1953, rose to fame in the late 1970s for his powerful and heartfelt compositions using folk rhythms and kundiman music," Padilla said in his resolution.

"Given his achievements and contributions, Freddie Aguilar must be considered by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) for recommendation to the President as one of the country's national artists," he added.

Padilla noted Aguilar's hit song "Anak" had been translated into 27 languages and was released in 56 countries. It sold over 30 million copies worldwide.

Aside from this, Aguilar performed many "socially relevant and political" songs including "Bayan Ko," "Pulubi,' "Anak ng Mahirap," "Sa Kuko ng Agila," "Luzviminda," "Bulag, Pipi at Bingi" and "Mindanao."

"Aguilar's musical talent, as attested by his over 20 recorded albums in a career for over five decades, continues to inspire generations of Filipino musicians and social activists," said Padilla.

He also noted Aguilar had been honored in the Senate in 2018 through Senate Resolution 258 filed by then Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III.