While President Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) tackled serious national concerns, it also gave Pinoy netizens a new wave of viral content, thanks to some unexpected camera cuts, celebrity sightings and meme-worthy moments.
Among the top trending topics was the presence of fashion icon Heart Evangelista and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey.
The two arrived at the national event stunning in their Filipiniana gowns, sparking comparisons and playful rivalry among their fandoms over who truly stole the spotlight.
One camerawork focused on Senator Camille Villar moments after the president discussed ongoing water supply problems in some areas in the country.
Netizens were quick to point out the timing of the camera pan to the senator, given the Villar family’s ownership of PrimeWater, a private water provider recently criticized for service issues.
“Shady cameraman. Puksaan na!”, one user quipped, with another playfully commenting, “Right on cue.”
Marcos and Villar were later seen shaking hands after concluding his SONA.
A lighter moment came PNP chief Nicolas Torre III stood up from his seat after Marcos jokingly called him the “bagong kampeon” while congratulating world-class athletes and highlighting the government’s sports programs during his speech.
The joke referred to Torre being declared the winner by default after acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte didn’t show up for the supposed charity boxing match that the former set last Sunday. According to reports, Duterte was abroad for a scheduled family trip.
Some viewers also noticed what appeared to be a subtle jab at Vice President Sara Duterte, who was absent from the SONA, alongside other senators including the president’s sister Imee Marcos, as well as Robin Padilla, Bong Go and Bato Dela Rosa.
This moment occurred when Marcos mentioned that government-provided laptops had finally arrived for distribution to public school teachers, while assuring that there were no “anomalies” in their procurement.
It can be recalled that an alleged “irregularity” on Department of Education’s (DepEd) proposed budget for 2025, involved claims of “rigged bidding” related to laptops and other electronic devices during Duterte’s stint as the secretary of the agency.
“The girls are fighting, aren’t they,” one netizen tweeted, alongside a GIF of a wide-eyed reaction.
Beauty queen MJ Lastimosa also earned laughs after tweeting about politicians who gave a standing ovation during Marcos’ remarks on misused flood control budgets.
Her tweet read: “Taray ng mga congressmen na naki standing ovation sa flood control misused budget part ng SONA. Kunwari di sila tinamaan. Emeee!!”
Witty online users eventually took their chances to transform some SONA moments into memes.
One video featured Kapuso actress Sanya Lopez’s viral gown transformation as her “arrival look” at Batasang Pambansa where the event was held.
Another page turned “SONA” into a pun, accompanying its X post with a photo of sauna room and the caption: “Here na sa #SONA2025”.
