Rom-com director Joyce Bernal to direct Duterte’s SONA for 2nd time

Romantic comedy film director Joyce Bernal is set to once again direct President Rodrigo Duterte's State of the Nation Address on July 22.

This was confirmed by officials of the Radio Television Malacañang in a coordination meeting with members of the media for Duterte's fourth SONA on Wednesday.

This would be the second time that Bernal would be directing the President's SONA after she was also tapped for the same function last year.

Bernal succeeded award-winning filmmaker Brillante Mendoza in directing the SONA after the latter took charge for two consecutive years, in 2016 and 2017.

Last year, Bernal said she aimed a "patriotic" feel in Duterte's third SONA, adding that she wanted to have a "feel" of how the President would speak to the nation.

"Yung pakiramdam na yun, kung paano magsasalita sa nation as mayor, as a father and as the president of the Philippines. Gusto nilang maramdaman yun," she said.

"Gusto ko sana ng magandang sequencing ng shots niya na in three shots makukuha niyo na paano yung pagmamahal niya sa Pilipinas," she added.

Bernal is known for directing blockbuster Filipino comedy films, most of them were screened at the annual Metro Manila Film Festival. — MDM, GMA News