Freddie Aguilar leads national commission of culture and arts

Gary Ann  Lastrilla

<div><img src='' alt='071216-freddie_main.jpg' width='400' height='290' align='left' border='0'>Veteran singer and composer Freddie Aguilar led the launch of<i> Mga Awit Para Sa Tunay na Pagbabago</i> commemorative CD in honor of new President Rodrigo Duterte last Monday, July 11 at Ka Freddie’s Bar and Restaurant.</div><div><br/></div><div>Sharing with members of the press how the album came to be, the folk singer said that he wanted to make use of the songs they sang during the election campaign so he put them in an album to be sold for a charity. “After three days, <i>may kumontak sa akin na meron nga daw isang</i> foundation <i>na magpadudugtong dugtong ‘nung mga</i> songs in the campaign <i>at gagawin nga nila itong</i> way of fundraising <i>para sa mg</i>a drug-dependent <i>na kabataang mahihirap so sabi ko, ‘sige, isama niyo ‘yung</i> song<i> ko diyan.’ Binigyan ko sila ng permisong gamitin ‘yung Duterte Para sa Tunay na Pagbabago,”</i> he said.</div><div><br/></div><div>Aside from Freddie, the album included songs by Cesar Montano, Mocha Uson, and Hambog ng Sagpro, among others.</div><div><br/></div><div>According to Freddie, although he and President Duterte have not discussed this yet as they have not gotten the chance to talk since the inauguration, the latter knows about this project.</div><div><br/></div><div>He also has nothing but praises for the president, believing in his capacity to lead the country. “<i>Noong pa pong</i> Mayor <i>pa lang siya sa Davao, nainvite po niya ako ‘dun ng ilang beses at kahit hindi po kami nagkikita ng madalas ng mahal na presidente natin, ‘yun pong mutual respect namin sa isa’t isa bilang parehong makabayan ay nandudoon po palagi,” </i>Freddie shared.</div><div><br/></div><div>Meanwhile, the singer of the iconic hit “Anak” also talked about requesting to have a department dedicated to the Philippine culture and arts.</div><div><br/></div><div>“<i>Meron po akong hiningi sa kanya. Gusto ko po ay bigyan niya ng isang departamento ang kultura at ang sining natin kasi gusto ko po talaga na magkaroon po tayo ng cultural revolution sa ating mga kababayan. Sabi ko, ‘heto lang po ‘yung revolution na walang mamamatay.’ Ang ibig sabihin ko po sa cultural revolution ay pinapangarap ko po na ibalik po ‘yung mga talagang Pilipino na pag-uugali natin, pati sining natin, pati panulat natin, ibalik sa atin ‘yun tinanggal sa atin ng mga banyaga,” </i>he said, adding that he hopes it will bring Filipinos all over the Philippines together. </div><div><br/></div><div>“’<i>Pag tinanong mo sila balang araw, hindi na po nila iisipin na ‘taga-Luzon ako, wala akong pakialam sa Visayas.’ ‘Taga-Visayas ako, wala akong pakialam sa Mindanao. ‘Pag nagkaroon po tayo ng cultural revolution, ‘pag sinabi po nating Ilokano, Kapampangan, Bisaya, lahat po ‘yan maninindigan na siya ay Pilipino</i>,” Freddie added. </div><div><br/></div><div>He shared that he got a call offering him to lead the National Commission of Culture and the Arts or NCCA for the meantime while the department he is requesting is not available yet.</div><div><br/></div><div>“<i>Ang sabi ko, ‘Sige po, susubukan kong pamunuan muna,</i>’” he answered and added that the offer seems like that the President might grant his request.</div><div><br/></div><div>“<i>Mahahawakan ko lamang po siya (ang NCCA) kung tutulungan ako ng lahat. Nandito po si Cesar Montano, nakikita po ninyo si Anthony Castelo. Lahat po ng mga nakausap kong mga nagmamahal sa bayan natin na mga kapatid po natin hindi lang sa trabaho, sa musika kundi po pati ‘yung mga negosyante, nakipag-usap na po ako sa kanila at lahat po sila nakahandang tumulong. Pati po ‘yung mga kababayan nating Pilipino na ipinanganak at lumaki na sa ibang bansa, ‘nung malaman po nila ‘yung hangarin ko, lahat po sila ay sumusumpang tutulong sa ating lahat,”</i> he said about his new role.</div><div><br/></div>

Freddie Aguilar leads launch of ‘Mga Awit Para Sa Tunay na Pagbabago’ CD in honor of new President Rodrigo Duterte.

Freddie Aguilar leads national commission of culture and arts | PUSH.COM.PH