Sampaguita actress and Heart Evangelista's aunt, Liberty Ilagan, passes away at 76

Former Sampaguita actress and Heart Evangelista's aunt, Liberty Ilagan, died at the age 76.

The news was confirmed by her three children--Happy Ongpauco-Tiu, Love Ongpauco-Fallorina, and Sunshine Ongpauco-- in a joint statement posted on Instagram, released yesterday, March 17.

The former actress is said to have died due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and cardiac arrest.

It said: “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 mom 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.”

The statement also said that the family will be postponing its Thanksgiving Memorial Celebration due to the coronavirus pandemic.

View this post on Instagram

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

Friends and relatives of the late actress shared their grief with the family, including Kapuso actress Heart Evangelista.

She wrote, “Oh, Tita :( We will miss you… Condolences, Ate Happy.”

Liberty Ilagan is the daughter of National Artist and actor-director Gerry de Leon, who directed films in the '50s and '60s including “Noli Me Tangere,” “El Filibusterismo,” “Diego Silang,” and “Sisa.”

Her career started at the age of four where she starred in several movies as a child actress.

She was married to Filipino restaurant owner Rod Ongpauco of Barrio Fiesta with whom she had three children. After their marriage was annulled, she then married real estate lawyer Carlos Lardizabal.