Filipinos are music lovers. Many Filipino singers are popular internationally such as Lea Salonga who is known for her performance in “Miss Saigon” and other world famous musical plays and Charice Pempengco who was discovered through his uploaded performances on YouTube.

Some Filipino music artists also gain international fame through their recorded songs like Freddie Aguilar, Jose Mari Chan and Rico J. Puno.

Here are the three internationally most successful and most popular Original Pilipino Music or OPM in the world.

“Anak” by Freddie Aguilar 

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Undoubtedly, one of the most popular Filipino musicians is Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar or more popularly known as Freddie Aguilar. His two most popular songs are Anak and Bayan Ko. His song “Anak” is considered as the best-selling Philippine music record of all time. Aguilar is popular worldwide and is one of the Philippines’ best musician-songwriters.

The song “Anak” broke the Philippine record charts in 1979 and became number one in Japan. The song is considerably popular also in other countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Europe and Hong Kong. This phenomenal hit song was recorded in as many as a hundred versions in 23 languages throughout the world. In the 1980s, “Anak” was Billboard’s number two world hit.

Play it HERE

Anak 

Noong isilang ka sa mundong ito,

Laking tuwa ng magulang mo.

At ang kamay nila ang iyong ilaw.

At ang nanay at tatay mo,

'Di malaman ang gagawin.

Minamasdan pati pagtulog mo.

Sa gabi napupuyat ang iyong nanay

Sa pagtimpla ng gatas mo.

At sa umaga nama'y kalong

Ka ng iyong amang tuwang-tuwa sa iyo.

Ngayon nga'y malaki ka na,

Nais mo'y maging malaya.

'Di man sila payag,

Walang magagawa.

Ikaw nga'y biglang nagbago,

Naging matigas ang iyong ulo.

At ang payo nila'y,

Sinuway mo.

Hindi mo man lang inisip

Na ang kanilang ginagawa'y para sa iyo.

Pagka't ang nais mo’y masunod ang layaw mo,

'Di mo sila pinapansin.

Nagdaan pa ang mga araw

At ang landas mo'y naligaw

Ikaw ay nalulong sa masamang bisyo.

At ang una mong nilapitan

Ang iyong inang lumlumha.

At ang tanong,

"Anak, ba't ka nagkaganyan?"

At ang iyong mga mata'y biglang lumuha

Ng 'di mo napapansin

Pagsisisi ang sa isip mo,

Nalaman mong ika'y nagkamali.

(Repeat last two lines…fade)

Play English version of "Anak" (Child) HERE

Play Japanese version of "Anak" (Child) HERE

Beautiful Girl by Jose Mari Chan 

One of the most famous singers in the Philippines is Jose Mari Chan. He is famous for his hit songs such as Constant Change, Refrain, Beautiful Girls, Afterglow and many others. His album “Constant Change” that contains the phenomenal hit single “Beautiful Girl” and was released in 1989 is considered as the first ever OPM album to reach the Diamond status. The album is presently the Philippines’ second biggest-selling album. The song “Beautiful Girl” was released internationally and gained worldwide popularity.

Play it HERE 

Beautiful Girl 

Beautiful girl, wherever you are

I knew when I saw you, you had opened the door

I knew that I’d love again after a long, long while

I’d love again.

You said “hello” and I turned to go

But something in your eyes left my heart beating so

I just knew that I’d love again after a long, long while

I’d love again.

Refrain :

It was destiny’s game

For when love finally came on

I rushed in line only to find

That you were gone.

Whenever you are, I fear that I might

Have lost you forever like a song in the night

Now that I’ve loved again after a long, long while

I’ve loved again.

*Repeat Refrain

Beautiful girl, I’ll search on for you

‘Till all of your loveliness in my arms come true

You’ve made me love again after a long, long while

In love again

And I’m glad that it’s you

Hmmmmm, beautiful girl

Together Forever by Rico J. Puno 

Enrico de Jesus Puno, more popularly known as Rico J. Puno or Rico J., is a popular Filipino singer. He is well remembered for his unique singing voice. His popular songs include Together Forever, Macho Guwapito, Buhat, Kapalaran and many others. Together Forever was released internationally in the 1980s and gained worldwide fame.

Play it HERE 

Together Forever 

My love, forever you will always be my,

only love, Forever you will always be my

faithful love, It's always you, you will always be

My love, forever you will be my first and,

only Love, For you alone I'll give my everlasting love,

I promise you, you'll always be

Chorus

You and I will never say goodbye,

we'll never even wonder why

you and I will always be together forever

You and I will never say goodbye,

we'll never even wonder why

you and I will always be together forever...

(in) love

My love, forever you will always be my,

only love, Forever you will always be my

faithful love, It's always you, you will always be

Repeat Chorus

See also

Top Five Most Famous Filipino Traditional Folk Songs