Freddie Aguilar: It was love at first sight

MANILA, Philippines - Freddie Aguilar revealed Friday that the first time he saw his 16-year-old girlfriend, he immediately fell in love with her.

"Kasama namin siya sa isang campaign... No’ng nakita ko siya, nag-stand out siya sa crowd," Freddie said in an interview with ANC's Headstart.

The iconic Filipino folk singer said that he thought the girl was between 20 and 21 years old because of her built and she's "mature-looking."

“So hindi ko na siya nakita after that, I kept looking kung asan na siya. Natapos ang performance ko sa campaign, of course may mga picture taking. Tapos bigla siyang lumapit sa akin," he said.

He said he did not have time to talk with the girl, but he was able to hand her his calling card.

A few days later, the girl sent him a text message and the rest was history.

Freddie said that though he is already 60 years old, he courted the girl the modern way... through texting.

All throughout the courtship, the singer said he did not dare ask the girl's age.

“It hasn’t been my style. In fact that’s rude for a lady to ask her age. I was made to believe that na gano’n, ‘wag ka magtatanong ng edad ng babae kasi hindi tama,” he explained.

Freddie said that he found the courage to ask the girl -- through a text message -- if she could be his girlfriend.

There was a momentary lull from their text exchanges after the big question, but a few days later the girl answered yes.

Freddie said that after the girl's positive reply, he finally asked her age.

Not right

Freddie said that when the girl told him that she was only 16 years old, he felt that having a relationship with her would not be right.

But, because they are already in a relationship and that he really feels for her, he decided to talk to the girl's parents to get their nod.

He said that it was really fortunate that the girl's parents are open-minded and accepted their relationship.

Freddie said that the girl's mother even told him: "My daughter loves you so much. Please take care of her."

He said he plans to marry the girl in two years "if God willing."

In love, age doesn't matter

The singer admits that a lot of people have warned him of the girl's possible reason for having a relationship with him, like for instance money.

He said he just shrugs off the allegations on his girlfriend.

Freddie said he is also aware that the public does not approve of his relationship with the girl because of the 44-year age gap.

“I’m in the limelight, I happened to be a celebrity. But if it happened that I’m an ordinary guy they would say, ‘Ang suwerte naman ng matandang ‘to, may girlfriend na bata,’” he said.

He added: “The last time I looked in the dictionary, in love it doesn’t say there that you should be of the same age, same status, same intellects or whatever. Wala naman boundary ang pag-ibig sa huling nalaman ko.”