Veteran singer Freddie Aguilar. File photo

Singer, current partner planning to have a baby

MANILA -- "Anak" hitmaker Freddie Aguilar openly admitted that he is in a relationship with a 16-year-old girl.

The 60-year-old singer made the confirmation early this week, shortly after he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 5th Star Awards for Music.

"'Yung kasama ko, girlfriend... 'Yung [girlfriend ko, ano... 16 lang siya, eh," Aguilar was quoted as saying by entertainment news site Philippine Entertainment Portal in a report published Wednesday.

According to Aguilar, he didn't know the woman's age when he started courting her. "Nung malaman ko, sabi ko, 'Andun na, eh. Ano pa ang magagawa ko?' Aatras ka ba noon, eh na-in love na?" he said.

Asked how his girlfriend's parents reacted about their relationship, Aguilar said, "Tanggap na rin siguro. Sabi lang daw sa kanya, 'Mag-ingat ka diyan, babaero daw 'yan!'"

"Mag-iingat ako, kasi kung may magrereklamo, alam mo na, baka may magkatuwaan. Pero 'yung consent ng mga magulang, nasa akin," the veteran singer added.

With a 44-year age gap, Aguilar said he and his girlfriend have had to make adjustments for their relationship. He expressed confidence that their age difference won't become a problem in the long run.

"Actually, ang maganda sa kanya ay she's trying na bumagay sa akin. Ako naman, bumababa ako sa level niya," Aguilar said, detailing some of their shared activities.

"Halimbawa, gusto niyang mag-Jollibee, sasamahan ko siya doon. Minsan naman, gusto kong mag-fine dining, sasama naman siya sa akin. Gusto niyang mag-sine, kahit di ako mahilig mag-sine, sasamahan ko siya. Pero grupo kami," he said.

New family

As for being called a "cradle snatcher," Aguilar shrugged this off, saying it won't be the first time. The singer noted that his third wife was only 17 when they first became a couple.

"Hindi ko napigil na may nagsulat, kaya sabi ko, wala pa akong nabasa sa dictionary na ang meaning ng 'love' ay you have to look for the same age as you are. Walang nakalagay doon.

"Walang love means na dapat pareho kayo ng religion o pareho kayo ng estado o magkababayan kayo... walang ganun," Aguilar said.

The music veteran said he is ready to marry his current girlfriend, but added they wouldn't be allowed to wed at this time considering her age.

As for building a new family with his 16-year-old partner, Aguilar, said, "We're talking about having a baby. 'Yun ang pinag-usapan namin. Sabi ko sa kanya, 'Parang ang bata mo pa para magka-baby.' Sabi naman niya, 'Hindi, gusto kong magka-baby, e.' So, we're talking about it."

Aguilar already has six children.