Eddie Ilarde


Edgardo "Eddie" U. Ilarde is a Filipino radio and television host who was elected to one term in the Philippine Senate. He also served one term each as a congressman and as an Assemblyman of the Interim Batasang Pambansa. On radio and television, he hosted such programs as Kahapon Lamang, Student Canteen, and Darigold Jamboree. His first office as a public servant was being a councilor of Pasay City in the early '60s.

Early life

Ilarde was born in Iriga, Camarines Sur. After finishing high school, he migrated to Manila and worked as a bootblack and a newspaper vendor until his brother had him enroll in college. He obtained a bachelor's degree in journalism from the 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 and Napakasakit, Kuya Eddie. Together with Bobby Ledesma and Leila Benitez, Ilarde co-hosted on DZXL a noontime variety show, Student Canteen, which the threesome would continue to host when the program transferred to television in 1958.

Politician

Ilarde first ventured into politics in 1963 when he won election to the city council of Pasay City. 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 5 of his party-mates were elected to the 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, 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 promotes to this day.

Present day

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 is 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 is assisted in his present day endeavors by his loyal friends - Ariston "Aris" Bautista and Ferdie Pasion. He also hosts radio program Kahapon Lamang that airs over DZBB every Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

TV shows