Andanar: Brillante Mendoza's SONA shots were perfect

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar lauded internationally acclaimed filmmaker Brillante Mendoza for directing President Rodrigo Duterte's first State of the Nation Address on Monday.

Andanar noted that the lights inside the Plenary Hall of the House of Representatives were focused on the president during his speech.

"'Yung lighting ngayon kumpara noon so madilim po yung dito sa kung saan nakaupo yung mga Congressman at yung mga bisita pero siya (Duterte) lang talaga yung naka-focus. If you watch it on television, perfect," Andanar said in a chance interview after the SONA.

The Cabinet member said that he was very satisfied with the way Mendoza handled the broadcast of the president's first SONA, which lasted for about one and a half hours.

Director Brillante Mendoza behind the scenes during the State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 25, 2016. Presidential Comm/Released

Andanar revealed that Mendoza wanted to take execute more shots of Duterte which were not allowed by the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

"Marami gustong gawin ang ating direktor Brillante Mendoza kaso nga dahil sa PSG protocol ay hindi po natin pwede gawin at meron din pong mga panuntunan ang mababang kapulungan at hindi din natin pwedeng labagin bilang respeto na rin po sa Lower House," Andanar said.

Many netizens said the camera angles during Duterte's first SONA were unnecessary and weird, particularly the shots taken from below. A few appreciated the different camera angles which showed the president's authority.

Mendoza earlier said that his goal as director was to show the "real Duterte" and to assist the president in building a connection with the audience.

READ: Brillante Mendoza's SONA camera angles break the Internet