The stars of the first-ever Summer Metro Manila Film Festival during the Parade of Stars in Quezon City. (Photo by HANNAH MALLORCA / INQUIRER.net)
Despite the scorching heat, hundreds of fans trooped to Commonwealth Avenue to witness the actors atop the floats of the eight participating films at the Summer Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) on Sunday, April 2.
The parade, which started at Villa Beatriz on Commonwealth Avenue and proceeded to the Quezon Memorial Circle, kicked off the first-ever Summer MMFF which will run from April 8 to 18. The festival will award its best actors and filmmakers at the Gabi ng Parangal on April 11 at the New Frontier Theater.
‘Yung Libro Sa Napanuod Ko’
Float of ‘‘Yung Libro Sa Napanuod Ko.” (Photo by HANNAH MALLORCA / INQUIRER.net)
Following a photo-op with the participating films’ stars, the book-inspired float of “Yung Libro Sa Napanuod Ko” — starring Bella Padilla, Yoo Min-gon, and Boboy Garrovillo — was the first to hit the streets.
LOOK: The book-inspired float of “Yung Libro Sa Napanuod Ko” starring Bela Padilla, Boboy Garrovillo, and Yoo Min-gon is the first one to hit the road, as the lead stars can be seen taking photos of each other after waving to their fans. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/dbOdI5d39l
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 2, 2023
The float is an ode to the film’s synopsis, where Lisa (Bela Padilla) crosses paths with Kim Gun-hoo (Yoo Min-gon) who introduces himself as a fan of her book. Gun-hoo then invites the author to South Korea where she is given the opportunity to visit the destinations where her K-dramas are filmed.
‘About Us But Not About Us’
Float of “About Us But Not About Us.” (Photo by HANNAH MALLORCA / INQUIRER.net)
The ornate, gold float of “About Us But Not About Us” was nothing short of elaborate, and the cast and crew even greeted the crowd with toy bubble guns in tow.
LOOK: The cast and crew of “About Us But Not About Us” greet the crowd while holding toy bubble guns, while Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas appeared to be excited about their fans’ response. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/MhLP4DuRMD
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 2, 2023
But prior to the parade, lead stars Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas revealed during an interview with reporters that the film was an “emotional” one — perhaps, a contrast to the float’s detailed design.
‘Here Comes The Groom’
Float of “Here Comes The Groom.” (Photo by HANNAH MALLORCA / INQUIRER.net)
The flamingo-helmed float of “Here Comes The Groom” is reminiscent of its vibrant cast, where Enchong Dee, Maris Racal, Awra Briguela, Kaladkaren, Miles Ocampo, and “Drag Race Philippines season one” alum Xilhouete were energetic from the pre-parade interviews to the event itself.
LOOK: The flamboyant, flamingo-helmed float of “Here Comes The Groom” starring Enchong Dee, Maris Racal, Awra Briguela, and Kaladkaren was the third one to make its way on Commonwealth Avenue at the Summer MMFF Parade of Stars. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/TAf8A5ms5l
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 2, 2023
One of the most noteworthy features of the float includes the throng of topless men flexing their abs, which reflected on its synopsis where a soul-swapping adventure happened after a vehicle hit the van of gay pageant konteseras.
‘Love You Long Time’
Float of “Love You Long Time.” (Photo by HANNAH MALLORCA / INQUIRER.net)
Carlo Aquino and Eisel Serrano led the flower-decked float of “Love You Long Time,” where the latter was even seen greeting his excited fans with a microphone.
LOOK: An excited Carlo Aquino can be seen greeting fans with a microphone as the flower-decked float of “Love You Long Time” caught the attention of the crowd. Aquino is joined by his leading lady Eisel Serrano. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/dMTazMngTe
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 2, 2023
The float appeared to be a tribute to the Northern Blossom Flower Farm in Atok, Benguet, where the film was set.
‘Single Bells’
Float of “Single Bells.” (Photo by HANNAH MALLORCA / INQUIRER.net)
An excited Alex Gonzaga, Angeline Quinto, and Aljur Abrenica were the highlights of the Single Bells’ fiesta-inspired float, where the former could even be seen greeting the commuters on the stretch of Commonwealth Avenue.
“‘Nay, alam kong may jowa ka na. Manood na po kayo kahit ‘di na kayo single,” Gonzaga said, as the float hit the streets. (Nanay, I know you have a partner. Please watch our film even if you’re not single.)
LOOK: “Single Bells” stars Angeline Quinto and Aljur Abrenica greet to an excited group of fans, while Alex Gonzaga appeared to be giving shout-outs to several commuters along Commonwealth Avenue with a microphone. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/TgV05o3I1r
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 2, 2023
Controversies aside, Gonzaga described the rom-com as a tribute to the singles desperate to meet the love of their lives during a pre-parade interview, noting that her husband, Lipa City Councilor Mikee Morada, permitted her to do intimate scenes with Abrenica.
‘Apag’
Float of “Apag.” (Photo by HANNAH MALLORCA / INQUIRER.net)
Contrary to the float’s dark, vintage house-inspired demeanor, screams for lead actor Coco Martin were evident as a throng of fans greeted him with either “Idol Tanggol” or “Cardo Dalisay,” his roles in the FPJ-adapted dramas “Batang Quiapo” and “Ang Probinsyano,” respectively.
LOOK: Overwhelming screams and “Si Idol Tanggol” can be heard when the vintage house-inspired float of “Apag,” starring Coco Martin, Senator Lito Lapid, and Gladys Reyes, hit the busy Commonwealth Avenue. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/KlFonGfuWx
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 2, 2023
The all-smiles Martin was joined by Sen. Lito Lapid, and seasoned actresses Gladys Reyes and Jaclyn Jose.
‘Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko’
Float of “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko.” (Photo by HANNAH MALLORCA / INQUIRER.net)
Papier-mâchés of phonograph records, musical notes, and vintage microphones were the noteworthy pieces of “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko”’s float, along with a stereo blasting the hit Rey Valera song of the same name.
LOOK: Rey Valera’s hit song “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko” can be heard as the float of the MMFF film of the same name is the seventh one to make their way through energetic fans.
The film stars RK Bagatsing and Meg Imperial. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/ghbxtst7gE
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 2, 2023
The film’s stars, RK Bagatsing and Meg Imperial, were the shining stars of the float, as they hoped that the film would remind audiences of Valera’s music.
‘Unravel: A Swiss Side Love Story’
Float of “Unravel: A Swiss Side Love Story.” (Photo by HANNAH MALLORCA / INQUIRER.net)
The float of “Unravel: A Swiss Side Love Story” stayed true to its Switzerland-centered theme, where it followed the shape of a yellow double-decker bus, which is said to be one of the country’s most prominent modes of transport.
LOOK: The final Summer MMFF float is an ode to Switzerland, the setting of Gerald Anderson and Kylie Padilla’s film “Unravel: A Swiss Side Love of Story.”
Fans shouting Anderson and Padilla’s names were also evident, much to their delight. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/Lil5lApgaZ
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 2, 2023
Lead stars Gerald Anderson and Kylie Padilla were also welcomed with excited squeals from fans, where some even shouted their names at the top of their lungs.