Palace hails life of 'principled citizen' Armida Siguion-Reyna

Malacañang on Tuesday extended its condolences to the family and friends of veteran actress and former Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chairperson Armida Siguion-Reyna.

Siguion-Reyna, a sister of former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, on Monday succumbed to cancer at the age of 88.

"The entertainment world has lost one of its pillars and the Palace expresses its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the former MTRCB chairperson Armida Siguion-Reyna," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said at a news conference.

"The Philippines, particularly the music, television and film industries had been immense in terms of the contribution of the late Armida Siguion-Reyna."

Panelo hailed Siguion-Reyna's promotion of the traditional Filipino love song, kundiman, through her program “Aawitan Kita” that she hosted and produced on television for more than 30 years.

He also said Siguion-Reyna had an "independent mind" and was a "principled citizen."

"[S]he 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," Panelo said.

"Her voice whether singing kundimans or advocating free expression will be missed by many of us so we pray for the eternal repose of her soul and may perpetual light shine upon her." — LA, GMA News