Bb. Joyce directing 3rd SONA pro bono

Like Brillante “Dante” Mendoza who directed the first two SONA (State of The Nation Address) of Pres. DU30, Bb. Joyce Bernal is directing the 3rd SONA also for free.

“Yes,” confirmed Sec. Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), to Funfare, “she’s doing it pro bono.”

But Dante was mum when asked how he felt about Joyce replacing him as director upon the recommendation of Robin Padilla, Joyce’s bosom buddy who is close to the President.

“I have no comment,” Dante texted back. “I did the SONA for free and for our country.”

Although both acclaimed for their work, the two directors excel in different genres ­­— Dante is into socially-relevant subjects (like the drug menace and police corruption in Ma’Rosa, the film that won for Jaclyn Jose the country’s first Best Actress honor at the Cannes Filmfest; and AMO, the TV series now streaming on Netflix) and Joyce is well-loved for her romantic-comedy sizzlers (among them a multi-million Vice Ganda starrer).

Director Bb. Joyce Bernal will project Pres. DU30 as ‘Father of the Nation’ in the President’s 3rd SONA on Monday, July 23. ‘Gusto kong maramdaman ng tao na kasama sila sa pagbabago,’ says Joyce.

In an ambush interview (not with The STAR), Joyce said that her approach will be “brighter and lighter” for those who will watch the SONA at home on Monday, July 23, thus she required the Plenary Hall of the Batasang Pambansa to be well lighted so she requested the PCOO for more lighting, after doing an ocular inspection. The approach contrasts with that of Dante who created a more “dramatic” effect, showing up close the President’s gestures and facial expressions.

“I want the President to be projected as the nation’s father,” Joyce added in that ambush interview. “I want the people to feel the President’s message. Gusto kong maramdaman nila na kasama sila sa pagbabago.”

Andanar described Joyce as “very much hands-on.”

“She has been planning the entire technical production of the SONA. She will be bringing in her own equipment to augment that of the RTVM. Expect new camera angles and lighting.”

Asked if Joyce has been “studying” the President closely (the better to project his “inner self”), Andanar said, “I don’t know if they have (met).”

Let’s wait and see how Joyce will do that during the SONA said to last no longer than 35 minutes.

Incidentally, the GMA News will give viewers updates starting from Unang Hirit’s Unang Balita in the morning. In the afternoon, Pia Arcangel anchors SONA 2018: The GMA News Special Coverage as Pres. DU30 addresses the entire nation to report on his administration’s accomplishments for the last 12 months. Later in the evening, highlights of the President’s speech will be aired on GMA 7’s primetime newscast 24 Oras and late-night newscast Saksi, as well as GMA News TV’s flagship newscast State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.

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Janine born to be a star, indeed!

Social media sensation Janine Teñoso, a Viva contract artist, loves all kinds of songs including OPM (among them those of Ogie Alcasid, with Janine in photo)

The social media statistics bare impressive:

• Facebook (@janinekrisTeñoso) followers: 64,693;

• Instagram (_janinekris) followers: 10.1K; and

• Monthly listeners on Spotify: 923,171.

Meet Janine Teñoso, 17, the newest social media sensation who is a Viva talent. Besides bringing life to the soundtrack of Sid & Aya, the Viva hit movie starring Dingdong Dantes and Anne Curtis, Janine also holds the honor being the voice behind the Top 3 songs on Spotify: 1. Di Na Muli, 5,402,517 streams; 241 (original soundtrack of 100 Tula Para Kay Stella, another Viva hit), 3,461,048 streams; and Don’t Know What To Do, Don’t Know What To Say, 1,221,376 streams.

Discovered by Viva in Born To Be a Star talent search, Janine described herself as “shy at first, but when you get to know me, I’m funny and bubbly.” She traced her passion for music to her involvement in the church. Singers that she looked up to include American Idol winner Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber and Sarah Geronimo.

“She’s good at everything ­— sing, dance and act, she can do everything!” she gushed about Sarah. “I also compose my own songs. I am inspired by my experiences and the day-to-day revelations.”

Her debut single, titled Fall, is a lively ballad that almost verges on pop-rock, starting out slow but eventually rises to a crescendo. “I actually got the inspiration to write this song from my friend,” said Janine, dubbed as “a diva in the making,” who is just as impressive on her second single, Can Love Find A Way.

Janine has rapidly risen to fame, doing one hit single after the next. She became a favorite in reviving classic hits from iconic OPM idols (among them Ogie Alcasid), with her latest, Di Na Muli, garnering more than five million views and going viral not only locally but internationally.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)