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SONA surprise: National anthem singer's identity a secret

Philippines | National

SONA surprise: National anthem singer's identity a secret

By Ellson Quismorio

The House plenary. (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

So who will sing the Philippine national anthem during President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA)? It's one "big surprise", according to House Secretary General Reginald Velasco. "Surprise din di ba..malalaman niyo na (It's a surprise...you'll know soon)," Velasco told House reporters in an interview on Wednesday afternoon, July 20. The SONA will take place on Monday, July 24, during a joint session of Congress at the House of Representatives in Batasan Complex, Quezon City. When pressed for details about the mystery performer, Velasco said: Ang tip ko, isang tao lang yung kakanta...Of course kilala (I'll tip you that it's just one person...Of course, the performer is popular)." Velasco refused to reveal the performer's gender. Last year, during Marcos' first SONA, a choir from the Ilocos region performed the Lupang Hinirang at the House plenary. Marcos is expected to deliver his speech at around 4 p.m. On Monday morning, the House members and senators will convene the joint session and formally open the second regular session of the 19th Congress. Velasco said that a choir from Tacloban, Leyte will be tapped to sing the national anthem during the morning session. The session would then be suspended as the lawmakers await Marcos' arrival at Batasan Complex in the afternoon. "The same signing group will serenade the guests after SONA. We will put them in the entrace lobby. There will be some sort of entertainment doon sa center lobby," Velasco said.

Related Tags

State of the Nation Address reginald velasco Lupang Hinirang

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