MANILA, Philippines — From directing campaign commercials to serving as creative consultant at the presidential inauguration, filmmaker Paul Soriano has been tapped again by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to direct, this time, his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) today.
The STAR caught up with the Thelma and Siargao director late last week as preparations and rehearsals at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City — the venue of the SONA — went into full swing.
“I’m humbled and grateful for the opportunity and the trust the President has given me to execute the SONA for him. That shows that he has the confidence in the work that I do and I will make sure to deliver,” the 40-year-old director-producer said in a phone interview.
Soriano, who has been working closely with official broadcast agency Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM), revealed creating two new camera angles to add to the visuals of the SONA.
“I’d love to leave that (as a surprise) for Monday… As I was talking to RTVM, they were saying, it has never been done before. So, it was quite challenging for them last night to create these two angles because we had to build traps and contraptions. But they agreed and were very supportive of my ideas,” he shared.
Traditional camera angles such as “the profile, the straight to camera and the walking shot” will remain. “We have about two camera operators ready to capture his walk to Batasan,” he added.
Asked about specific marching orders from the President, Soriano said, “I speak from a visual and production standpoint, simple and traditional is really what he tells us… Solemn, straight to the point and not too much going on.
“(But) you know, without him telling me that, I know that’s what he wants. He doesn’t need all the extravagance or over-the-top stuff. This is the SONA, this is not a concert, not an event, this is business, this is work, so we got to be professional… Of course, we’re going to respect all the protocols that need to be done. My job is to capture that and show to the Filipinos around the world what the President has to say.”
Besides his goal of executing a “simple and traditional” SONA, Soriano stressed, “I don’t want to take away from what the President is saying. All my angles and treatments will be giving that respect. The star of the show here is what the President is going to be telling to the Filipino people.”
“That’s why me and the RTVM team and everyone working on the SONA are working hard to make sure (the public) can hear clearly the message, the plans and the direction of the President,” he also said.
With this undertaking, Soriano joins fellow filmmakers enlisted to direct SONAs, particularly Brillante Mendoza and Bb. Joyce Bernal during the administration of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.
The difference or added advantage perhaps is that Soriano has a 15-year professional and personal relationship with Marcos, who happens to be his and wife Toni Gonzaga’s wedding godfather. First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos is also the director’s aunt. The couple were the most high-profile personalities from showbiz to throw in their support from Day 1 of Marcos Jr.’s run for the country’s highest office.
Yesterday, Soriano was expected to rehearse with Pres. Marcos and have access to his speech “so I can plan my shots around it already.” But they’re also preparing for the President to go off script. “I know he will be clear and concise, and straight to the point ang delivery. But we will also be ready for when he speaks from the heart,” he said.
The SONA is expected to start at around 4 p.m. today.
“If there’s something I personally know about the President is that he knows how to talk to the people. He knows how to give a great speech. And I think it’s all because in his heart, (it’s) all the Filipino people,” Soriano said.
“I’d like to encourage everyone to listen to him. Whether you agree or disagree with him, I hope we can all unite as Filipinos on Monday and listen to the instructions of the President, and as a Filipino citizen, (to) take it and do something great for the country. Imagine if all 110 million Filipinos can do something great for the country. Imagine what kind of a country we’ll have.
“It takes everyone. The President can only lead us and guide us, but we have to take action. He’s doing all that he can do and we need to help him and support him. Let’s put politics aside and let’s just focus on making this country great and better.”
Meanwhile, with his involvement in some major events of the new administration, The STAR asked the filmmaker who runs his own production company if he’s open to joining the government.
“I take instructions from the President. If he wants me to join the government and serve, I will be there. Whatever he wants me to do, I’ll be there, I’ll deliver and do my best, that’s basically what I’m here for the President. Him and the First Lady know that, my wife and I, we’re in constant communication naman,” he said.
“His task for me now is to do the SONA, I’m here doing this. He asked my wife, Tin, to sing the National Anthem at the inauguration and she was there.”