Her Excellency's State of the Nation Address (Part1)

It was the most awaited speech in the country every year. The two giant networks and almost every television station covered the event. Even before the clock strikes at 12nn, correspondents from different stations were already at the Batasang Pambansa to wait for the highest officer of the country. Finally, on the 24th of July, at past 4pm, her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave her State of the Nation Address (SONA).

She opened her speech by first congratulating the new Senate Leader Manuel Villar and acknowledging Minority Leader Jose De Venecia. Then, she updated the nation on the government’s effort of being able to send over 200 OFWs home. After which, she added that this time, she was not there to talk about politics. Or that’s what the people thought. The president’s one hour and one minute SONA mainly addressed the administration’s plan for the four super regions: Northern Luzon, Metro Luzon Urban Beltway, Central Luzon and Mindanao. She recognized each super region’s potential in boosting the economic condition of the country. Apart from this, she gave proposals on developing infrastructures to connect and to improve transportation on certain places in the said regions. She even challenged, Tony Boy Locsin, who once said that such plans were not possible. Her SONA was as specific as reducing the cost of electricity, extracting Gethropa for an alternative fuel, and “stamping out terrorism and lawless violence”.

Everything the president presented was impressive and her plans were very detailed. The videos and the PowerPoint Presentation added in giving the people a clearer view on what she wanted to convey. Critics said that it was the most high-tech SONA she had given. But as expected, in the duration of her speech, she never failed to acknowledge the presence of those who supported her administration: from the AFP, the congressmen, to the former president Fidel V. Ramos. And the company Bb. Pilipinas Universe and Pinoy athletes like Manny Pacquiao, seemed to give GMA that “I am a successful president” aura. And again, as expected, applauses and cheers followed every end of her statement.