Preparations are underway by the Secretariats of both Houses of Congress for Monday’s (July 28) State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the President. Every year, the President is mandated by the Constitution to deliver her SONA to the Joint Session of Congress. Article VII, Section 23 of the 1987 Constitution reads: “The President shall address the Congress at the opening of its regular session. He may also appear before it at any other time.”

Discussions in the Senate Secretariat include the Senators’ security arrangements from the Senate to the Batasan Pambansa complex. Each solon is given a police escort to ensure that he or she makes it in time before the President’s arrival.
 
Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Ret. General Jose Balajadia confirmed that as is usual during the previous years, a helicopter will be standing by for those who prefer to go by air. The helicopter will be waiting at the Ipil-Ipil Grounds, a stone’s throw away from the Senate where the El Shaddai Catholic charismatic group used to worship. Tentative departure is 2pm.
 
In the morning, there will be a formal opening by Senate President Manny Villar at the Session Hall, which is made more colorful by the presence of the Senate Spouses at the VIP gallery with their colorful Filipiniana costumes, together with members of the diplomatic corps.

On SONA day, entrance to the small Senate Session Hall is strictly by invitation only, and only members of the media with special identification cards specifically issued for that day can enter the Session Hall.

Yearly, the Senate Protocol Office allocates only one VIP invitation for the Senator’s spouse, one for the Senator’s Chief of Staff who will be seated at Gallery B, and only three more invitations for the Senator’s special guests who will have to be seated at the public gallery.

For the Joint Session with the House of Representatives in the afternoon, each Senator’s office is given three invitations with specific seating stubs – one for the Senator’s spouse and two for the Senator’s guests who will be seated at the second level of the Batasan Pambansa, usually with the Mayors.
 
This lobbyist has observed that Senators’ wives have already toned down in dressing up for this affair. Previously, some ladies would come in fully beaded ternos with huge billowing skirts. Nowadays, simple blouse and skirt made of local materials are the standard fare. Last year, Mrs. Bong “Lani Mercado” Revilla came in a fetching cream barong mini-skirt dress.

How can I forget Mrs. Lacson’s black and white striped spaghetti strapped gown? It looked so good on her creamy complexion.
 
Former Senators might also make an appearance. Usually present are Senators Santanina Rasul, Letty Ramos-Shahani, and Heherson Alvarez with wife Cecille.

Sources from the office of the Senate’s Executive Director for External Affairs and Relations, Ms. Diana Le Cruz, whispered that a buffet spread for 450, which includes the Senators, their families, guests, officials of the Senate Secretariat, and the Senate media is, as always, going to be prepared in the three connected committee hearing rooms by the Senate’s in-house caterer, LQV Food Corporation. 
 
At the House of Representatives, Senators who arrive one after the other are “ambushed” by the press inquiring about their expectations or why they chose not to boycott the SONA.
 
It’s always a riveting experience to hang out at the lobby to watch the arrival of the VIPs from Malacañang and the provinces: those who rule and rock our nation.

But, at one point, one has to tear himself from the fanfare and secure a seat because even and in spite of tickets, the galleries are always packed.

Fifteen minutes before the President arrives, the doors of the cavernous Session Hall of the House of Representatives are locked for security reasons.
 
When the President finally emerges from the middle aisle, even if you are an Opposition at heart, you just might surprise yourself and find yourself clapping; it’s the awe that against all possible political and economic odds, she is still the President of our country. She hurdled and is still hurdling through. Her sheer guts and driven determination will force your two hands together.

One of the best things I like about listening to the SONA is when the President goes personal and mentions names of particular personages whom she chooses to give honor to. 
 
After listening to the litany of alleged achievements and ambitious promises, finger food is served at the Congressional Lounge, a chance for a brief tête-à-tête among the Senators, members of the House, their wives, and staff members.
 
Another opening, another show!

It should be noted that Rep.De Venecia won’t be seated there anymore.  Let’s see how House Speaker Nograles claps his hand as GMA delivers her speech.

*Lifted from  http://www.thelobbyist.biz/column_detail.php?id_article=853&id_category=36

**Villar-De Venecia-GMA photo from http://www.kapirasongkritika.wordpress.com/2007/08/

***SONA 2007 photo from http://www.pcij.org

****Militants in the Street photo from http://www.bulatlat.com/files/u1/7-25-sonaNY.jpg