Cattleya Kisha L. Germina*, Jastin Mae P. Asentista, and Donna Mae S. Tagsip (Authors)
Abstract
In the 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. focused on important national issues such as infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, and economic development. The speech received different reactions from the public; some expressed support, others remained neutral, while some showed doubt and skepticism. Guided by Reader-Response Theory, this study used a phenomenological qualitative approach to understand how people’s personal backgrounds and experiences shaped their interpretations of the SONA. A total of 10 respondents were randomly chosen and interviewed, using a 5-point Likert scale. The findings revealed that socioeconomic conditions, community concerns, and access to information were the strongest factors influencing how the SONA was understood, while religion played the least role. Overall, the study emphasizes that the meaning of the SONA does not solely come from the President’s message, but also from the diverse ways the audience interprets and responds to it.
Keywords: State of the Nation Address, SONA 2025, reader response theory, phenomenological, qualitative study
*Corresponding author
DOI: http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS0404506
Recommended citation:
Germina, C. K L., Asentista, J. M. P., & Tagsip, D. M. S. (2025). Reader response common theorem on President BBM’S SONA 2025. Pantao (The International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences) 4 (4), 5461-5470. http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS0404506
Read the full text
References
Asia Society. (2025). SONA 2025 recap: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address. https://asiasociety.org/philippines/sona-2025-recap-president-ferdinand-marcos-jrs-fourth-state-nation-address#:~:text=President%20Ferdinand%20%E2%80%9CBongbong%E2%80%9D%20Marcos%20Jr,President%20Marcos%20Jr
Baclig, C. (2025). SONA 2025: What’s delivered, promised, and what needs clarity. Inquirer.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2089245/sona-2025-whats-delivered-promised-and-what-needs-clarity
Bongosia, E. (2025). Bohol lawmaker: SONA addresses urgent needs of the poor. Philippine Information Agency. https://pia.gov.ph/bohol-lawmaker-sona-addresses-urgent-needs-of-the-poor/
Cabato, L. (2025). Marcos tackles sovereignty, defense, peace in SONA 2025. Inquirer.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2088542/marcos-on-peace-and-sovereignty-2
Flores, D. (2025). Marcos: P20 per kilo rice still possible nationwide, citing pilot success. Philstar. https://www.philstar.com/business/agriculture/2025/07/28/2461396/marcos-p20-kilo-rice-still-possible-nationwide-citing-pilot-success
Gonzales, A. (2025). Marcos touts better economy, commits to enhance quality of life. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1255273
Guiam, R. (2025). Glaring omissions in the 4th SONA. Inquirer.net. https://opinion.inquirer.net/185148/glaring-omissions-in-the-4th-sona
Inoncencio, S. (2025). What President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said—and didn’t say—in his fourth SONA. Tatler Asia. https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/impact/president-ferdinand-marcos-jr-fourth-sona
Inquirer.net. (2025). SONA 2025: What’s delivered, promised, and what needs clarity. Inquirer.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2089245/sona-2025-whats-delivered-promised-and-what-needs-clarity
Robles, R. (2025). Philippines’ Marcos Jnr rails against corruption in State of the Nation Address. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3319892/philippines-marcos-jnr-rails-against-corruption-state-nation-address
RTVM Presidential Broadcast. (2025). State of the Nation Address 2025. https://stateofthenation.gov.ph/sona/2025/
Sevillano, S. (2025). P20/kilo rice achievable without hurting farmers – PBBM. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1255274
Untalan, S. (2025a). SONA 2025: Highlights from President Marcos’ speech. GMA News. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/954044/sona-2025-marcos-highlights/story/
Untalan, S. (2025b). SONA 2025: Marcos admits “reality” of PH education woes, vows reforms. GMA News. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/954032/sona-2025-marcos-admits-reality-ph-education-vows-reforms/story/
Valmonte, K. (2025). List: Transport infrastructure projects in Marcos’ 4th SONA. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/business/list-transportation-infrastructure-projects-marcos-sona-2025/