Celebrities and personalities who attended the 2026 SONA
During President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s fifth State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday, July 27, the usual fashion spectacle was still absent.
Following last year's public backlash against lavish displays during tough economic times, the House of Representatives scrapped the traditional red-carpet pageantry in favor of restraint and modesty. Still, even without it, it was impossible not to spot the usual parade of celebrities, public figures, and high-profile personalities turning heads as they arrived at the Batasang Pambansa Complex.
Spouses and partners of elected officials—long considered red-carpet staples—are stepping into low-key roles. Among them are Audrey Zubiri, wife of Senator Migz Zubiri; Kathy Pimintel, wife of former Senator Koko Pimintel; and Xandra Rocha-Araneta, wife of the Presidential nephew Luis Marcos Araneta.
Celebrities include Yassi Pressman, who recently got engaged to Pili Rep. Luigi Villafuerte last week, former senator and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, and GMA Network's Senior Vice President, Annette Gozon Valdes.
Some celebrity politicians are attending simply to do their jobs as lawmakers. These include Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto and Bayambang Mayor Nina Jose-Quiambao.
Meanwhile, the plenary hall will also feature several absences. Vice President Sara Duterte is skipping the address for the third consecutive year as she travels in the United Kingdom. Other notable absent figures include Senator Bato dela Rosa, who remains in hiding, and Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada, who are currently detained.
Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, and Loren Legarda are expected to be no-shows for the afternoon address, despite having attended the formal opening of the regular session earlier in the day.
Last year, a memo from House Secretary General Reginald Velasco stated that the area where the red carpet originally was will only be for entering and official greetings. There won't be special photo areas to show what VIPs are wearing anymore, but the media can still interview officials and important guests.
Guests were asked to wear formal attire, and traditional Filipino clothing, like barong or Filipiniana, was encouraged. “Members are respectfully urged to avoid ostentatious displays and exercise discretion in their wardrobe choices,” the memo said.
