Singer, film, and stage actress Armida Siguion-Reyna passed away yesterday Monday due to cancer. She was 88.
In the world of opera, Armida performed lead singing roles in “Lucia de Lammermoor,” “Rigoletto,” “La Traviata,” “I Pagliacci,”“The Merry Widow,” and the zarzuela “Ang Mestiza.”
She was the presenter for the television programs “Cooking Atbp” and the award-winning “Áawitan Kita.” She recorded musical albums such as “Aawitan Kita,” “Armida,” and “Sa Lungkot at Saya…Aawitan Kita.”
Her film credits include “Paano ba ang Mangarap,” “Inagaw mo ang Lahat sa Akin,” “Sa Pagitan ng Dalawang Langit,” “Ibulong Mo sa Diyos,” and “Wanted: Pamilya Banal” and “Partida” with the late Fernando Poe Jr. She also served as a chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board during the Estrada administration.
Under Reyna Films, Armida produced blockbuster movies such as “Ang Hihintayin sa Langit,” “Ikaw pa Lamang ang Minahal,” “Ligaya ang Itawag mo sa Akin,” and “Ang Lalake sa Buhay ni Selya.”
In 2015, the late veteran singer released the autobiography “Armida: Unfinished Memoir – The Singer and the Song.”
Armida leaves behind her children Leonardo Jr.; Monique, and Carlos; and grandchildren Cris and Rafa. (Regina Mae Parungao)