Celebrities, Other Key Personalities: Who Attended SONA 2024?
More than 2,000 guests, including members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, came to witness President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.'s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday (July 22) at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. This year's SONA is said to have had the highest attendance in the country's history, as cited by the Philippine News Agency.
The Philippines' second top official, Vice President Sara Duterte, however, was a no-show at the SONA. Her office also said she had no intention of watching Marcos' public address, even virtually. Duterte earlier declared she would not attend the SONA in person, “appointing” herself as the “designated survivor.” This came after she stepped down as concurrent secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd)—seemingly putting an end to the UniTeam alliance.
Earlier, former vice presidents Leni Robredo, Jejomar Binay, and Noli de Castro also declined to attend this year's SONA.
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Resigned senator Sonny Angara, who took over as secretary of the Department of Education from Duterte last July 18, was among those who attended the SONA. He made his debut in his new position on the red carpet, together with his wife and ABS-CBN executive Tootsy Angara.
Aside from politicians, celebrities and other prominent personalities graced the president's third SONA. Many of them are affiliated with officials and lawmakers, including the following:
Actress and model Heart Evangelista came with her husband, Senate President Chiz Escudero. This marks Escudero's first SONA at the helm of the upper chamber. He replaced then senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri in May.
Celebrity-turned-politician couple Senator Bong Revilla and Cavite 2nd District Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla
Senator Win Gatchalian with girlfriend and actress Bianca Manalo
Cavite 1st District Rep. Jolo Revilla with wife and Binibing Pilipinas 2016 1st Runner-Up Angelica Alita-Revilla
Actress Karla Estrada
Celebrity-turned-politician couple Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez and Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, as well as Camarines Sur 5th District Rep. Miguel Luis Villafuerte and his wife and Miss Universe Philippines 2017 Rachel Peters-Villafuerte, were also spotted at the SONA, among others.
Read the full transcript of President Marcos' third SONA here.
