MANILA — No prominent directors or A-list celebrities have been tapped for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth and penultimate State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, Malacañang announced Monday.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the administration wants to keep this year’s event simple but dignified. She explained that while the House of Representatives hosts the SONA, the executive branch, through the Office of the President, is aligned with the call to keep the occasion a simple one.
Marcos will once again deliver his address before Congress on Monday, July 27. In previous years, his SONA speeches have made headlines for major announcements, including a ban on POGOs and his role as a “whistleblower” on the flood control scam.
According to Castro, this year’s event will be kept simple, without celebrity directors or big-name performers involved. She reiterated that the goal is to carry out the national event in a manner that is simple yet dignified.
The Palace also declined to reveal details on who will sing the national anthem during the address. Castro said a performer has already been chosen and that she is aware of who it is, but said she would first need permission before disclosing the name, suggesting the announcement might be withheld to preserve an element of surprise.
