Staying the course and keeping the curse
SOME unsolicited advice for awa rd - w i n - ning Brillante Mendoza: First and foremost, I salute you, sir, for bringing honor to the country’s creations that bestowed borderless recognition of Filipino genius in very few souls will grab as a morsel to bite in their lifetime. I know that you meant well by accepting the challenge to direct an event like the State of the Nation Address. But lest we forget, it was an “event coverage” and may take another point of view in the eyes of the television industry.
I know that you wanted to project a story of the President’s way possible but I could be wrong as you are the master of your own craft. Sorry, sir, but it is not “your” version of the story, nor is it “President Digong’s.” It is about the story of a nation that would want to see the report of its Chief Executive after one year. It is a narrative of his performance and pitfalls and his revelation of what he will do in the incoming year. It is about a presentation of a would-be historical page in our nation’s annals.
Having been a television director myself for a good part of my humble lifetime, I have found that directorial assignments require different treatments, much like acting in different roles. Be it a news program, an election coverage, the pageantry of Independence Day, beauty competitions, documentaries, or even awards ceremonies—it takes a meticulous study of the whole structure packaged to impart to the viewers the main message, in this case, the President’s Report Card to the nation, plain and simple. That is why SONAS of other countries did not require the services of geniuses like Spielberg, Coppola, Polanski or Kubrick.
Tentative components of the speeches are usually distributed in advance for our study so that we can weave together and align or stitch other production tools like lights, camera placements and visual perspectives with sound control to give a just and simpli losing the main message. I remember that during my time, I just used three cameras and one backpack in most events. And tried my best to make it look like I had 15.
Pores, extreme close- ups, eye and hand movements or dronelike portrayal from the top of speaker’s body maybe good for Jason Bourne, Consigliere Tom Hagen’s doubtful smirk, or Forrest Gump’s stupid looks but not for a President trying his best to come up with a list of what he did after one year.
Yes, sir, we are grateful and for- tunate to have you at the helm but please bear in mind that the job calls for simple realities and not a world of make-believe.
From a has-been-no-name news and public affairs director who
*** Contrary to critics’ claims that PRRD’s speech was lackluster in substance, I think these PRRD lines hit the mark during SONA 2017:
“The protection of the environment must be made a priority ahead of mining and all other activities that adversely affect one way or another. And this policy is non-negotiable.”
On insurgency:
bully bully especially to the enemies of the state.”
On Kadamay:
“May
Do not commit that mistake. Here and now, I will tell you, including the Congress of the Republic of the Philippines: You do anarchy, I will order the soldiers and the police to shoot. Even if I have to bury thousands of Filipinos.
On CPP/NDF/NPA’s negative view of martial law:
“Do you think that if the IS prevails in this country that you will have a place in their society? You must be awfully stupid, as stupid.
On procurement:
“Itong TRO has been the bane of projects. law bidding
it was regular, or somebody else should not be messing it up… The Congress and
including the judges and justices, should understand that by this time, ‘ lowest bid, ‘ promote graft and corruption
On women’s rights:
“I would like to reiterate my personal and this administration’s commitment to fully implement the Magna Carta of Women to the barangay level.”
On work
“Eat your lunch in office so you can work immediately.”
On public ethic:
“
service:
project
“We also need to put an end to squabbles and bickering within agencies [and] focus fully on the speedy provision of quality public services to our people.”
: “I am directing the MMDA and the LGUs of Metro Manila, as well as the LGUs of