PBBM names Paul Soriano as presidential adviser for creative communications
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos (PBBM) Jr. has appointed filmmaker Paul Soriano as Presidential Adviser for Creative Communications on Monday.
Soriano took his oath in Malacañang Palace the very same day his appointment was announced.
As Presidential Adviser for Creative Communications, Soriano will “advise the Chief Executive and assist departments and agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations, on matters that will enhance their information dissemination programs and initiatives”, according to a press release from Malacañang.
“One of the greatest assets of the Filipino is our creativity, and we must find many ways to highlight that to the rest of the world. And that is what Paul Soriano has already been doing in his career as a filmmaker. And now we have asked him to help us at one peso per year,” Marcos said in a speech during the oath-taking ceremony.
In response Soriano thanked the President for tapping him as his adviser.
“It’s an absolute honor to be able to serve, first and foremost, of course, for the country and then, of course, for the PBBM administration,” said Soriano. “It’s a passion of mine to just create and communicate. It’s an absolute honor that the President has trusted me with this position.”
Soriano directed the first State of the Nation Address and first 100 Days recap of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
He and his wife, actress Toni Gonzaga, are vocal supporters of Marcos. Santos has helmed Marcos’ campaign advertisements since the latter started out as vice governor until the presidency.
It was Soriano’s idea to feature Marcos in the debut launch of ToniTalks on YouTube.
“You know, in this day and age, you need to do it creatively, and you need to communicate so that the mission and the vision and the message of the President is clearly communicated to the Filipino people,” Soriano said.
Soriano graduated Advertising and Marketing Communications from De Anza College in Cupertino, California, US.
Soriano is the nephew of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos through her first cousin, director Gines Soriano. Marcos also served as a godparent in Soriano and Gonzaga’s wedding.
He won the Best Director and Best Screenplay awards at the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Awards in 2012 for the movie “Thelma.”
Soriano also bagged the Best Director in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for the movie “Siargao” in 2017.
The news set social media channels on fire. Many criticized the evident nepotism and patronage politics on display over Soriano’s appointment. Others questioned the logic of creating a new post for a favored ally at a time when the administration is keen on right-sizing or trimming the government bureaucracy and the country still lacks a Department of Health Secretary.
On the other hand, Soriano had some defenders of his own.
