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Armida Siguion-Reyna

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Armida Siguion-Reyna
Reyna at the National Artist award protest in August 7, 2009, photograph by Ofelia T. Sta. Maria of The Philippine Online Chronicles
Chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board
In office
June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001
PresidentJoseph Estrada
Preceded byJesus C. Sison
Succeeded byNicanor Tiongson (acting)
Personal details
Born
Armida Ponce-Enrile y Liwanag

(1930-11-04)4 November 1930
Malabon, Rizal, Philippine Islands
Died11 February 2019(2019-02-11) (aged 88)
Makati, Philippines
Political partyPMP (2001)
RelativesJuan Ponce Enrile (half-brother)

Armida P. de Siguion-Reyna (born Armida Ponce-Enrile; November 4, 1930 – February 11, 2019) was a Filipina singer, film and stage actress, producer and television show host. She was the chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board during the Estrada administration from 1998 to 2001.

Early life and education

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Armida Siguion-Reyna was born as Armida Liwanag Ponce Enrile[1] on November 4, 1930,[2] in Malabon,[3] the daughter of Alfonso Ponce Enrile, her Spanish mestizo father who was a lawyer and regional politician, and Purita Liwanag, her mother who was one of the early graduates of the University of the Philippines College of Music.[4][5] Siguion-Reyna spent her childhood with her parents and siblings in their house in Malabon.[5] She studied at the Far Eastern University and Philippine Women's University, which are both in Manila.[6][4] She also studied at the United States for her high school and college education.[5] She completed high school at Academy of St. Joseph in New York, although, she did not finish her college studies at the Georgian Court University in New Jersey after being broken-hearted.[4][5]

She was 18 years old when she and her sister, artist Irma Potenciano,[7] met their half-brother Juan Ponce Enrile.[4][5][a][why?]

Career

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Theatrical roles

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In the world of operas, Siguion-Reyna performed lead singing roles in Lucia de Lammersville, Rigoletto, La Traviata, I Pagliacci, The Merry Widow, and the zarzuela Ang Mestiza (The Mestiza).[6]

Television

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Siguion-Reyna was the presenter for the television programmes "Cooking Atbp." ("Cooking etc.") and the award-winning "Áawitan Kita" ("I Will Sing for You").[6] "Áawitan Kita" aired for over 30 years and was one of longest-running musical television shows in the Philippines.[8][9]

Music

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Siguion-Reyna recorded musical albums such as the two volumes of "Aawitan Kita" (Villar Records), "Armida" (Dyna Music), and "Sa Lungkot at Saya... Aawitan Kita" ("In Sadness and Happiness... I Will Sing For You," Viva Records).[10] In 2003, she released the album Pop Lola (Viva Records). The album includes the track "Tagubilin at Habilin", with music composed by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab.[11]

Film

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In 1975, Siguion-Reyna was awarded best supporting actress during the Bacolod Film Festival for her performance in the film "Sa Pagitan ng Dalawang Langit" ("In Between Two Heavens").[12] Later on she would be well known for collaborations with big names actresses such as Alma Moreno and a kontrabida (villain) to actresses Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor in several films. She is well known for also co-producing films with her son and having Maricel Soriano and Rosanna Roces in films and Dawn Zulueta these actresses have been in two films of Siguion-Reyna.

Producer

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As a producer, Siguion-Reyna produced and starred in her own 16-mm film musicals entitled "Dung-aw," "Lakambini," "Supremo" (on the life on Andrés Bonifacio), "Pagpatak ng Ulan" ("When The Rain Falls"), and "Sisa." She had two film production companies. Her Pera Films company produced the movies "Laruang Apoy" ("Playing Fire") and "Bilanggong Birhen" ("Jailed Virgin"). She managed Reyna Films Company with her son Carlitos, who was a two-time award recipient.[6]

As a public servant

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During the Presidency of Joseph Estrada, Siguion-Reyna was appointed as the chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) in 1998.[2] She was known to be an advocate of freedom of speech and artistic liberties in film.[13][14] Even before she became the chairperson of MTRCB, she fought against censorship and together with peers like Lino Brocka, Behn Cervantes and Ishmael Bernal, they had protested the actions of Siguion-Reyna's predecessors, specifically Manuel Morato and Henrietta Mendez.[5][15]

When she was MTRCB's chair, her board members consisted of anti-censorship people.[16] They were lenient in rating films to be shown publicly in theaters.[16] Though, she was criticized for being biased on film produced by her own production outfit and by her friends.[16] She countered her critics and said that the board did not grant permits to films showing purely sexual content and thus, the films were given X-rating, which means that those films were not suitable to be shown in cinemas.[16]

Her term ended in 2001 after Estrada was ousted through the Second EDSA Revolution.[16] She later ran for representative of the 1st district of Makati under Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, but lost to former Press Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.

Death

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Siguion-Reyna died of cancer in Makati at the age of 88, on February 11, 2019.[4]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role
1939 Yaman Ng Mahirap Unnamed (first film appearance as an extra)
1973 Babalik Ka Rin
1975 Dung-Aw Gabriela Silang
Sa Pagitan ng Dalawang Langit
1976 Usigin ang Maysala
1977 Mga Bilanggong Birhen Felipa
Bianong Bulag Biano’s Mother
1978 Atsay Mrs. Yulo
1980 Kakabakaba Ka Ba? Madame Lily
Pag-ibig Na Walang Dangal
1981 Jag Rodnar Armida de Jesus
1982 Batch '81 Sid's mother
1983 Paano Ba ang Mangarap? Señora Francia Monteverde
1984 Basag Ang Pula Nida Rivera
Somewhere Doña Corazon Morena
1985 Partida Doña Lucila
Kailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita? Señora Amelia Abelardo
Till We Meet Again Señora Rosario San Victories
1986 I Love You, Mama, I Love You, Papa Doña Aurora Villena
Inday, Inday sa Balitaw Isabel Pabustan
Magdusa Ka! Doña Perla Doliente
1987 Salamangkero Mikula
1988 Huwag Mong Itanong Kung Bakit Doña Elvira Cuevas
Ibulong Mo sa Diyos Portia Quijano
Hati Tayo sa Magdamag Doña Concha Revilla
1989 Barbi: Maid in the Philippines Señora Elvira
Wanted: Pamilya Banal Doña Marissa Banal
1990 Nagsimula sa Puso Mrs. Fernandez
Isabel Aquino: I Want to Live Mrs. Rodriguez
1991 Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M. Mrs. Estrella
Una Kang Naging Akin Doña Margarita Soriano
Shake, Rattle & Roll III Mrs. Redoblado
1992 Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin Cesar's mother
1995 Harvest Home Almeda
1996 Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin Ima
2002 9 Mornings Lola Meding
2003 Filipinas Florencia Filipinas
Xerex Juanita
2009 Fuchsia Juana
2012 Bwakaw Alicia

Television

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Year Title Role Ref
1970–2005 Aawitan Kita Herself/performer [17]
2001–2003 Sa Puso Ko, Iingatan Ka Lourdes Lizandro
2002–2003 Kung Mawawala Ka Romina Salgado

Notes

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  1. ^ Based on the sources given here, it seems that Juan Ponce Enrile is three years older than Armida Siguion-Reyna but other sources say that their ages are six years apart since those other sources describe Ponce Enrile being born in 1924[18] while Siguion-Reyna in 1930.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Tiongson, Nicanor G. (April 25, 2010). "The Many Roles of Armida". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Kundiman stalwart Armida Siguion-Reyna, 88". BusinessWorld. February 13, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  3. ^ Riazzoli, Mirko (2017). A Chronology of the Cinema Volume 1 From the pioneers to 1960. Youcanprint. ISBN 9788892685482.
  4. ^ a b c d e Salterio, Leah C. (February 11, 2019). "'She has art in her heart': Armida Siguion-Reyna dies at 88". ABS-CBN News.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Enriquez, Marge C. (February 23, 2015). "Armida's life and times recounted in biography". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d "Armida Siguion-Reyna". globalpinoy.com. Cultural Heritage. 2006. Archived from the original on October 20, 2006. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  7. ^ Lo, Ricky (February 12, 2019). "Curtain call for Armida Siguion-Reyna". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  8. ^ "Palace condoles with kin of late entertainment icon Armida Siguion-Reyna". ABS-CBN News. February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  9. ^ Santiago, Ervin (February 24, 2015). "'Aawitan Kita' star Armida Siguion-Reyna launches biography". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  10. ^ Aguilar, Krissy (February 12, 2019). "Entertainment personalities mourn passing of Armida Siguion-Reyna". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  11. ^ Gil, Baby A. (December 31, 2003). "Tagubilin from your Pop Lola Armida". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
  12. ^ Relativo, James (February 11, 2019). "Armida Siguion-Reyna yumao sa edad na 88". The Philippine Star (in Tagalog). Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  13. ^ "'Armida': A biography". The Manila Times. February 28, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  14. ^ Lopez, Virgil (February 12, 2019). "Palace hails life of 'principled citizen' Armida Siguion-Reyna". GMA News. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  15. ^ Cañares-Yamsuan, Cathy (February 23, 2015). "'Aawitan Kita': In biography, Armida Siguion-Reyna faces the music". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  16. ^ a b c d e Godinez, Bong (September 21, 2007). "MTRCB heads that said "Cut!"". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  17. ^ Enriquez, Marge C. (2019-02-11). "Armida's life and times recounted in biography". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  18. ^ Bueza, Michael (February 14, 2014). "10 things you may not know about JPE". Rappler. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
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