Palace mourns passing of Armida Siguion-Reyna

MANILA, Philippines – Malacanang on Tuesday condoled with the family of the late singer-actress  Armida  Siguion-Reyna as it hailed her “immense” contribution to the film and television industry.

Siguion-Reyna passed away on Monday. She was 88.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the “entertainment world has lost one of its pillars and the Palace expresses its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the former Movie and Television Review Classification Board (MTRCB) Chairperson.”

Panelo also condoled with the Enriles.  Siguion-Reyna is a half-sister of former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

“The Philippines, particularly the music, television and film industries had been immense in terms of the contribution of the late Armida Siguion-Reyna,” Panelo said in a palace briefing.

The Palace official remembered “like many others of my generation and the succeeding ones, we grew up as well as they, watching the television program Aawitan Kita which she hosted and produced on television for more than 30 years.”

“That particular show popularized kundiman songs which lately have been aired on radio, songs like “Anak Dalita” and “Dahil Sa ‘yo”.

“Now if you look at her biography, specifically that biographical book, fear was not in her vocabulary, and if you have witnessed how this woman faced her detractors as well as her critics, immediately you will know that this woman was one who had an independent mind of her own and a principled citizen at that and she had demonstrated this kind of character all throughout her career,  specifically when she was the chairman of the MTRCB where she defended artistic liberties in cinema,” he said.

“Her voice, whether singing kundimans or advocating free expression,” Panelo added, “would be missed by many of us so we pray for the eternal repose of her soul and may perpetual light shine upon her.” /gsg

READ: Armida Siguion-Reyna passes away at 88