A very pretty actress of the
50s and 60s, Mila Ocampo, the first Miss Philippines Press Photography,
wife of the late Von Serna, and the mother of Snooky Serna died of a lingering
illness. She died of emphysema at the age of 68. (See photo of Mila from Wordpress.com)
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Former beauty queen and actress Mila Ocampo dies
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) Mila Ocampo, mother of actress Snooky Serna, passed away Wednesday morning after a lingering battle with emphysema. She was 68.
Ocampo was also a beauty queen and actress before marrying Snooky’s father, late actor Von Serna.
“My mom was very glamorous in her youth,” Snooky told the Inquirer in a previous interview. “She was the first Miss Philippines Press Photography.”
Ocampo appeared in a number of movies in the 1950s and 1960s—most notably, classics like Manuel Silos’ “Biyaya ng Lupa” and Manuel Conde’s “Juan Tamad Goes to Society.”
In 1971, when daughter Snooky became a child star, Ocampo acted as manager and co-star in several films like “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” “The Golden Child,” “Living Doll,” among others.
In the 1980s, when Snooky was built up by Regal Films as a teen star, Ocampo was also on hand as manager and co-star in movies like “Underage,” “Strangers in Paradise,” “Summer Holiday,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Experience,” among others.
“She was a kind-hearted lady,” said filmmaker Elwood Perez who directed Ocampo in “Pakawalan Mo Ako” and “Santa Claus.”
Ocampo appeared in movies until the 1990s—in “Sinungaling Mong Puso” (1992) and “Paano Kung Wala Ka Na” (1997).
In an interview held last year, Snooky expressed her devotion to her mom. “I almost lost her . . . nag-50-50 siya. We have a love-hate relationship, but her illness has made me realize a lot of things. It has made me thankful for the little time we still have together. She really means a lot to me.”
Ocampo is survived by her children Snooky, Anton and Julian.
Ocampo’s wake is at the Holy Trinity Memorial Chapels in Parañaque. Cremation is set on Saturday
