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Parade of stars MMFF 2023 motorcade | Image: Jessica Ann Evangelista, INQUIRER.net
The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) marked a series of firsts for its 49th edition as it expanded its entries to 10 and now held the biggest MMFF Parade of Stars after passing through four cities: Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela on Dec. 16.
Thousands of fans flooded the streets to witness the parade and cheer movie actors on board their eye-catching floats as they promoted their respective MMFF films. The three-hour, 8.7-kilometer grand motorcade commenced at Navotas Centennial Park and ended at Valenzuela People’s Park for the main event.
Carrying their respective lead stars, each film entry showcased their distinctive creativity and gave a glimpse of what their movie was about by the look of their floats. Beginning with GMA Pictures’ “Firefly,” a garden-inspired float with a giant book that emphasizes the fairytale of a story told through the lens of a child, headlining the float were Alessandra de Rossi, Max Collins, Ysabel Ortega, Miguel Tanfelix, Yayo Aguila, and Euwenn Mikaell.
Alessandra de Rossi, Max Collins, Ysabel Ortega, Miguel Tanfelix, Yayo Aguila, and Euwenn Mikaell on board the “Firefly” float | Image: Jessica Ann Evangelista, INQUIRER.net
The second float, “When I Met You in Tokyo,” took the people to the beauty of Japan with its cherry blossoms and lantern motif. Veteran actor Christopher de Leon and love team “CassRen” Cassy Legaspi and Darren Espanto spearheaded the land of the rising sun-inspired float.
Christopher de Leon, Cassy Legaspi and Darren Espanto spearheaded their “When I Met You in Tokyo” float | Image: Jessica Ann Evangelista, INQUIRER.net
Real-life couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, alongside Joross Gamboa, Ina Faleo, and Via Antonio, graced this year’s grand parade as they boarded their clock-based float for their film entry “Rewind.”
Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Joross Gamboa, Ina Faleo, and Via Antonio boarded their clock-based float for “Rewind.” | Image: Jessica Ann Evangelista, INQUIRER.net
Bringing back the glory of the lost street art, “Broken Hearts Trip” rainbowed float showed off a hand-painted canvas of its cast members. Leading their float were Christian Bables, Teejay Marquez, and Iyah Mina, among others.
“Broken Hearts Trip” rainbowed float showed off a hand-painted canvas of its cast members | Image: Jessica Ann Evangelista, INQUIRER.net
The dark-themed float of “Mallari” displayed images of their movie scenes; its cast, Piolo Pascual, Janella Salvador, JC Santos, Elisse Joson, and Gloria Diaz, assembled to head their float.
The dark-themed float of “Mallari” displayed images of their movie scenes; Janella Salvador and Elisse Joson assembled to head their float. | Image: Jessica Ann Evangelista, INQUIRER.net
“Penduko,” a tribal-inspired float with bones and skulls to complete the look, saw Matteo Guidicelli, Kylie Verzosa, and John Arcilla waving to hundreds of fans on the streets.
“Penduko,” a tribal-inspired float with Matteo Guidicelli, Kylie Verzosa, and John Arcilla waving to onlookers. | Image: Jessica Ann Evangelista, INQUIRER.net
Featuring a historical era, “GomBurZa” decorated its float with cannons, Spanish colonial letters, a church tower, and a front banner that read, “Buhayin ang alab sa Puso,” with cast members Enchong Dee, Elijah Canlas, and Cedrick Juan joining this year’s motorcade.
Decorated with cannons, Spanish colonial letters, a church tower, cast members Enchong Dee, Elijah Canlas, and Cedrick Juan joined this year’s motorcade for “GomBurZa” | Image: Jessica Ann Evangelista, INQUIRER.net
Almost similar to one of the previous floats, “A Family of Two” flaunted its movie scenes all over its float, with lead stars Alden Richards, Sharon Cuneta, and Miles Ocampo joining forces to greet the onlookers.
“A Family of Two” flaunted its movie scenes all over its float, with lead stars Alden Richards, Sharon Cuneta, and Miles Ocampo greeting the fans. | Image: Jessica Ann Evangelista, INQUIRER.net
Uniting to promote their entry, “Kampon” ensemble Beauty Gonzales, Zeinab Harake, and Derek Ramsay were on board their float as it displayed a giant head of a girl and a huge carousel at the back.
“Kampon” ensemble Beauty Gonzales and Zeinab Harake headlined their uncanny float | Image: Jessica Ann Evangelista, INQUIRER.net
Completing this year’s clever, artistic parade was Eugene Domingo, Pokwang, and Romnick Sarmenta’s “Becky and Badette” vibrant themed float, displaying candies, clouds, and balloons that made it so appealing to onlookers.
Eugene Domingo, Pokwang, and Romnick Sarmenta’s “Becky and Badette” vibrant themed float, displayed candies, clouds, and balloons. | Image: Jessica Ann Evangelista, INQUIRER.net
After the procession of floats, some of the movie actors, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Ysabel Ortega, Christopher de Leon, Cassy Legaspi, and Alden Richards charmed and entertained fans at the Valenzuela People’s Park as they serenaded them with a song and dance number.
Parade of Stars main program at Valenzuela People’s Park | Image: Jessica Ann Evangelista, INQUIRER.net
The MMFF 2023 will run from December 25 to January 7, 2024, in all cinemas nationwide.