Communications Secretary Martin Andanar assured Filipinos that President Duterte's upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) will make an impact in their hearts and minds, saying the event will be a reflection of Duterte's brand of leadership.
Andanar made the statement days ahead of the President's sixth and final SONA on Monday, July 26.
In a statement, Andanar said the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) was working non-stop to ensure that Duterte's last SONA will leave a mark.
"We at the PCOO have been working non-stop in our preparations to make this SONA modest, yet memorable and significant to the Filipino people - something that reflects President Duterte as a leader," he said Friday, July 23.
"With our last year in the Duterte administration, we will ensure that this year’s SONA will be etched in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people that we've worked hard to serve," he added.
SONA Coverage
According to Andanar, the SONA will be complemented by PTV's documentary "Ang Pangulo," which will be shown before the President's speech.
The SONA coverage will be augmented by a full media coverage by the Integrated News Team of the PCOO, PTV, Philippine News Agency (PNA), Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM), and all of the government's media arm.
Inside the Batasan
Andanar said approximately 400 guests will physically attend the SONA. They will be required to present negative coronavirus (COVID-19) test results before being allowed at the Batasang Pambansa's Batasan Hall.
To accommodate a wider audience composed of some Cabinet officials and diplomats, Andanar said the PCOO has set up a virtual live screening of the SONA at the Malacañang Palace.
He said design inspirations from Mindanao will be incorporated in delivering and focusing on the Duterte administration's heirloom legacies.
This year's SONA will not be directed by a famous movie director as RTVM director Danny Abad was tapped to direct this year's event.
PTV General Manager Kat de Castro, who co-chaired this year's SONA Committee with Andanar, said Malacañang gave them a free hand on choosing the director.
"We did ask Malacañang if they had any preference but they let us have a free hand on choosing who will direct the SONA," she said in a text message to reporters.
"RTVM’s Demic Pabalan volunteered one of their own, Director Danny Abad, who has directed SONAs of past presidents," she added.
Meanwhile, the SONA Committee was set to play pre-recorded favorite songs of President Duterte rendered by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra throughout the SONA. These include "Ang Pagbabago," "What a Wonderful World," "Dust in the Wind," and "McArthur Park,” among others, throughout the SONA.
The Philippine National Anthem will be sung by singer Morissette Amon.
"It was the House Of Representatives who invited Morissette Amon to sing the National Anthem," De Castro said.