Armida Siguion-Reyna Explained

Armida Siguion-Reyna
Office:Chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board
President:Joseph Estrada
Term Start:June 30, 1998
Term End:January 20, 2001
Predecessor:Jesus C. Sison
Successor:Nicanor Tiongson
Birth Name:Armida Liwanag Ponce Enrile
Birth Date:4 November 1930
Birth Place:Malabon, Rizal, Philippine Islands
Death Place:Makati, Philippines
Relatives:Juan Ponce Enrile (half-brother)

Armida Siguion-Reyna (born Armida Liwanag Ponce Enrile; November 4, 1930February 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

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] Siguion-Reyna spent her childhood with her parents and siblings in their house in Malabon. She studied at the Far Eastern University and Philippine Women's University, which are both in Manila. She also studied at the United States for her high school and college education. 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.

She (aged 18) and her sister, artist Irma Potenciano,[5] met their half-brother Juan Ponce Enrile.[6]

Career

Theatrical roles

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).

Television

Siguion-Reyna was the presenter for the television programmes "Cooking Atbp." ("Cooking etc.") and the award-winning "Áawitan Kita" ("I Will Sing for You"). "Áawitan Kita" aired for over 30 years and was one of longest-running musical television shows in the Philippines.[7] [8]

Music

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).[9] 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.[10]

Film

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").[11] 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

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.[12]

As a public servant

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. 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.[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. Though, she was criticized for being biased on film produced by her own production outfit and by her friends. 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.

Her term ended in 2001 after Estrada was ousted through the Second EDSA Revolution.

Death

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

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Film Company
2002-2003 Kung Mawawala Ka Romina Salgado
2001-2003 Sa Puso Ko, Iingatan Ka Lourdes Lizandro ABS-CBN

Movies

Year Title Role Film Company
2012 BwakawAlicia Star Cinema
2009 FuchsiaJuana APT Entertainment
2003 Xerex Juanita Regal Entertainment
Filipinas Florencia Filipinas VIVA Films
2002 9 Mornings Lola Meding Star Cinema
1996 Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin Ima Reyna Films
1995 Harvest Home Almeda Reyna Films
1992 Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin Cesar's mother Regal Entertainment
1991 Shake, Rattle & Roll III Mrs. Redoblado Regal Entertainment
Una Kang Naging Akin Doña Margarita Soriano VIVA Films
Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M. Mrs. Estrella MRN Films
1990 Isabel Aquino: I Want to Live Mrs. Rodriguez Regal Entertainment
Nagsimula sa Puso Mrs. Fernandez Star Cinema
1989 Doña Marissa Banal FPJ Productions
Barbi: Maid in the Philippines Señora Elvira FilmStar
1988 Hati Tayo sa Magdamag Doña Concha Revilla VIVA Films <-- Mar 9 -->
Ibulong Mo sa Diyos Portia Quijano Regal Films <-- Feb 4 -->
Huwag Mong Itanong Kung Bakit Doña Elvira Cuevas
1987 Salamangkero Mikula Aces Film
1986 Magdusa Ka! Doña Perla Doliente VIVA Films
Inday, Inday sa Balitaw Isabel Pabustan Regal Films
I Love You, Mama, I Love You, Papa Doña Aurora Villena Regal Films
1985 Till We Meet Again Señora Rosario San Victories
Kailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita? Señora Amelia Abelardo VIVA Films
PartidaDoña Lucila FPJ Productions
1984 SomewhereDoña Corazon Morena VIVA Films
1984 Basag Ang Pula Nida Rivera Cine Suerte Inc.
1983 Paano Ba ang Mangarap? Señora Francia Monteverde VIVA Films
1982 Batch '81 Sid's mother MVP Pictures
1981 Jag Rodnar Armida de Jesus Sweden Productions
1980 Pag-ibig Na Walang Dangal Bancom Audiovision Corporation
1980 Kakabakaba Ka Ba? Madame Lily
1978 AtsayMrs. Yulo Ian Film Productions
1977 Bianong Bulag Biano’s Mother LVN Pictures
1977 Mga Bilanggong Birhen Felipa PERA Films
1976 Usigin ang Maysala Bairan Film Production
1975 Sa Pagitan ng Dalawang Langit Florence Production & Co.
1975 Dung-Aw Gabriela Silang PERA Films
1973 Babalik Ka Rin Bancom AudioVision
1939 Yaman Ng Mahirap Unnamed (first film appearance as an extra)

Notes and References

  1. News: The Many Roles of Armida. Tiongson. Nicanor G.. April 25, 2010. The Philippine Star. February 13, 2019. Nicanor Tiongson.
  2. News: Kundiman stalwart Armida Siguion-Reyna, 88. February 13, 2019. BusinessWorld. February 13, 2019.
  3. Book: Riazzoli, Mirko. A Chronology of the Cinema Volume 1 From the pioneers to 1960. Youcanprint. 2017. 9788892685482.
  4. News: Armida's life and times recounted in biography. Enriquez. Marge C.. February 23, 2015. Philippine Daily Inquirer. en. February 13, 2019.
  5. News: Curtain call for Armida Siguion-Reyna. Lo. Ricky. Ricky Lo. February 12, 2019. The Philippine Star. February 13, 2019.
  6. News: 'She has art in her heart': Armida Siguion-Reyna dies at 88. Leah C.. Salterio. February 11, 2019. ABS-CBN News.
  7. News: Palace condoles with kin of late entertainment icon Armida Siguion-Reyna. February 12, 2019. ABS-CBN News. February 13, 2019.
  8. News: 'Aawitan Kita' star Armida Siguion-Reyna launches biography. Santiago. Ervin. February 24, 2015. Philippine Daily Inquirer. en. February 13, 2019.
  9. News: Entertainment personalities mourn passing of Armida Siguion-Reyna. Aguilar. Krissy. February 12, 2019. Philippine Daily Inquirer. en. February 13, 2019.
  10. Web site: Gil . Baby A. . December 31, 2003 . Tagubilin from your Pop Lola Armida . 2024-07-25 . Philippine Star.
  11. News: Armida Siguion-Reyna yumao sa edad na 88. Relativo. James. February 11, 2019. The Philippine Star. tl. February 13, 2019.
  12. Web site: Armida Siguion-Reyna. 2006. globalpinoy.com. Cultural Heritage. https://web.archive.org/web/20061020201212/http://www.globalpinoy.com/ch/ch_category.php?category=pinoymusicians&name=Armida%20Siguion-Reyna&table=ch_pinoymusicians&startpage=1&endpage=15. October 20, 2006. February 14, 2019.
  13. News: 'Armida': A biography. February 28, 2015. The Manila Times. en. February 13, 2018.
  14. News: Palace hails life of 'principled citizen' Armida Siguion-Reyna. Lopez. Virgil. February 12, 2019. GMA News. en-US. February 13, 2019.
  15. News: 'Aawitan Kita': In biography, Armida Siguion-Reyna faces the music. Cañares-Yamsuan. Cathy. February 23, 2015. Philippine Daily Inquirer. en. February 13, 2019.
  16. News: MTRCB heads that said "Cut!". Godinez. Bong. September 21, 2007. Philippine Entertainment Portal. February 13, 2019.