Covering Events Where the President of the Philippines Is the Keynote Speaker

It's always exciting to cover events graced by celebrities—but when the guest of honor is the President of the Philippines, that's a different kind of thrill (and pressure).

Our team at Digibox Audio Visual Productions has handled several events attended by former presidents Erap, GMA, and President Noynoy Aquino, along with senators and high-ranking officials. Inside the technical booth, though, we stay professional—even if we're just whispering over headsets, it's always "Mr. President" or "Mr. Senator." You never know who's listening on the line!

Setting Up Earlier Than Usual
Security is tight when the President's around. The Presidential Security Group (PSG) has to inspect every piece of equipment, which means our team has to set up much earlier than usual—sometimes hours before the event doors even open. Cameras, switchers, and cables all get the signature blue inspection sticker (some of our crew even collect them as keepsakes!).

Camera Placement
We usually position one camera near the podium, but when the President's in attendance, there's a strict no-camera zone directly in front of or near the stage. Once he arrives, we make quick adjustments and relocate cameras as needed.

Rest Time
Surprisingly, we get a bit of a breather once the President starts speaking. The RTVM (Radio Television Malacañang) handles the official coverage and provides a live feed that's used for LED walls and projectors. We just focus on our documentation footage and let them worry about camera angles.

Our latest presidential coverage was for the Integrity Summit 2015, held on December 9 at Shangri-La Hotel, Makati City. President Benigno S. Aquino III was the keynote speaker in this gathering of business leaders, government officials, and advocates for good governance and ethical business practices.

Event Organizer: The Thirdline Inc.