President Rodrigo Duterte’s 5th State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 27, garnered mixed reactions from tens of thousands of Filipinos, including celebrities. The speech which lasted for nearly two hours, immediately became a trending topic on Twitter Philippines.
Here are some celebrities who openly shared their thoughts and reactions to Duterte’s 5th SONA.
Singer Leah Navarro, known as a long-time critic of Duterte, tweeted: “Why bother commenting or RT’ing any of Duterte’s SONA declarations? We have better things to do than listen to drivel.”
Why bother commenting or RT’ing any of Duterte’s SONA declarations? We have better things to do than listen to drivel.#SONA2020 #SONAgKAISA
— Leah Navarro (@leahnavarro) July 27, 2020
Actress Agot Isidro, a staunch critic of the present administration, tweeted: “Ang SONA na walang sustansya. ktnxbye.”
ang SONA na walang sustansya.
ktnxbye
— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) July 27, 2020
Host and sportscaster Cesca Litton-Kalaw asked about the plans to contain COVID-19 in the country. Using a Batman GIF, she said: “Assuming that the vaccine won’t be available anytime soon, is there an actual plan until it’s produced?”
Assuming that the vaccine won’t be available anytime soon, is there an actual plan until it’s produced?
Or…? pic.twitter.com/m0rygAKco7
— Cesca Litton-Kalaw (@CheckLit) July 27, 2020
TV host Bianca Gonzalez-Intal initially shared a screenshot of a news headline showing Duterte’s threat to shut down telecommunication companies Globe and Smart.
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) July 27, 2020
In another post, Bianca wrote: “It seems there is a lot of work cut out for Congress and Senate in the coming months with these bills mentioned by PRRD. Honestly praying for and cheering for our lawmakers kasi hindi biro yung dami ng paperwork na yan, at pagbalanse ng best version ng bill na fair to all.”
https://twitter.com/iamsuperbianca/status/1287679841588764673?s=20
Director Sam Lee also tweeted: “If you thought T Swift was petty wait till you meet Du5*7+5-(-20)/2.”
If you thought T Swift was petty wait til you meet Du5*7+5-(-20)/2
— romy mars ravelo (@givemesam) July 27, 2020
Actress Janine Gutierrez reacted to Duterte’s warning against the telecommunication companies.
“I might as well close all of you” ………..
— nini (@janinegutierrez) July 27, 2020
Nadamay pa si Jesus
— nini (@janinegutierrez) July 27, 2020
In an Instagram post, Nadine Lustre showed her being united with fellow Filipinos by saying: “Nakikiisa sa bayan na lumalaban.”
Frankie Pangilinan, daughter of Senator Kiko Pangilinan and Sharon Cuneta, tweeted her “reactions” while watching the SONA.
POV: we’re watching #SONA2020 together pic.twitter.com/OVR91jLl7P
— kakie (@kakiep83) July 27, 2020
#SONA2020 pic.twitter.com/QdqneIv8XQ
— kakie (@kakiep83) July 27, 2020
Artist and activist Isa Barte has said, “All I can hear while Duterte praises himself are the calls and messages of communities that have reached out asking for food and assistance during quarantine because they didn’t know how else to get by, asking for help to not starve.”
https://twitter.com/issabarter/status/1287666508043345920?s=20
Dr. Gia Sison also expressed her frustration over the worsening crisis and the government’s unclear plans to solve this.
“Another major disaster eh hindi pa tapos ang current disaster. Nakakapagod na talaga. Ended with more anger and questions. At talagang target pumatay eh. Numbers are rising wala pa din plano!”
Another major disaster eh hindi pa tapos ang current disaster. Nakakapagod na talaga. Ended with more anger and questions. At talagang target pumatay eh. Numbers are rising wala pa din plano! #SONA2020
— Dr. Gia Sison (@giasison) July 27, 2020
TikTok comedian Macoy Dubs downgraded Duterte’s speech by saying, “Uy ang napaka-petty ng SONA na ‘to. Para tayong High School student council na nagpaparinig sa kalaban sa Miting de Avance. JUSME haha!”
https://twitter.com/macoydubs1/status/1287681096025378816?s=20
https://twitter.com/macoydubs1/status/1287680042097500160?s=20
Ben & Ben’s Miguel Benjamin shared a lengthy reaction to the SONA.
Please take time to read this, and also to reply to this tweet if you can. Stay safe! pic.twitter.com/vTtedLVOXp
— Miguel Benjamin (@miguelbenjamin_) July 27, 2020
Photographer and blogger Kerwin King summed up the main points in the SONA: “Personal issues, egocentrism, attacks, lies and more lies. That’s just it. #SONA2020.”
Personal issues, egocentrism, attacks, lies and more lies. That’s just it. #SONA2020
— Kerwin King (@imkerwinking) July 27, 2020
Meanwhile, actress Gabby Padilla directed her message to Duterte. “Alam naman namin na hindi ikaw yung sumusulat ng mga speech mo pero…practice naman po tayo ng self-awareness kahit minsan ano.”
Alam naman namin na hindi ikaw yung sumusulat ng mga speech mo pero…practice naman po tayo ng self-awareness kahit minsan ano. https://t.co/URNtwsOeIC
— Gabby (@GabbyGPadilla) July 27, 2020
Jennylyn Mercado also questioned about the government’s plans for the COVID-19 crisis: “Pero ano po ang plano?”
Sige po.
Pero ano po ang plano? https://t.co/vbDwKKNrfG
— jennylyn mercado (@MercadoJen) July 27, 2020
Journalist and radio broadcaster Karen Davila disapproved of Duterte calling out of certain persons and companies during the speech.
Karen said, “No senator or private company deserves to be mentioned at the opening of the President’s SONA. This is about the state of the country, where we are, where we are going, not about personal vendettas or feelings. People are hungry and jobless. People are looking for inspiration.”
No senator or private company deserves to be mentioned at the opening of the President’s SONA. This is about the state of the country, where we are, where we are going, not about personal vendettas or feelings. People are hungry and jobless. People are looking for inspiration
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) July 27, 2020
Another broadcaster Ces Drilon tweeted, “Straight from the horse’s mouth. Justifying the closure of ABS-CBN by demonizing the Lopezes.”
Straight from the horse’s mouth. Justifying the closure of ABS-CBN by demonizing the Lopezes. https://t.co/wnMfOBzpNS
— Ces Oreña-Drilon (@cesdrilon) July 27, 2020
ABS-CBN News writer Karl Cedrick Basco was displeased by Duterte’s rants implying that he should instead focus on the COVID-19 crisis.
“The President started his 5th SONA, amid the increasing number of #COVID19 cases in the Philippines, with a rant against Drilon and Lopez family of ABS-CBN.”
The President started his 5th SONA, amid the increasing number of #COVID19 cases in the Philippines, with a rant against Drilon and Lopez family of ABS-CBN. #SONA2020
— Karl Cedrick Basco (@cedrickkbasco) July 27, 2020
