“3pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon” stars (from left) Jennylyn Mercado, Coco Martin and Ai-Ai delas Alas —PHOTOS BY RICHARD A. REYES
The waving, smiling and screaming started way before things actually got moving.
The starting point of Sunday’s Parade of Stars—the kick-off event of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF)—was the Lakeshore Hall in Lower Bicutan. And because of its proximity to a residential area, crowds of spectators were already milling about the streets early that day, having their photos taken with the floats parked on a closed road across.
The more eager—and nimble—ones, meanwhile, climbed and camped out on rooftops for the best views.
Not all actors dropped by the designated holding area; others opted to wait in the comfort of their own vehicles. The fans knew this. And so, they gawked at random cars and vans, trying to see through the tinted windows. Who knows? Their idols might just be in there.
The mere sight of a door sliding open prompted giddy shrieks, which almost always turned into giggles, once they see some puzzled production staff instead, some of whom seemed almost apologetic for getting everyone’s hopes up.
“Culion’s” female stars (from right): Iza Calzado, Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Meryll Soriano
But at one point, the giddy shrieks stayed as giddy shrieks. Vic Sotto, star of the action-comedy movie “Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity,” had emerged.
“Bossing! Bossing!” the crowd chanted, as the MMFF veteran made his way up an ocean-themed float, together with Pokwang and Jake Cuenca. Upon reaching the deck, the cast, as if on autopilot, pulled off the dance steps to Donna Cruz’s “Kapag Tumibok ang Puso.”
The float of the historical drama movie “Culion” was one of the smaller ones, but also one of the most practical. It resembled a raft, complete with a thatch roof that shielded actresses Iza Calzado, Meryll Soriano and Jasmine Curtis-Smith from the searing midday heat while they blew kisses to the crowd.
“Write About Love’s” float was a clear reference to the romantic drama’s scriptwriter characters portrayed by Rocco Nacino and Miles Ocampo. The platform was lined with film negatives; on top was a giant pen and a script scroll—at the center of which rested a laptop computer.
Coco Martin was one of the most anticipated stars of the event. But not a few people felt let down after hearing gossip that he wasn’t joining the parade. Indeed, the actor didn’t show up. But Paloma, the female alter-ego of the character he plays in the action-comedy flick “3Pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon,” did make a surprise appearance, much to the amusement of the fans.
She wore a blonde wig and a hot pink-and-orange ensemble that looked like a mishmash of She-Ra’s, Sailor Moon’s and other superheroines. “Ang hirap kumita!” Paloma jested in an interview aboard their movie’s twee float heaped with pastel-colored candies and balloons.
“Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity” stars from left: Jake Cuenca, Vic Sotto, Maine Mendoza and Pokwang
“Miracle in Cell No. 7” star Aga Muhlach regaled the fans from behind bars of a prison cell-inspired float. To offset the rather austere design, it was decked with cute stuffed animals and a hot air balloon. Joining Aga in the makeshift jail were his “inmates,” Xia Vigor, Bela Padilla, Joel Torre and more.
But making the experience even more special was the presence of his wife, Charlene Gonzales and their twins, Atasha and Andres. “Miracles do happen!” quipped Aga, who’s celebrating Christmas with his family in the Philippines for the first time in 12 years.
The float of the horror movie “Sunod,” which stars Carmina Villaroel, was a stone building in the clutch of a sinister-looking hand. The deck was webbed with tangled red strings; its body seemingly guarded by shovel-wielding grim reapers.
Cast member Krystal Brimner was a little 8-year-old girl during her first MMFF parade representing “Honor Thy Father” four years ago. “I was so small the people didn’t really see me!” she said. “‘But I’m excited to be part of this now that I’m older; I can now enjoy the parade properly.”
The float of the social drama “Mindanao” was among the tallest and most intricately designed of the day. It was shaped like a ship with an ornate dragon figurehead. The body had yellow, green and red trimmings; its deck was dotted with flags and gold-trimmed parasols.
But its size did have some drawbacks. And award-winning actress Judy Ann Santos learned all about it in hilarious fashion. One moment, she was basking in her fans’ adulation, the next one she was ordering everyone to duck as their float passed through low-hanging tree branches and wires.
“Nakakawala ng poise!” she shrieked.
“Miracle in Cell No. 7” stars Aga Muhlach, Xia Vigor and Bela Padilla
“The Mall The Merrier’s” float was a colorful assortment of department store items and trinkets—giant gift boxes, mannequins, toys, picture frames and garlands. Vice Ganda wasn’t able to make it to the parade’s starting point, because he had to rush from a television promo. But when he made it a couple of minutes later, he made up for it by hyping up the crowd and even singing for them.
His costar, Anne Curtis, however, had to excuse herself from the parade because she’s pregnant and on maternity leave.
Hosted by Taguig City and manned by 700 to 1000 police personnel, the parade began at 1 p.m. at the Lakeshore Hall in Lower Bicutan, then traversed Manuel L. Quezon and MRT avenues, C-5 Road, Upper McKinley Road, Lawton Ave., McKinley Parkway, 32 Street, 7th Ave., 26th Street and 5th Ave. Its final stop was Chateau Road, where a brief program was held. INQ