The hashtag #SONAlokona (literally: “So things have gone crazy”) trended on Twitter today, which rounded up some of the most notable comments and memes on President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Adress (SONA).
It was a good display of true Pinoy humor and wit, during a somber occasion that gathered the country’s top politicians.
The event also brought an impressive display of force from thousands of activists. According to activist Renato Reyes Jr., it attracted an estimated 40,000 protesters.
Officially the biggest SONA rally under the Duterte regime. Aabot tayo sa 40,000 mula St. Peter hanggang EVER. #NoToDu30ChaCha pic.twitter.com/fCdskaAQTA
— Renato Reyes, Jr. (@natoreyes) July 23, 2018
Naturally, one of the more notable events that didn’t escape netizens’ notice is the coup that installed former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the new Speaker of the House.
While her predecessor Pantaleon Alvarez is expected to contest her oath-taking, it was just the kind of twist worthy of an episode of Game of Thrones.
Even netizen @mrCocoRoss thinks so, who tweeted a photo of Arroyo as Daenerys.
GMA, mother of dragons, is now the new House Speaker of the Lowest House of Representatives.
Shame.#SONA2018 #GMA #Gloria #SONAlokoNa pic.twitter.com/hwqkkZedXR
— Coco Pi (@mrCocoRoss) July 23, 2018
Someone thought Arroyo was more like Cersei.
This SONA is more dramatic and full of twists than Game of Thrones! Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the Cersei Lannister of the Philippines. The woman knows how to play politics really really well. 😂✌🏻#SONA2018 pic.twitter.com/z9M6WgRKPA
— Chris Dave Tan🏳️🌈 (@ChrisDaveTan) July 23, 2018
Another likened her to Harry Potter’s Dolores Umbridge instead.
Dolores Umbridge is back! #SONA2018 pic.twitter.com/h3fR1nRBZf
— Nozumi Sakuma (@officialzumi) July 23, 2018
Netizen @drew_bchlr tweeted a photo of Arroyo with the caption: “I still won, a**holes!”
Arroyo is certainly survivor — she was arrested in 2011 on charges of corruption and electoral fraud but was freed after the evidence against her was found to be insufficient.
AKO PA RIN ANG NAGWAGI MGA G*GO!! #SONA pic.twitter.com/LY0zPEgAIw
— iamandrew (@drew_bchlr) July 23, 2018
Vocal Duterte critic @PinoyAkoBlog used the event to make fun of Alvarez, whose barong (traditional men’s shirt) looked like it was inspired by Black Panther.
Black Panther is #Shookt #SONalokoNa #SONA2018 pic.twitter.com/ycD0QnsrxV
— PinoyAkoBlog (@PinoyAkoBlog) July 23, 2018
One user made fun of Duterte’s statement that “I will not bore you with the list of my accomplishments,” by writing: “Oh please, try.”
“I will not bore you with the list of my accomplishments.”
Oh please, try.#SONA2018 #SONAlokoNa
— Quimi (@Ehnnyenye) July 23, 2018
A netizen took issue with Duterte’s attack on human rights advocates, who have criticized his controversial drug war. In his speech, the president said: “Your concern is human rights, mine is human lives.”
Wrote @CleveArguelles: “[H]uman rights is about protecting the right to life and maintaining a dignified life.”
Duterte expectedly attacked human rights advocates: “your concern is human rights, mine is human lives”. BUT human rights is about protecting the right to life and maintaining a dignified life. #SONA2018
— Cleve Arguelles (@CleveArguelles) July 23, 2018
User @rhenceignacio used it as an opportunity to showcase the human rights abuses allegedly made during the drug war. He wrote: “Sis, say it again but slowly.”
“Your concern is human rights, mine is human lives.” Sis, say it again but slowly. #SONA2018 pic.twitter.com/pxHNqgoWCG
— (@rhenceignacio) July 23, 2018
User @alymarila also took issue with Duterte’s statement, and wrote: “[C]oming from the president who is essentially responsible for the deaths of our people, especially the innocent and impoverished — [I] have to say, this is IRONIC.”
duterte just said, “your concern is human rights, mine is HUMAN LIFE.”
coming from the president who is essentially responsible for the deaths of our people, especially the innocent and impoverished — i have to say, this is IRONIC.
#SONA2018 #SONALokoNa— Aly Lampano (@alymarila) July 23, 2018
In many of the president’s speeches, he usually drops a cuss word or two to make a point. But this 49-minute SONA is a notable exception. Parody account @HecklerForever wrote: “I sincerely hope he’s ok.”
Rodrigo Duterte did not curse in his third State of the Nation Address. I sincerely hope he’s ok. #SONA2018
— Professional Heckler (@HecklerForever) July 23, 2018
User @krizzy_kalerqui made fun of the president’s statement that corruption must stop.
“cOrRuPtiON mUzT StOp” -Duterte #SONA2018 pic.twitter.com/HCauyflzzq
— Miss Krizzy (@krizzy_kalerqui) July 23, 2018
What’s your favorite SONA-related tweet or meme? Share with it with us by tweeting to @CoconutsManila.
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