Joyce Bernal tapped to direct Duterte’s third SONA

MANILA, Philippines— Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar on Thursday confirmed that film and television director Joyce Bernal will direct the third State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier refused to confirm that Bernal would replace Brillante Mendoza as the SONA's director, saying he has not seen any document on the matter.

Roque, however, said he had also heard that Bernal would take part in the SONA as director.

“You know the policy of this office. I need a document, but I've heard the same,” Roque said in a press briefing.

“I just can't confirm because I don't have the contract yet,” he added.

It will be Bernal’s first time to direct the SONA, where the president addresses Congress as it convenes its regular session. She is known for directing comedy, romance and drama films.

Among Bernal's box office-hit films are “Gandarrapiddo! The Revenger Squad,” “Last Night,” “The Super Parental Guardians,” “Everything About Her,” and “Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme,” among others.

Bernal bagged the Best Director award in the 2013 Metro Manila Film Festival for her action film, "10,000 Hours".

The past two Duterte SONAs were directed by Cannes-winning director Mendoza. The camera angles that he used for an official government event earned Mendoza mixed reactions from the public.

READ: Brillante Mendoza's SONA camera angles break the Internet | Netizens poke fun at Brillante’s 'zoomed in' SONA angles

Roque declined to comment on why a different director will handle this years SONA, saying nothing is finalized yet.

The president's third SONA will take place on July 23.