Armida Siguion-Reyna, music icon, dies at 88

PHILIPPINE movie and music icon Armida Siguion- Reyna has passed away at the age of 88.

Former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile said he and his siblings mourned the passing of Armida and called on Filipinos not to forget his sister.

Siguion- Reyna was a multifaceted icon with notable accomplishments as a singer, actress, and producer. She also headed the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. She is best known for her TV show, “Aawitan Kita,” the longest- running musical show in the country that bagged awards.

Enrile said Armida, his halfsister, contracted pneumonia.

“Ang hinihingi ko lang sam ga Pilipino— lalo na sa kabataan — ay huwag na huwag ninyo siyang kalimutan (My only wish to Filipinos — especially the youth — is never forget her),” Enrile said in a statement.

“Hi na hangaan ko ang kan yang pelik ula. I pin a gm a mal akiko na na gin gt any ag si ya( I admired her decision to enter the movies. I am proud that she became famous),” he added

The veteran lawmaker said his sister contributed much to showbiz. “I si nu long ni ya ang wika nat ins a kan yang mg a kant a (She promoted our [Filipino] language in her songs),” he said.

Enrile said he and SiguionReyna were close as he reminisced their younger days.

“Naalala ko pa noong ar away sinasamahan ko siya pumuntang party, at ka hit may ba has a Maynila, ipinag mamaneho ko siya ( I remember those days when I accompanied her to parties. Even if there were floods in Manila, I drove for her),” he said.

Siguion- Reyna was a leading voice on the issue of film censorship. As a liberal thinker, she called on the MTRCB to scrap film censorship and lauded independent filmmakers for showcasing their uncensored films abroad. She joined an anti- censorship rally with National Artists including Bien Lumbera, Lino Brocka, and Ishmael Bernal among others — a fearless move that further carved Siguion-Reyna’s name as one of the best industry leaders.

She was the mother of award- winning film director Carlos Siguion Reyna.