Actress Armida Siguion-Reyna dies at 88

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Actress and singer Armida Siguion-Reyna died on Monday, February 11, at the age of 88 years old, her sister Irma Potenciano confirmed to ABS-CBN.

Irma said her sister died of cancer Monday afternoon at the Makati Medical Center.

Although she had appeared in many movies and TV shows, Armida was known to many for her show Aawitan Kita.

Armida’s family is also in the entertainment industry. Son Carlos Siguion-Reyna is a known director while her grandchildren, Cris Villonco and Rafa Siguion-Reyna are active in theater and television. 

In a statement Monday night, Armida’s brother, former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, expressed grief over her passing, and asked Filipinos not to forget her and her contribution to the music industry. 

“Sa kabila nito, masaya na rin ako na makakapagpahinga siya,” Enrile said, recalling that he had often visited Arminda when she was sick. (Despite all of this, I’m happy that she can now have rest.)

“Malaki ang kanyang naging kontribusyon sa larangan ng showbiz at isinulong niya ang wika natin sa kanyang mga kanta. Ipinagmamalaki ko na naging tanyag siya,” the brother said. “Ang hinihingi ko lang sa mga Pilipino – lalo na sa kabataan – ay na ‘wag na ‘wag ninyo siyang kalimutan.”

(She contributed immensely to the entertainment industry, and she championed the use of our own language in her songs. I’m so proud that she became famous. My only request of Filipinos, especially the youth, is to never ever forget her.) – Rappler.com