ICYMI, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) happened yesterday. While many are still dissecting his speech, netizens are also pointing out something they saw: Senator Risa Hontiveros refusing to clap while the president was introduced. For that, she earned the Internet’s attention.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros didn’t clap

Risa Hontiveros IS A FUCKING MOOD.

SONA pic.twitter.com/bbTbKyDMV1

— gab (@gabcrdz) July 25, 2022

This short clip from the SONA live stream showed how everyone at Batasang Pambansa was clapping when Marcos Jr. was introduced. Well, almost everyone. Eagle-eyed netizens saw that Hontiveros didn’t clap but instead stood straight with her arms by her side. And netizens applauded her for it.

“Risa Hontiveros is a f***ing mood,” tweeted one netizen.

“My girl not clapping, korique [correct] behavior,” said another.

Another tweet that gained thousands of likes likened Hontiveros with the Tumindig artwork that sparked solidarity among Filipinos in 2021. Tumindig showed one defiant fist standing up in the middle of bowing fist men, an eerie parallel with Hontiveros refusing to clap in a room full of people clapping.

i believe in sen. risa hontiveros supremacy 🛐 pic.twitter.com/sZrKQVNs9O

— irish (@ishdanica_) July 25, 2022

“Stand straight and slay!” said another netizen with others agreeing that Hontiveros is a “solid” and “consistent” senator.

SEN. @risahontiveros NOT GIVING HIM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE! I LOVE YOU PO SO MUCH! STAND STRAIGHT & SLAY 🫡🫡🫡💗#SONA pic.twitter.com/wshunO53U9

— eiya 🏵️ (taylor’s version) (@SPACEWALKKKS) July 25, 2022

She is part of the two-person senate minority

Marcos may have Lower and Upper House supermajority, but there will always be that one woman who refuses to clap. More power to Senator Risa Hontiveros. #SONA2022 https://t.co/Ynl8azIibq

— Ash Presto 💜 (@sosyolohija) July 25, 2022

“Marcos may have Lower and Upper House supermajority, but there will always be that one woman who refuses to clap,” another netizen tweeted. “More power to Senator Risa Hontiveros.”

When the 19th Congress opened last Monday, a new set of Senate leaders were elected. Hontiveros was announced as one of only two Senate minority members along with designated Minority Leader Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

Meanwhile, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri is elected Senate President with 22 senators joining the majority bloc while two remain independent.

What did she think of the president’s SONA?

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Marcos Jr.’s SONA is not far from briefings by the DBCC, wishes there were mentions to address corruption. Hontiveros also emphasized she is against the push for mandatory ROTC mentioned in the SONA. @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/m0Ghp0EJQW

— Wena Cos (@wenacos) July 25, 2022

In an interview with the press after the SONA, Hontiveros thought it was a “mixed bag” akin to a “shopping list of a number of programs that are ongoing already.” She also said that she would’ve wanted to hear about Marcos Jr.’s anti-corruption efforts given our country’s grim history with it.

Hontiveros also reiterated that she does not support mandatory ROTC for students, one of Marcos Jr.’s key points in his SONA. “Hindi ‘yun ang optimal. ‘Yung mga kabataan natin may iba’t-ibang paraan para mahalin at mag-silbi kay Inang Bayan.. Huwag natin silang pipilitin,” said the senator.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros showed her fun side

Sisters @piahontiveros and @risahontiveros just did a TikTok trend. #SONA2022 pic.twitter.com/1KTCLhwWCn

— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) July 25, 2022

The senator had a bit of fun while the Internet is divided between praising her or criticizing her. She’s seen with her sister CNN Philippines anchor Pia Hontiveros attempting a viral TikTok trend — dancing to South Korean rapper Jessi’s “Zoom” song.

The sisters donned their gowns made by local designers. Sen. Risa wore a modern baro’t saya made from Aklan Piña fabric and hand-embroidered in Lumban, Laguna designed by Joel Acebuche. She also had a hand-woven Tikog bag from Samar and a pair of Marikina-made pumps. Meanwhile, Pia was wearing a reworked “5-year old wine red gown” made by Uila Cruz.

What do you think of Sen. Risa Hontiveros refusing to clap for Marcos Jr.? Share your thoughts with us below!

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