Joyce Bernal will direct SONA for free

MANILA, Philippines — Film and television director Joyce Bernal said she would be directing the third State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte free of charge.

“Tinawag po ako e bilang mamamayan so, ok po. At saka presidente natin siya and para din po sa mga tao ‘to, sa mga kababayan natin, para sa kapwa ko Pinoy (I was called as a citizen, so okay. And besides he’s our president. This is for the people, for our fellow Filipinos.),” Bernal said in Filipino in a recorded interview.

“Kailangan ba magpabayad doon? Hindi ako magpapabayad doon (Do I need to be paid for it? I won’t ask for payment.),” she added.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar earlier confirmed that Bernal was tapped to direct the third SONA of Duterte.

READ: Joyce Bernal tapped to direct Duterte’s third SONA

Bernal would replace Brillante Mendoza as the SONA's director. Mendoza also previously directed the SONA for free.

Bernal is known for directing comedy, romance and drama films and it would be her first time to direct a SONA.

Bernal's box office-hit films include “Gandarrapiddo! The Revenger Squad,” “Last Night,” “The Super Parental Guardians,” “Everything About Her,” and “Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme,” among others.

The director earlier visited the House of Representatives where the third SONA would be staged.

Duterte is set to address the Congress as it convenes its regular session on Monday, July 23.

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