Large crowd awaited and cheered on their favorite celebrities during the Metro Manila Film Festival Parade of Stars held in Manila, a significant occasion in celebration of the festival’s 50th edition.
The atmosphere was full of excitement as each movie-themed float, with cast members of the festival entries onboard, pass through Manila streets up to the Manila Central Post Office which is the endpoint of the parade.
Spectators lined up the streets along the parade route, shouting cheers and waving banners for their favorite celebrities.
Some of the artists who joined the parade are Vilma Santos, Judy Ann Santos, Lorna Tolentino, Vic Sotto, Aga Muhlach, Eugene Domingo, Vice Ganda, Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes, Dennis Trillo, Enrique Gil, Carlo Aquino, Julia Barretto, Francine Diaz, and Seth Fedelin, among others who greeted and waved back at their fans.
MMDA Chairman and concurrent MMFF overall Chairman Atty. Don Artes ensured fair distribution of the official entries among cinemas in Metro Manila and other major cities outside of the National Capital Region.
He likewise enjoined the public to support the ten official films in the golden edition of the MMFF.
“Let us support Philippine movies.”
“Siniguro po naming magaganda ang mga pelikulang aming handog sa inyo ngayong ika-50 edisyon ng MMFF. Let us support Philippine movies. Let us support MMFF,” Artes said before the Parade of Stars kicked off.
Artes, with Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, Vice Mayor Yul Servo, and other city officials, led the parade kickoff with the traditional sounding of the gong at the Kartilya ng Katipunan.
The ten official entries for the MMFF@50 are: The Kingdom, Topakk, Uninvited, Isang Himala, Hold Me Close, Espantaho, My Future You, And The Breadwinner Is…, Green Bones, and Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital.
MMFF movies will run in all cinemas nationwide from December 25 to January 7, 2025.
Upon reaching the Manila Central Post Office, meet-and-greet session immediately followed. Stars of the ten official movies also took their time to promote their respective movies which will run in all cinemas nationwide from December 25 to January 7, 2025.
A music festival, featuring performances led by rock artist Bamboo and various artists, further entertained the audience.