Annual MMFF parade spells mayhem, as usual

JENNYLYN Mercado and Derek Ramsay greet the fans on Roxas Boulevard.

As early as 11 a.m., or two hours before the scheduled start of the Parade of Stars that kicked off the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), a number of eager fans were out and about on Bradco Avenue in Parañaque City, hoping for early sightings.

It was a cloudless, sweltering day. But nothing, it seemed, could have stopped people from milling around and taking selfies with the eight floats, one for each of the competing movies, parked along the closed-off road.

Some were rowdier than others, leaning against heavily tinted vans beside the floats, trying to see through the glass. They probably thought, if they looked long and hard enough, the windows would roll down to reveal their favorite stars.

JEORGE Estregan and leading lady Sam Pinto (right) look thrilled throughout the event.

As the clock struck one, teenage girls began crowding around the float of the historical biopic “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo,” screaming as each cast member—Robin Padilla, RJ Padilla, Rommel Padilla, Vina Morales, Jasmine Curtis-Smith—mounted the vessel.

Who’s that?

Filipinos love their celebrities, never mind that they don’t know who they’re cheering for at times. “Who’s that?” a young girl, pointing at RJ, asked her giddy mom, who replied, “That’s Alden Richards!”

When teen heartthrob Daniel Padilla hopped on to join his costars, mayhem promptly ensued. Squealing now, girls clambered up concrete traffic barriers. Inching closer, some started jumping up and down. Program host Candy Pangilinan took to the microphone and implored, “The parade won’t start unless you all keep a safe distance from the floats. The drivers can’t see very well, and  you may get run over.”

Over at the “My Big Bossing” float, child actor Alonzo Muhlach, a spitting image of his father Niño, was putting on a show, dancing in the heat of the sun as lead star “Bossing” Vic Sotto watched with amusement. Ryzza Mae Dizon scanned the crowd with both excitement and bewilderment.

Crying Bimby

The floats began heading to Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park—via Roxas Boulevard—at about 1:30 p.m. Not a few big names were nowhere in sight. When the horror film “Feng Shui 2’s” float rolled past the crowd, one fan hissed, “Wala naman si Kris [Aquino]!”

“PRAYBEYT Benjamin” team (from left): Richard Yap, Alex Gonzaga, Vice Ganda, Nikki Valdez, director Wenn V. Deramas and Tom Rodriguez

COCO Martin, a first-timer at the annual event, relished the experience.

Turned out, the TV host was stuck in heavy traffic on Edsa with her son, James “Bimby” Aquino Yap Jr., who was supposed to join the cast of “The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin” in the parade. On Instagram, Kris posted a photo of Bimby crying. Fortunately, for their fans, they caught up midway through the event.

Kris’ costar, Coco Martin, meanwhile, said he was happy to take part in the annual tradition for the first time. “I’m so excited to show all the people my appreciation for their support—even by just waving at them and hopefully shaking their hands,” he told the Inquirer  via a text message. “I’m proud to be part of the MMFF.”

Latecomers

Other latecomers were “Praybeyt Benjamin” lead star Vice Ganda, who was in Malacañang taping an interview with President Aquino for his Sunday show, “Gandang Gabi, Vice”; and “Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles” actor Dingdong Dantes, who was reportedly doing fittings for his wedding (one week later).

Richard Yap, also of “Praybeyt Benjamin,” had gone straight to the parade after landing in Manila from Vietnam, where he received an acting award with “Be Careful with My Heart” leading lady Jodi Sta. Maria. “I’m looking forward to seeing all the fans,” he told the Inquirer via text. “It’s amazing to be part of this parade.”

“KUBOT” cast (from left) : Bogart the Explorer, Lotlot de Leon, KC Montero, Dingdong Dantes, Isabelle Daza and Jun Sabayton

Heady eyefuls

Carla Abellana, Dennis Trillo and Lovi Poe of the horror movie “Shake, Rattle and Roll XV” didn’t make it. Still, movie fans got heady eyefuls—Matteo Guidicelli, Daniel Matsunaga and Erich Gonzales of “Shake”;  “Tom Rodriguez” of “Praybeyt Benjamin”; Jeorge Estregan and Sam Pinto of “Muslim Magnum .357”; Derek Ramsay and Jennylyn Mercado of “English Only, Please”; and Isabelle Daza, Julie Anne San Jose and Abra of “Kubot.”

One by one the floats trudged on, the stars atop them waving and tossing away goodies that had zealous spectators tripping over themselves. It rained candies, posters, bandanas … Most coveted were the T-shirts; they caused such a commotion that, if one happened by anywhere near your head, the wisest recourse was to duck.

Photos by Raffy Lerma

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