SONA: A big production number

The State of the Nation Address (SONA) is beginning to take on the glitter of showbiz every year, and it seems like substance is no longer looked at with more and more attention being given on the “show.” Even GMA’s speech had the quality of a production number with the Power Point and video clips as visual aids. Ironically, GMA critics like actor-turned-president Joseph Estrada said it was like a showbiz “fairy tale” while GMA supporters are saying it had a lot of substance with solid accomplishments clearly highlighted. But at the end of the day, it’s really what happens after the SONA that’s more important.

Without even having to further comment about the speech itself, it seems like the SONA is becoming more and more like a film festival rather than a formal and serious occasion because of the number of people turning up in designer gowns and outfits. The actress wives of senators and congressmen added to the showbiz atmosphere like Bong Revilla’s wife Lani Mercado in an eye-catching outfit. Jules Ledesma’s wife Assunta de Rossi also showed up in a blue gown and of course Dawn Zulueta, the wife of Congressman Anton Lagdameo, always looks stunning in anything she wears. Presidential candidate Loren Legarda was daring in her black backless dress, prompting Joker Arroyo to describe it as “rapacious.”

I guess this all started when Joseph Estrada, an action star, became the president. Every other actor is perhaps harboring an ambition to go into politics, and it’s getting more apparent that showbiz and politics are almost one and the same. Action king Fernando Poe Jr. almost became president of this country. (May his soul rest in peace.)

But the real big scene stealer was the mayor of a small municipality in Quirino and a leader of the Bugkalot tribe who came in wearing nothing but a long red headband and a bahag (G-string). Everybody was obviously staring at him and his outfit left some people tongue-tied. Some were even wondering how some guy was able to come in his tribal gear but in the end, it was “the” fashion of the day. But for me, the real star of the show was the woman behind the scenes. Everyone who knows something about production has to admit that it was a well-coordinated affair orchestrated by an accomplished individual who refuses to be identified. But she is really one of the best directors in this country. Her experience and talent is unquestionable, having worked with some of the country’s biggest names on television.

If there’s one thing about the SONA, the production was well made with the visuals helping to illustrate the point the president was trying to make in her speech. The director worked day and night to make sure the whole production was virtually seamless, and apparently it worked well and was impressive especially for those who watched it live in the Plenary Hall of Congress.

Of course, GMA played her part to a T – from her well-timed pauses to pave the way for the applause, to the changes in her expression from serious and stern to beatific and radiant. Though it’s nothing new, her “roll call” of ordinary individuals to showcase her administration’s accomplishments was rather effective as it generated a lot of interest, particularly on the boy who rescued his family during the onslaught of Typhoon Frank and of course, the bahag-wearing mayor. No doubt this award-winning director – who is also an image maker and described one time by the late Teddy Benigno as a person who can “make a gargoyle look like a lamb” – knew the effect would be impressive.

But then again, that shouldn’t be so surprising since Filipinos are known for staging spectacular events and producing attention-grabbing shows. Even the Israeli Ambassador, Zvi Vapni, commented to me that he has never seen anything like it and was overwhelmed by the kind of production and glitter that went into the affair. He says this is definitely something that you will never see in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset. He says he’s looking forward to next year’s extravaganza. 

Next year will in fact be the goodbye SONA of GMA (although some people are skeptical and are saying she will extend her term). But I’m pretty sure it will be her “swan song and you can expect it to be an even bigger and more dazzling event. And who knows, we might even see an Aaron Spelling production this time, with a lot of show and more glitter. But as always, the Filipino likes the glamour, so you can be sure the next SONA will probably be the biggest production number ever.

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