Bernal to set SONA 2019’s mood to ‘hopeful, good’

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte discusses matters with film director Joyce Bernal on July 22, 2018 as they make preparations for the President’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Malacañan Palace. Joining the President is Sec. Bong Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President. ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Award-winning filmmaker Joyce Bernal is hoping that President Rodrigo Duterte’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) will have a huge difference compared from last year’s, saying that she plans to turn the mood of this year’s speech from “gloomy” to “hopeful.”

“Sana malaki ‘yung difference kasi (I hope there will be a huge difference because) I want it hopeful and good. ‘Yung parang masaya na kasi last year anong nangyari? So sana parang i-set mo ‘yung mood ng lahat ng tao dito na huy wag na kayong mag-away (I want it to be happy because last year, what happened? So I’m hoping to set the mood to tell the people to not fight anymore),” the filmmaker said in an interview on Monday, July 8, as she did an ocular inspection at the House of Representatives Plenary Hall on Monday where Duterte will be delivering his report to the public.

Bernal directed the President’s third SONA in 2018 which was delayed for over an hour due to the sudden change in leadership at the House, with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo taking over the position of Davao del Norte 1st Representative Pantaleon Alvarez as Speaker.

“Last year na-gloomy-han ako sa mood. So parang gusto ko lang na makinig at i-excite ‘yung mga tao (Last year, I found the mood gloomy. So I want to excite the people and make them listen),” Bernal said.

If given the budget, the director said she would also like to have a live performance in the Plenary Hall.

“Medyo bago po sana ‘yung perspective natin (I’m hoping for a new perspective). I want it grand,” she said.

“Syempre gobyerno tayo maliit usually budget niyan. ‘Pag malaki ‘yung pangarap mo, medyo dagdag ng onti ‘yung budget. Pero okay lang kayang gawan ng paraan (Of course it is the government; usually it has a small budget. If you have big plans, you need an additional budget. But it is okay, we can make a way),” she added.

Talking about technicalities, Bernal said about 20 cameras will be installed to shoot the event. Asked whether the Palace has given her any requests in terms of the camera shots, she said, “Wala pa naman. Last year wala rin namang ganon. So perspektibo ko na siguro ‘yon (None so far. There was also no request last year. So I think it will be based on my perspective on) how to present the President and the state of the nation,” she stressed.

Similar to 2018, Bernal will be directing this year’s SONA for free.

“Parang dapat lahat tayo (I think all of us should be) pro bono for this, for the Philippines. Lahat pro bono. Napakaliit ng gagawin ko na tulong sa Presidente. Siya ata ‘yong pinakapagod sa ating lahat dito. Konting-konti lang ‘tong tulong na ‘to (All of it should be pro bono. I’m only doing a small help for the President.

Perhaps he is the one who is the most exhausted among all of us here. This is just a very small help),” she said.

The veteran filmmaker, known for films like “Gandarrapiddo! The Revenger Squad,” “The Super Parental Guardians,” and “Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo?” succeeded another award-winning director, Brillante Mendoza, who directed the Chief Executive’s first two SONAs.

The President is set to deliver his fourth SONA on July 22.