Former Sampaguita Pictures star Liberty Ilagan passes away at 76

Former Sampaguita Pictures actress Liberty Ilagan has died at 76 after battling a chronic lung disease.

The news of her passing was confirmed by one of her daughters, Happy Ongpauco-Tiu, on Instagram Tuesday.

"She lost her battle to COPD complications and had a cardiac arrest," read a portion of Happy's caption.

 

 

 

 

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We are heartbroken to announce that our dearest Mom, Liberty Ilagan has joined our Creator. She lost her battle to COPD complications and had a cardiac arrest. Our Mom lived a full and glorious life. Mom was a beautiful woman with a golden heart. She was a loving and wonderful mother to us, a doting Mamam to her grandchildren, and a caring and devoted wife. Above all, our mother was a true and faithful child of God. We are the luckiest children in the world to have had the privilege to call her Mom. Your prayers, loving thoughts and supportive words bring comfort to us during this time of sorrow. Though we will miss her terribly, we are happy that she is now free from suffering and is reunited with our Lord and all our loved ones who have gone on. Mom must be so touched to be remembered so fondly and be held in such high esteem by all of you. We are happy to have shared our MOM with you?? There are no words to describe our grief.... If she left us when she is 100 years old, it would still be too soon. We love you, Mom. We will carry your love and memories in our hearts forever. In the light of the current Pandemic situation, we will postpone her Thanksgiving Memorial Celebration to another time. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. ?????? - Love @loveofallorina , Happy and Soeng @engsteriffic

A post shared by Happy Ongpauco-Tiu (@happyongpauco_tiu) on

Mar 17, 2020 at 1:55am PDT

"We are heartbroken to announce that our dearest Mom Liberty Ilagan has joined our Creator," Happy wrote in a caption, sharing a video featuring photos of her mother.

Happy described her mom as "a beautiful woman with a golden heart, who lived a full and glorious life."

"She was a loving and wonderful mother to us, a doting Mamam to her grandchildren, and a caring and devoted wife. Above all, our mother was a true and faithful child of God."

Due to the rise in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country, Liberty's thanksgiving memorial celebration will be held at a later date.

Liberty started her acting career at the age of 4.

She rose to fame as a star of Sampaguita pictures in the late '50s to '60s, appearing in movies like "Lover Boy", "Tindahan Ni Aling Epang" and "Umibig Ay Di Biro."

Liberty is the daughter of National Artist Director Gerry de Leon. She is also the aunt of Kapuso style icon and actress Heart Evangelista.

Several of her family, friends and personalities expressed their sympathies to Liberty's family. 

Among them was Heart who commented on Happy's post: "Oh tita:( we will miss you... condolences ate happy."

Condolences to the family. — Angelica Y. Yang/LA, GMA News