MANILA – The daughter of OPM icon Freddie Aguilar has chosen to tread a different path.

In an exclusive interview with entertainment site PUSH, Maegan Aguilar said she has decided to convert from being a Roman Catholic to Islam back in September.

“As you can see I’ve changed my life. Some may say it was a drastic move but in my personal choices, personal phase of life, I entered Islam wholeheartedly,” she said.

“Buong-buo 'yung pasiya ko. Buong-buo 'yung desisyon ko. Striving to have quiet life, 'yon 'yung naging path ng buhay ko — to strive for something quiet rather than sticking it out in showbiz na masyadong competitive,” she added.

Saying said she didn’t want that life for her and her children, the younger Aguilar noted: “I wanted it to be more normal, parang ganun.”

In the same interview, she said one of her biggest influencers on why she converted to Islam was her dad.

“Actually, si tatay 'yung malaking influence ko kasi seven years na siya, eh. Nakita ko, nagbago si tatay, naging mas mabait na ama. Kung dati para siyang bato na ayaw umiyak, ayaw maka-feel ng panghihina, nabago yon,” she said.

Aguilar said she saw in her dad the changes that she also wanted for herself.

Following her change of religion, Aguilar revealed that she is also married to a Muslim, with whom she tied the knot last December.

They met during the very first Islamic medical mission Aguilar volunteered in.

“The serendipity moments happened in Ticao Island, Masbate, 6th October 2018. And soon after seeing each other in other Islamic gatherings, ayun namanhikan na siya kay tatay, asked for my hand in marriage and tied the knot… I became Mrs. Bashier Sacaguing on 21st December 2018,” she said.

Asked if she’s already closed her doors on showbiz, she said: “Masaya 'yung parang malayo ka sa hahanap ng kapintasan mo. Malayo ka sa walang gagawin kung 'di bigyan ka ng negative energy.”

Nonetheless, Aguilar is happy to be able to use her vocal skills in singing the Quran.

“Sinusubukan kong i-apply 'yung kaalaman ko sa musika para maka-recite ako ng Quran. So, sooner or later, we don’t know, I might be something that is praising Allah’s name,” she said.