Armida P. de Siguion-Reyna (born Armida 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 on November 4, 1930, in Malabon, 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. 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.

Her sister is artist Irma Potenciano, while her half-brother is politician Juan Ponce Enrile.

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.

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). 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.

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"). 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.

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. 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.

When she was MTRCB's chair, her board members consisted of anti-censorship people. 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. 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 Siguion-Reyna died of cancer in Makati at the age of 88, on February 11, 2019.

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

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