Entertainment

The Acquaintance

The 60-year-old Philippine music legend, Freddie Aguilar, reportedly met his teen girlfriend during an election campaign concert in Oriental Mindoro last May 2013. The famous hit maker said that "babe" stood out from her group of female friends when he first saw her. Freddie Aguilar immediately wanted to have an acquaintance with the gorgeous 16-year-old girl but he had to accommodate a politician's wife.

Freddie Aguilar was hoping to get closer to "babe" and good thing the latter and her friends approached him to have a photo taken. According to Freddie, the girl said she was a fan. With no time wasted, Freddie Aguilar handed-off his calling card to the teenager.

Asked if she felt "love at first sight" upon meeting Aguilar, "babe" said, "Actually noong una, hindi eh. Akala ko joke lang eh. Kasi nga, 'diba, celebrity siya eh. Ta's ako simpleng tao lang ako do'n. Sabi ko, 'Joke ba 'to?'"

The Next Encounter

"Babe" claimed that she had no compelling reason to reach out to the music veteran. Hence, it took a couple of days before she decided to contact Freddie Aguilar. She also said that somehow she lost his calling card for a while, only to find out it still in her shorts' pocket.

One day, "babe" got bored in Oriental Mindoro so she sent a text message to the singer. They were exchanging texts messages and reached to a point when the teenager wanted to meet Freddie Aguilar in Metro Manila. "Babe" also allegedly spent 12 days in Freddie's apartment.

"Pag-uwi ko sa'min, do'n ko naramdaman na love ko na pala 'yon. Akala ko joke lang. Pagdating ko sa'min, hindi ako makatulog, laging iniisip ko siya," she said.

DH.com believes that the controversial photos showing Aguilar and babe doing a torrid kiss could have been taken during her vacation.

Her mom's consent

"Babe" immediately wanted to return "home" with Aguilar, but she has to negotiate with her mom knowing that she is not yet at the legal age.

"Tapos, ito na, sabi ko sa nanay ko, 'Ma, uwi na ako sa amin.' Sabi ng nanay ko, 'Ito ang bahay mo, saan ka uuwi?' Sabi ko, 'Kay Freddie. Hindi ko alam, ma, basta mahal ko na siya eh.'

"Tapos sabi ng nanay ko, 'Anak, mahirap 'yan, kasi, 'diba, celebrity 'yan. Maraming babae 'yan.' Sabi ko, 'Ma, okay lang 'yon, basta mahal ko siya.' (A clear indication that the girl is too young to consider the pros and cons of having a relationship.)

Tapos ayon, pinayagan niya ako dumating doon sa'min, sa bahay nila. Sabi ko, 'Ito na, love na 'to eh,'" she said.

Legal Issue

Under the Revised Penal Code, seduction of a virgin over 12 and under 18 is considered a crime against chastity. University of the Philippines College of Law Dean Danilo Concepcion said if a minor is over the age of 12 but under 18, a case can be filed for seduction if the girl was a virgin.

However, Concepcion said seduction is not considered a public offense. Thus, only a private party--not the government--can pursue a case against an accused.

Child abuse, on the other hand, is considered a public offense, meaning agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) can file a case for victims under the Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

"Sino magrereklamo eh pumapayag naman ang magulang? Pwede ang DSWD," he said.

RA 7610 makes it a state policy to "protect the family and its members particularly women and children." One of the acts considered "sexual violence" is prostitution of women or children. -Source:ABS-CBN news

Freddie Aguilar is set to marry his teenager girlfriend in two years time.