Joyce Bernal says she’ll direct Duterte’s SONA for free

Romantic-comedy film director Joyce Bernal on Wednesday said she will be directing President Rodrigo Duterte's third State of the Nation Address (SONA) for free.

Bernal, who has been tapped to direct the President's SONA this July 23, said there is no contract between her and the government for her services.

"Wala naman po, hindi naman po kailangan ng kontrata. Unless, kailanganin ng gobyerno I don't think kailangan ng kontrata," the director told reporters on the sidelines of a pre-SONA forum in Pasay City.

"For free po... Presidente natin 'yan e, and para din to sa mga tao, para din sa mga kababayan natin, para sa mga kapwa ko Pinoy, para sa mundo na gustong malaman kung paano tayo," she said.

"Kailangan pa ba magpabayad dun? Hindi ako magpapabayad."

Bernal succeeded award-winning indie filmmaker Brillante Mendoza in directing the SONA after the latter took charge for two consecutive years.

She said she is ready for criticisms she might get after the President's SONA.

"Ready po ako don. Grabe naman ang mga netizen, kayo kaya mag direk," she said in jest.

'Brighter' SONA

The director said she wanted Duterte's SONA to be brighter to make a feeling that the audience is part of the promised change.

"Gusto ko, 'yung mga tao maramdaman nila 'yung mensahe ng presidente, maintindihan nila. Maramdaman nila na kasama sila sa pagbabago," Bernal said.

"Gusto ko 'yung message ng pagbabago hindi pwedeng sa Presidente lang, para sa ating lahat 'yon at kasama tayo sa pagbabago," she added.

Bernal said she is requesting the Presidential Communications and Operations Office (PCOO) to provide her with more lighting.

"We are trying to negotiate na kung pwede magdagdag kami ng ilaw kasi medyo gloomy ang ilaw ng Congress," the director said.

"Nag-camera rehearsal kami using film cameras and film lens para hindi masyadong harsh, walang distortions pagdating sa TV," she added.

"So magaan silang makikinig, magaan 'yung pakiramdam nila. Maagan sana yung makikita nila, maaliwalas sana 'yung makikita nila," she said.

Bernal also called on the public to let the President finish his SONA first before making criticisms.

"Sana maging open tayo, be open. Wala munang bashing and criticism. Hayaan natin matapos ang SONA, makinig muna," she said. — MDM, GMA News