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Attending President Gloria’s first State-of-the-Nation Address (in her new six-year term) was like attending a grand fashion show and a political convention all in one big event at the Batasan hall.
First, just to get to the venue on Commonwealth avenue in Quezon City was a feat what with the heavy rains, demonstrators trying to get past the police ranks near  the St. Peter’s church and heavy vehicular traffic as a result.

Normally, I don’t badger Hubby to bring me to the SONA. I know how difficult the expedition can be but this time, even he was quite eager to go and be part of history. So I opened my “aparador” to look for something “appropriate” to wear, as the invitation stated.

I came up with a 12-year-old dinner jacket made of “malong” fabric from Mindanao and beaded so very lightly by designer Loretto. This particular top was a great favorite of mine and an indulgence, a gift from Hubby after leaving Malacañang! Having lost some 22 pounds, thanks to the Cambridge Diet and much urging and monitoring from Hubby, the jacket fitted very comfortably. I also knew I couldn’t compete with the congressional spouses’ fabulous ternos!

Anyway, paired with black pants, I sailed through the security checks with Hubby and found our place at the south wing, thanks to Medy Poblador who wisely went earlier and save us two seats. From where we sat, we watched the honorable gentlemen in their pina and multi-colored barong tagalogs and ladies of the 13th Congress in their Filipiniana finery gathering on the floor of the great hall waiting for the precisely-timed arrival of the Chief Executive. Giant screens kept the audience updated on what was happening outside the Batasan hall, but not of the protesters, who we learned later, were not as numerous nor as persistent to get near as originally predicted. Blame it (or thank) on the heavy rains.

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Filipiniana attire was the order of the day, and President Gloria was in deep canary yellow terno, recycled, according to close aides. She looked very regal and trim and in full control. Bursts of applause her almost-an-hour speech but it was when she declared that after addressing pressing economy problems, she wanted charter change on the legislative agenda did the congressmen plus many senators too, cheered lustily and lengthily! They even stood up from their seats to give her a standing ovation!

Interestingly, newly re-elected Senate President Frank Drilon remained impassive and refused to applaud, unlike his house counterpart, Speaker Joe de Venecia. So expect fireworks in the future between the two Houses and whether changing the charter will be through a constituent assembly (congress constituting itself into the body to amend or change the charter) or to constitutional convention (delegates to be elected by the people). Abangan!

Again, interestingly, Frank’s province-mate, Miriam Defensor Santiago, elected with the administration’s K4, promptly surprised everyone (except Frank) when she voted for opposition candidate Nene Pimentel against Drilon that same morning! She stressed she was supporting President Gloria but not Frank’s leadership in the Senate… what’s that again, senadora?

The root of this “love-hate” relationship between Frank and Miriam can be traced to their college years in UP when they were classmates and competitors academically. And then it was continued when they were both in the Aquino Cabinet and further deepened when she ran for president. PCCA endorsed her opponent, FVR.

It can be that Miriam has not yet gotten over her slim defeat and probably still blames Frank for it and for recruiting now congressman Ronnie Puno of Antipolo, in the campaign of FVR. To be fair to Frank, he didn’t officially recruit Ronnie. The FVR boys did. As executive secretary then, he had to be above the election campaign as per orders of President Cory. Anyway, expect the fiery senadora to be Frank’s “thorn” and Nene’s ally in the days to come. As she fumed at the opening of the Senate, she can’t stand being “dictated upon” and will retain her independent stand.

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In the VIP gallery where the foreign diplomats sat, Mila Drilon, wife of Senate President Frank was in deep red draped terno, while Gina de Venecia, the not-so-secret weapon” of Speaker Joe was in a golden yellow terno. With them were former president Fidel V. Ramos, First Gentleman Mike, Vice-President Noli de Castro (who is now getting well-deserved pats-on-the-back for his statesman-like gesture of giving up his appointment to the DSWD for the noblest of reasons, self-sacrifice and unity) host city mayor Sonny Belmonte who by protocol had to seat beside Imelda Marcos, Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. a seat away from her.

Senadoras Pia Cayetano and Jamby Madrigal were in blue, Pia in a terno and Jamby in a gown with what looked like a stylized “alampay.” Most congressional spouses as well as the 38 lady legislators (except those from Mindanao like Mrs. Digs Dilangalen) wore ternos in various shades and fabrics, from pina to Thai silk to Ilocano abel cloth. Seated in front of us were congressional spouses in their dainty ternos, Annabel Pingoy of South Cotobato’s 2nd district, Glenda Barinaga of Zamboanga del Norte and Beth Espinosa of Guimaras, where good exportable mangoes come from. We like Louie Locsin’s (Makati) elegant beige stylized kimona gown, Dr. Pacita Gonzales, mother of neophyte congressman Raul Jr. came in another draped flaming orange terno and Rep. Clavel Martinez of Cebu, in canary yellow kimona.

We also met lady governor Imelda Dimaporo from Lanao del Norte who was slim and stunning in her emerald green and aquamarine terno made of sari cloth from India. Other lady guests were also in ternos and baro’t saya, like former UP regent Nelia Gonzales, commissioner Nona Ricafort, even former actress Daisy Romualdez, one of Gina de V’s “angels” in various shades of purple terno. It was really a feast for Filipiniana watchers. Which was fine with us because it gave our weavers and designers a much needed boost.

Merienda fare was served to guests after the speech of the President and this was catered by Via Mare. I had skipped lunch so I dug into the buffet spread of shrimp ukoy, fried wanton dumplings, and kesong puti in hot pandesal. We then left before the horde of guests waiting to be seen by President Gloria started to leave, so we had a relatively easy ride home.

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Congratulations to Joe Nicolas & The Manila Hotel Strings for bagging the Aliw Award for best hotel performing group. Joe deserves the award for giving us several decades of beautiful lounge music! Also, bouquets to Rufino Macapinlac and his sister Nettie for their joint birthdays today. “Tata Rufing” who is the best master shoemaker in Tarlac, Tarlac is turning a ripe 80 and for Nettie, it isn’t polite to ask ladies their real ages, so just kisses and hugs from us. Nettie is one of the pillars of the group, “49ers” and they do volunteer work for the Aquino Museum for the love of Tita Cory!

Our deepest condolences to our “cumadre” Mary Andaya on the death of husband, former Capiz congressman Vicente last Monday. I understand Mary came home from the US to bury Vic who was also a real estate pioneer.