Armida Siguion-Reyna, who was born on November 4, 1930, celebrated her "18th" birthday last November 6, at the Tangerine Mediterranean Restaurant in Greenhills, San Juan.
The birthday lady, who was once dubbed the "Dragon Lady of Philippine Cinema," looked every inch the señora with her regal bearing and understated elegance in attire and jewelry. Even her cane was stylish.
Armida Siguion-Reyna is best remembered by her peer generation for her TV program in the '70s, Aawitan Kita that won several awards and crowned her "Reyna ng Kundiman." Aside from her other albums, her songs have been put together in a 2-volume, 24-track album titled Aawitan Kita (2008).
She is also the former chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). As a movie producer she heads Reyna Films, which made several films in the '90s. She has won FAMAS and Urian awards as Best Suporting Actress, topping her achievements with the 2006 FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award.
In past years, Tita Midz (her pet name in showbiz), did her share in fighting for political and artistic rights. When asked about the advocacies she intends to pursue, she replied, "Wala. Wala na...Hindi na ako naghahanap ng bagong advocacy. Yun na rin ang mga ipagpapatuloy ko hanggang mamatay ako. At talagang ako, ginawa ng Panginoong Diyos para sa Aawitan Kita hanggang sa mamatay ako, kaya hindi na ako mag-aambisyon pa ng higit pa sa roon."
She may have become less visible in the entertainment scene, but the movie producer-singer-actress still has the ability to summon the Who's Who in politics and showbiz.
THE GUESTS. In one corner of the room, Diamond Star Maricel Soriano cracked jokes with Mother Lily Monteverde of Regal Films, and the big bosses of T.A.P.E.—Tony Tuviera and Malou Choa-Fagar.
The table beside Maricel's group was where PEP (Phillipine Entertainment Portal) spotted Susan Roces, Gloria Romero, Robert Arevalo and wife Barbara Perez, direk Boots Plata and wife Dolor Guevarra, and talent manager Shirley Kuan.
Armida's son, director Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, shared a table with Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares and husband Neil Llamanzares. It was also the birthday of Direk Carlitos that night but he's used to people remembering November 4 as his mom's birthday.
Actress-writer Bibeth Orteza, Carlitos's wife, sat beside Lorna Tolentino, Ricky Davao, Lucy Torres and Richard Gomez.
Near the entrance, familiar faces, like Richard Reynoso and Bimbo Cerrudo, greeted the arriving guests. The two balladeers worked with Tita Midz's defunct television show.
Tita Midz joined the "V.I.P. group"—former President Joseph Estrada, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and wife Elenita, her brother Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, and her husband Atty. Leonardo Siguion-Reyna.
Latecomers were Senator Jinggoy Estrada, ace directors Joel Lamangan and Mel Chionglo, multi-award winner actress Gina Alajar, and screenwriter Racquel Villacencio.
JAMMING WITH TITA MIDZ. The dinner party turned into a "live" version of Aawitan Kita, the television program which made Armida Siguion-Reyna famous over 30 years ago.
Pilita Corrales, Asia's Queen of Songs, who regularly sings at Tangerine, formally opened the jamming session with hits like "You've Got A Friend," "Sayang," "Tukso, Layuan Mo Ako," among others.
