On Saturday, thousands of fans eagerly lined the streets of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela (Camanava) to catch a glimpse of their favorite celebrities in the highly anticipated Metro Manila Film Festival’s “Parade of Stars”. This grand parade showcased the star power of the most prominent actors and actresses in the Philippine entertainment industry from the 10 featured entries during the procession of floats.
Among the celebrities seen were Sharon Cuneta, Alden Richards, and Miles Ocampo from the family movie “Family of Two”. Also present were husband and wife Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera of “Rewind”. Pokwang and Eugene Domingo represented “Becky and Badette”, while Christopher de Leon, Darren Espanto, and Cassy Legaspi were part of “When I Met You in Tokyo”. Christian Bables, Teejay Marquez, Iyah Mina, Jay Gonzaga, and Argel Saycon represented “Broken Hearts Trip”.
The parade also included Matteo Guidicelli, Kylie Verzosa, John Arcilla, and Arron Villaflor from “Penduko”; Alessandra de Rossi, Euwenn Mikaell, Yayo Aguila, Miguel Tanfelix, and Ysabel Ortega from “Firefly”; JC Santos, Janella Salvador, and Elisse Joson from “Mallari”; and Cedrick Juan and Elijah Canlas from “GomBurZa”.
As the parade traversed the city streets, fans had the opportunity to witness firsthand the creativity and effort invested in the film entries’ floats. The floats showcased various themes and designs that represented the movies they were promoting.
One of the favorites was the float of GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs’ film “Firefly”. It featured a garden-inspired design with a giant book at the back, symbolizing the film’s story of a young boy searching for a mythical island described in his mother’s stories. The float of “When I Met You in Tokyo” was a sight to see, adorned with cherry blossoms, Japanese lanterns, and umbrellas, capturing the essence of the film’s setting.
“Becky and Badette” had a vibrant float with colors of pink, yellow, blue, and red, decorated with designs of candies, clouds, balloons, and flags. The floats of “Mallari” and “Family of Two” provided sneak peek photos into the scenes of the films, generating excitement among the fans. “Kampon” mixed horror and fantasy by featuring the head of a girl and a giant carousel at the back. “GomBurZa” decorated its float with Spanish colonial period letters, cannons, and a church tower, representing the historical context of the film. “Penduko” had a tribal-inspired float adorned with bones and skulls, reflecting the movie’s theme.
The Parade of Stars, spearheaded by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), was the “biggest edition” this year. The three-hour, 8.7-kilometer parade started at the Navotas Centennial Park and passed through Caloocan and Malabon before stopping at the Valenzuela People’s Park, where the main event was held.
This annual event not only showcases the star power of the Philippine entertainment industry but also brings joy and excitement to fans who eagerly await the release of these films. The Parade of Stars allows fans to connect with their favorite celebrities and get a glimpse into the creative world of Philippine cinema.
Source: The Manila Times