Brillante Mendoza no longer directing Duterte’s next SONA

MANILA - Joyce Bernal will be the director of the third State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte, Palace communications secretary Martin Andanar confirmed Thursday.

Bernal, known for directing romantic and comedy films such as “Kimmy Dora”, “Mr. Suave”, and “Don’t Give Up On Us,” replaces acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza.

Mendoza directed Duterte’s first two SONAs. He had drawn both cheers and jeers for his unconventional use of shots and camera angles in the President’s SONAs.

• Brillante Mendoza draws cheers, jeers in Duterte’s 2nd SONA

In Duterte's previous SONA, Mendoza made use of creative shots, switching between extreme close-ups and eye-level shots.

The wide variety of artistic shots featured on the national live broadcast of the SONA included lens flares, slow camera panning, and close-ups, which drew the attention of numerous viewers.