MANILA, Philippines – Everyone tuned in to President Rodrigo Duterte's first State of the Nation Address and tweeted their thoughts using #SONA2016. As expected, the commentary on Twitter was just as engaging as the main event.
Even before the program started, people were already tweeting their anticipation. The general mood online was optimistic as Duterte's supporters expressed their excitement to hear the President speak.
According to a report from Creative Marketing Technology Services company AFDigital, tweets started peaked around 4PM.
Students on every school in the country should be made viewers of #SONA2016. The youth shouldn't be kept blind upon the country's matters.
— Jon (@stryfaar) July 25, 2016
#SONA2016 can be State of the Nation Address 2016 but it can also be SO anuNA 2016
— Lissa Salapantan (@FollowTheLissa) July 25, 2016
I'm so excited for Digong's SONA #SONA2016
— Jose Luis Legarda (@jll525) July 25, 2016
May announcement mamaya ang Pangulo na ikalalaglag natin sa upuan. -Sec. Andanar
— Miss Minchin (@ItsMissMinchin) July 25, 2016
Pwes hihiga ako!#SONA2016
As guests started to arrive at the Batasang Pambansa, one stood out: recently-released former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
She's back! pic.twitter.com/4BZLTXswhH
— #Mykapalaran (@mykapalaran) July 25, 2016
Nag-"Hi" ka kay Crush pero di ka pinansin. #SONA2016pic.twitter.com/ZUV0UkX1xi
— Cassiopeia Wurtzbach (@OhEmGIL) July 25, 2016
"Those who betrayed the people's trust shall not go unpunished."
— Benedict Waldorf (@benedictopinion) July 25, 2016
So why is PGMA in #SONA2016?
With the arrival of guests came the fashion police, checking out the more understated outfits this year. But even before attendees hit the SONA red carpet, some already zeroed in on the outfit of one lawmaker – Senator Nancy Binay.
For some, Binay didn't get the "simple attire" memo.
Ang taray ni Nancy may baong leche flan! pangdesert daw niya mamayang #SONA2016pic.twitter.com/zQtMJNQ4K7
— Miriam Santiago (@MiriamLines) July 25, 2016
When you're in the senate but dessert is life #SONA2016pic.twitter.com/RXKILcjlA7
— Gerald Santos (@OhGerald) July 25, 2016
Sen. Nancy Binay broke the dress code & switched to a more corporate wear. From this 2 that real quick lol #SONA2016pic.twitter.com/GpWLCcgnBn
— kat doguiles (@katdoguiles) July 25, 2016
Congratulations Senator Nancy! You're still in the running towards becoming... i don't know.
— Professional Heckler (@HecklerForever) July 25, 2016
/via Manila Bulletin pic.twitter.com/g0jMf7QqPH
As for those outside the halls of Congress – Pokemon Go references were on the loose. Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon Cards: SONA Edition. | via @ArianneMerakipic.twitter.com/QVCJ7a6Vef
— The GUIDON (@TheGUIDON) July 25, 2016
Gotta Catch Em' All.#SONA2016#SONA2016saDZUPpic.twitter.com/oej8Ehejnv
— DZUP 1602 (@dzup1602) July 25, 2016
Pokemon Go being relevant hahaha #SONA2016#SONA2016saDZUPhttps://t.co/TwQsPOPZqF
— Michiko Palaran (@miapalaran) July 25, 2016
When it was finally showtime, the President's speech opened strong with a not-so-subtle swipe at his predecessor Benigno Aquino III, who – as everyone knows – is a little too fond of digging up the past.
Finallyyy! No more listening to a leader holding a grudge to his predecessor & blaming the past administration.#SONA2016#SONADu30
— Jerelle F. Vender (@jerellechan) July 25, 2016
"I will not waste precious time dwelling on the sins of the past..." #SONA2016
— Ted Pylon (@TedPylon) July 25, 2016
Tinamaan si P-Noy nito sigurado.
MOVE ON NA DAW BES. #SONA2016pic.twitter.com/eG4ZAE8T3s
— hugotsnap. (@HugotSnap) July 25, 2016
And just in case you missed this warning during the SONA, we repeat: Do not do drugs!
"I repeat my warning to all, DO NOT DO DRUGS!" #DuterteSONA
— Feelings(@Friendstagram) July 25, 2016
: "I repeat I repeat I repeat... Homaygahd. My pamily..." #SONA2016
— SATAN PUNONGBAYAN (@Watdahel_Marcel) July 25, 2016
"Gagraduate ka na ba?"
— Lestegrrr (@cluelesster) July 25, 2016
"I repeat. I repeat my repeat. I repeat...
...another subject again, Ma." #SONA2016
My favorite quote from Duterte's speech today: "I repeat, I repeat my repeat, I repeat to all"
— BESHIE MENDIOLA(@MillennialOfMNL) July 25, 2016
The President got points for calling for the full implementation of the reproductive health law – something which wouldn't sit well with some senators, as social media users pointed out.
We all know Tito Sotto and Manny Pacquiao fell off of their seats when they heard DU/30 is pro-RH Law.
— Melisandro (@Melisandro7) July 25, 2016
I would literally sell my kidneys right now to see Sotto & Pacquiao response to Duterte saying RH Law must be put into full force #SONA2016
— K L M H (@kateastrophic) July 25, 2016
Duterte: Implementation of RH Law must be put into full force
— FPH | #BLM (@feministph) July 25, 2016
Pacquiao: pic.twitter.com/tgWIpMRwSh
Duterte: Implementation of Reproductive Health law must be put into full force.
— Dr.Jose P. Rizal (@tweetnirizal) July 25, 2016
cc: Tito Sotto and Loren Legarda.
#DuterteSONA
On the production front, director Brillante Mendoza's creative camerawork did not go unnoticed. He earlier said he wanted to capture the true Duterte. Did he?
: Parang wala namang touch of Brillante Mendoza? Asan yung eskinita? #SONA2016
— SATAN PUNONGBAYAN (@Watdahel_Marcel) July 25, 2016
Kaloka naman yung camera sa ilalim parang balak pang silipin butas ng ilong. Doon tayo sa Mocha Uson Blog Live coverage. Charot! #SONA2016
— Ethel Booba (@IamEthylGabison) July 25, 2016
"Yung kamay! Kunan mo yung kamay!"
— SENYORA (@Senyora) July 25, 2016
Nastress siguro si Brillante Mendoza. #SONA2016pic.twitter.com/Ishs1bwAXe
Real Talk : Nakakahilo ang panning at zooming ng camera ni Brillante Mendoza#SONA2016#DU30UnangSONA
— Bakit GANERN? (@BakitGanern) July 25, 2016
Kasi si Brilliante Mendoza nagdi-direct ng #SONA2016, lalabas mamaya si Jaclyn Jose sa ending para kumain ng fishball.
— Malaysia Soberano (@Cinephilliacy) July 25, 2016
Also, as it became evident that the promised 38-minute speech wasn't going to happen because the President had a tendency to go off-script, concerns grew for the poor soul who would have to transcribe the entire thing.
The final length? One hour, 40 minutes. #PrayForTheTranscriptionist
{source}
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="tl" dir="ltr">a moment of silence para sa magtra-transcribe nung speech ni President Duterte</p>— BESHIE MENDIOLA (@MillennialOfMNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/MillennialOfMNL/status/757510579644837888">July 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Those who will transcribe Duterte's speech are the real heroes here</p>— Jerome Infante (@jomskywalker) <a href="https://twitter.com/jomskywalker/status/757498563781730304">July 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
{/source}
"Makinig kayo. Sige tawa jan."
— EyEy (@mungkawkaw) July 25, 2016
Hahaha! Iba ka talaga! #SONA2016#Du30SONA2016
Who needs human props & audio visual presentations when the President has pasabog anecdotes #SONA2016
— Nicole Curato (@NicoleCurato) July 25, 2016
This #SONA2016 is brought to you by San Mig Light. Mahaba-habang usapan!
— Malaysia Soberano (@Cinephilliacy) July 25, 2016
sa sobrang tagal ng #SONA2016 nag-get-to-know na yung mga nasa chatbox sa livestream pic.twitter.com/2nYQWa4Mbd
— Josef (@humahagulgol) July 25, 2016
Overall, the sentiment online during the speech was mostly neutral at 95% followed by positive at 4.3%, according to a report by AFDigital.
What did you think of Duterte's first SONA? Any hits and misses? Tweet us using #SONA2016! – Rappler.com