Eddie Ilarde

Edgar Ubalde Ilarde (August 25, 1934 – August 4, 2020) was a Filipino radio and television host. On radio and television, he hosted programs such as ''Kahapon Lamang'', '' Student Canteen'', and ''Darigold Jamboree''.

His first position as a public servant was being a councilor of Pasay in the early '60s. He was also elected for one term in the Philippine Senate. He also served one term respectively as a congressman and as an Assemblyman of the Interim Batasang Pambansa.

Early life

Ilarde was born in Iriga, Camarines Sur. He moved to Manila after high school, where worked as a bootblack and a newspaper vendor until college. He obtained his bachelor's degree in journalism from Far Eastern University.

Media personality

While in college, he had won in an oratorical contest and drew the notice of a radio executive. He found work in various radio stations in Manila, and soon was among the most popular radio hosts of the 1950s. His shows during that period aired over DZBB, DZRH and the Lopez-owned DZXL. From his advice program ''Kahapon Lamang'' were formed the popular catchphrases ''Dear Kuya Eddie'' (later, the title of one of Ilarde's subsequent programs) and ''Napakasakit, Kuya Eddie'' ("Very painful, Brother Eddie"; later became the title of the theme song performed by Roel Cortez).

Ilarde co-hosted on DZXL with Bobby Ledesma and Leila Benitez the noontime variety show '' Student Canteen'', which they would continue to host when the program was brought to television in 1958.

Political career

Ilarde first ventured into politics in 1963 when he was elected as councilor of Pasay. Two years later, as an independent candidate, he defeated the incumbent congressman of the 1st District of Rizal and was elected to the House of Representatives. During his service in the 6th Congress, Ilarde served as Chairperson of the Committee on Fishing Industries.

Even though an Independent, Ilarde found himself in frequent agreement with the Liberal Party, which included him in its senatorial slate for the 1969 elections. With re-electionist President Ferdinand Marcos successfully leading the Nacionalista Party slate, Ilarde fell over 300,000 votes shy of election to the Senate. Having given up his seat in the House to run for the Senate, Ilarde ran again for the Senate under the Liberal Party banner in the 1971 elections. Ilarde, along with the other members of his party's senatorial ticket, was injured in the bombing at Plaza Miranda of their final political rally.

While recuperating from his injuries, Ilarde and five (5) of his party-mates were elected to the eight (8) Senate vacancies. Ilarde assumed office as a Senator of the 7th Congress in January 1972. However, his term was interrupted when Congress was closed in September of that year following the declaration of martial law by President Marcos.

By 1978, Ilarde had allied himself with President Marcos. Running under the Marcos' political party Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (or the New Society Movement), Ilarde won election to the Interim Batasang Pambansa as an Assemblyman representing Metro Manila. He served until 1984. While at the Batasan, he drew attention for his proposal to rename the country "Maharlika", an advocacy which he promoted until his death.

Later life

In 2004, Ilarde ran for a Senate seat as an independent candidate, but managed to place only 33rd of 48 candidates.

Ilarde was honored to be one of PMPC Star Awards for Television's Lifetime Achievement Awardees.

Ilarde was the founder and chairman of the Maharlika Foundation For National Transformation Inc., and the Golden Eagles Society International Inc. The latter is an organization of senior citizens in the Philippines. He was assisted in his endeavors by his loyal friends - Ariston "Aris" Bautista and Ferdie Pasion. He also hosted radio program ''Kahapon Lamang'' that airs over DZBB (owned and operated by GMA Network Station) every Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Death

Ilarde died on August 4, 2020, at the age of 85, exactly three weeks shy of his 86th birthday. His family clarified that his death was due to natural causes, which is not related to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and that his remains would be cremated. His death came four months after his original '' Student Canteen'' female co-host, Leila Benitez-McCollum, died on April 9, 2020.

Filmography

TV shows

*''The Eddie Ilarde Show'' (ABS-CBN, 1959–1962)
*''Darigold Jamboree'' ( MBC)
*''Swerte Sa Siyete'' (GMA Network, 1976–1986)
*'' Student Canteen'' (ABS-CBN, 1958–1965; GMA Network, 1975–1986, RPN, 1989–1990)
*''Kahapon Lamang'' (GMA Network, 1976–1986)
*''Napakasakit, Kuya Eddie'' (ABS-CBN, 1986–1988)
*''Alas Dose sa Trese'' (IBC, 1999–2000)

TV Specials

*GMA @ 45: The GMA 45th Anniversary Documentary Special (GMA 7, 1995)
*GMA Gold @ The GMA 50th Anniversary Special (GMA 7, 2000)
*No. 1 @ 55: The GMA 55th Anniversary Special (GMA 7, 2005)
*GMA News @ 50: The GMA News 50th Anniversary Documentary Special (2009)
*GMA @ 60: The GMA 60th Anniversary TV Special (GMA 2010)
*Thank You Kapuso: GMA @ 65: The GMA 65th Anniversary TV Special (GMA 7, 2015)

Radio

*Napakasakit, Kuya Eddie (Super Radyo DZBB 594 AM, 1973–1995)
*Kahapon Lamang (Super Radyo DZBB 594 AM, 1973–2002; 2012–2020)

Movies

*Dear Eddie (Premiere Entertainment Productions, 1963)
*Napakasakit, Kuya Eddie The Movie (Special People Productions, 1986) - Host Cameo
*Omeng Satanasia (RVQ Productions, 1977) - Lunch Show Host

Notes

References

*
* 'The Unsinkable' Mr. Eddie Ilarde, from Remember When? by Danny Dolor, The Philippine Star, 21 April 2013.

External links

*

Eddie Ilarde
on Myspace

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ilarde, Eddie
1934 births
2020 deaths
People from Makati
People from Pasay
Filipino radio personalities
Filipino television variety show hosts
Kilusang Bagong Lipunan politicians
Bicolano politicians
Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Rizal
Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Metro Manila
Senators of the 7th Congress of the Philippines
Liberal Party (Philippines) politicians
Far Eastern University alumni
GMA Network personalities
ABS-CBN personalities