Joyce Bernal bats for ‘hopeful’ SONA this year

Following what she described as a "gloomy" State of the Nation Address (SONA) last year, filmmaker Joyce Bernal is eyeing for a "hopeful" presentation of President Rodrigo Duterte's annual report to the Filipino people this July 22.

Bernal, who has been tapped for the second time to direct the SONA, paid a visit at the House of Representatives on Monday to inspect the Plenary Hall where the President is set to deliver his speech and other surrounding areas.

Bernal gets briefing from the House Secretary General on the lighting and other fixtures inside the Plenary Hall. pic.twitter.com/MeObNYL0lO

— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) July 8, 2019

In an interview with reporters, Bernal said she wants this year's broadcast of the SONA to be largely different from last year.

"I want it hopeful and good, yung parang masaya na kasi, 'Anong nangyari?' I-set mo yung mood ng lahat ng tao dito, 'Huy, 'wag na kayong mag-away,'" she said.

Last year, Duterte's SONA was overshadowed by the sudden leadership change at the House, when former Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was elected to her position replacing Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez.

Now, Bernal is aiming for a lively conduct of the SONA, from the atmosphere of the event to the decorations in the Plenary Hall.

"We want it grand. Sana nga may magandang music na live. Pangarap lang ito pero kapag may budget at may nanlibre, puwede sana," she said.

"We want something na weave ng [indigenous people] natin from Mindanao sana or from Mountain Province. Anything na Filipino na weave, kung ano man na gawa natin," she added.

To capture the best shots during the event, Bernal said they would be installing around 20 cameras inside the Plenary Hall.

"More or less meron lang kaming iiwasan kasi maraming pagbabago yung Plenary Hall. Kailangan naming mag-adjust sa changes na nangyari," she said.

Bernal admitted that she has yet to talk to the President regarding the SONA, though she is coordinating with officials from Radio Television Malacañang and Congress.

She also said that she cannot direct the President if ever he goes off speech, just like what he usually does.

"Kung ano yung pacing na gusto niya, kung ano yung rhythm, kung paano niya gustong sabihin lahat sa mamamayan, susundan natin," Bernal said.

"Hindi ko siya kayang i-direct kasi siya yung President. Sasabihin ko lang siya ng mga small things, gaya ng 'Sir, dahan-dahan sa English kasi kahit ako, hindi ako maka-cope,'" she added.

Like last year, Bernal said she is directing the SONA "pro bono" or for free.

"Parang dapat lahat tayo pro bono for the Philippines. Napakaliit ng gagawin ko na tulong sa Presidente. Siya yata yung pinakapagod sa ating lahat dito. Konting-konti lang ang tulong na ito," she said.

"Basta I think kinuha ka to support. So lahat ng support na kaya, kahit hindi kaya gawin na lang," she added.  — RSJ, GMA News