The ‘bomba’ forced Liberty to early retirement

The new generation of movie fans probably doesn’t have any idea who Liberty Ilagan is, rather was. If they ask the Baby Boomers, they will be told that Liberty was one of the popular Sampaguita stars led by Susan Roces and Amalia Fuentes who were pitted with each other by the fans (in the same way that latter-day stars Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos were).

These days, we often see Liberty in society pages, enjoying to the hilt the joys of early retirement.

“I retired because of the ‘bomba’ trend,” Liberty told Funfare, referring to the genre that became known as “ST” (Sex Trip) and then “Bold.” “Being old-fashioned, I couldn’t see myself doing ‘bomba’ scene even with ‘doubles’.”

She married retired actor Rod Ongpauco (recently figured in this corner as “the man who invented Crispy Pata”), an enterprising young man who at that time was starting the Barrio Fiesta chain of restaurants.

“It was a good marriage,” said Liberty. “We were blessed with three children, Love, Happy and Soeng. Rod was a good husband, but…We decided to separate after 24 years of marriage due to irreconcilable differences. We are both with our new loves. I am now married to (lawyer) Carlos Lardizabal. My children with Rod are all married. I have seven grandchildren, and they will be eight any day now because Happy is due to give birth.”

Did you know that National Artist for Cinema Gerry de Leon was Liberty’s father?

“It’s unfortunate that I didn’t do any movie with my father because in the first place he didn’t want me to be an actress,” recalled Liberty. “Even when I produced the movie Brownout, he chose not to direct me.”

Among her Sampaguita movies, Liberty considers Lover Boy, directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa with the late Romeo Vasquez in the title role, as her favorite. The other is I Miss You So, produced by Larry Santiago Productions, for which she wrote the story.

“It’s unfortunate that when I was in Sampaguita,” said Liberty, “there was no place for me because it was the time of Susan and Amalia. When my contract expired, the James Bond/action trend started. Followed by the ‘bomba’ trend. I am thankful to God that I enjoyed success as an actress and have fans who love me. Although I am no longer in showbiz, I am not retired. I am busy managing Barrio Fiesta (on Makati Avenue) and Liberty Royal Corporation.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)