The celebrities and showbiz names present during SONA 2022
Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) as the chief executive of the Philippines, and among the crowd of the country's lawmakers were a few familiar showbiz faces.
Dubbed as a "simple and traditional" event, this year's SONA was directed by filmmaker and longtime Marcos Jr. supporter, Paul Soriano.
Before Marcos Jr. delivered his speech exactly 25 days after Inauguration Day, here are some of the celebrities present during SONA 2022.
Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla, Robin Padilla
Senator Lito Lapid was also among the Batasang Pambansa crowd. He was seated alongside fellow action stars-turned-lawmakers, Bong Revilla and Robin Padilla.
Karla Estrada
The actress and television host Karla Estrada was tasked to sing the national anthem during the opening of the 19th Congress.
Karla Estrada, former host of ABS-CBN talkshow Magandang Buhay, sings the national anthem. She is introduced as “Karla Estrada of Tingog party-list” @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/d3szD8Iwgy
— Xave Gregorio (@XaveGregorio) July 25, 2022
Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres Gomez, and Juliana Gomez
Leyte Representative and actor Richard Gomez brought his wife, former representative Lucy Torrez Gomez, and daughter, Juliana, to the Batasang Pambansa Complex.
The trio entered the event grounds hand in hand, with the mother-daughter tandem wearing matching cream Filipinianas.
While awaiting Marcos Jr., Gomez was also spotted taking a photo with fellow actor, Robin Padilla.
Arjo Atayde
Newly-minted Quezon City Congressman Arjo Atayde attended the event in an intricate barong. The actor also met with the family of Richard Gomez while on the red carpet.
Rachel Peters
Model and Miss Universe Philippines 2017 Rachel Peters was all-smiles to the event alongside her husband, Cam Sur representative, Miguel Luis "Migz" Villafuerte.
Heart Evangelista
The fashionista showed support for her husband, Senator Chiz Escudero, in a Bumgarner piece inspired by the modern Filipiniana. In a post before the event proper, Heart shared an Instagram Reel showcasing the all-white ensemble.
"This is now," she wrote.
Sylvia Sanchez
Veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez also attended the event alongside her son, Arjo Atayde. Sanches wore a Frankie De Leon couture Filipinana with gold and silver accents.
Aiko Melendez
Aiko Melendez was a vision in a soft pink Filipiniana. This wouldn't be the first time that the actress has attended a SONA, as she has been the consistent date of Subic Vice-Governor Jay Khonghun.
