‘The Unsinkable’ Mr. Eddie Ilarde

Radio-TV host. Public servant (councilor, congressman, assemblyman, senator). Husband and father. A familiar and much admired name since the ‘50s up to now.

That’s Eddie Ilarde who’s associated with such long-lasting and top-rating radio-TV shows Kahapon Lamang (drama) and Student Canteen and Darigold Jamboree (musical-variety). ‘The Unsinkable’ he may well be called.

A few years back, the Philippine Movie Press Club (Star Awards for TV) gave Ilarde a lifetime achievement award. A much-deserved if long-delayed recognition.

In 1959, Vera Perez Production, sister company of Sampaguita Pictures, produced a movie version of Kahapon Lamang, as emceed by Ilarde, and topbilled by the country’s biggest stars. It had four stories whose titles were ‘borrowed’ from popular songs.

To date, Ilarde still hosts the radio version of Kahapon Lamang and heads a group senior citizens who are into music and public service.

Fluent in Filipino and English, Ilarde is a true Bicolano from Iriga, Camarines Sur, born Aug. 25, 1934, the son of a guerilla killed for his anti-Japanese activities and public school teacher. He finished elementary and high-school in Iriga with honors and graduated with an AB Journalism degree at Far Eatern University, where he was a gold medalist in oratorical and debating contests.

As lawmaker, Ilarde exposed graft and corruption and authored laws creating the Police Commission and providing low-cost homes for the poor.

He’s married to the former Sylvia Berenger Arrastia of Pampanga and fathered seven children: Dino, Aldo, Nilo, Liza, Rico, Paulo and Lara.

Rico is a filmmaker and Liza a magazine editor. — RKC