Star power makes up for simple floats

The cast of “Boy Golden: Shoot-to-Kill” tossing goodies to the fans. Photo by Richard Reyes

MANILA, Philippines – For the many celebs who joined Sunday’s “Parade of Stars”—which opened this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF)—having an eye-catching float helps a lot in wooing fans into watching their entries.

“10,000 HOURS” lead star Robin Padilla is flanked by costars Mylene Dizon (left) and Carla Humphries. Photo by Richard Reyes

And so a few moments before the event’s scheduled 2 p.m. start, production designers and craftsmen alike remained busy at work, doing last-minute repairs and touch-ups to the floats of the eight competing films this year: “Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy,” “My Little Bossings,” “Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel,” “Boy Golden: Shoot-to-Kill,” “Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay,” “Pedro Calungsod, Batang Martir,” “10,000 Hours” and “Kaleidoscope World.”

Out of the eight floats, “Kimmy Dora’s” and “Boy Golden’s” easily stood out for their striking, intricately detailed designs that reflected the two movies’ themes.

“Kimmy Dora’s” metal wasteland of a float had moving parts; “Boy Golden’s” Chevy-1960s’ nightclub hybrid came complete with a bevy of leggy showgirls in glittery garb.

Jestoni Alarcon and Rocco Nacino on the float of “Pedro Calungsod, Batang Martir”. Photo by Richard Reyes

Although the other floats weren’t as eye-catching, the celebrities on them made up for this with sheer star power.

All hell broke loose on the Seaside Boulevard in Pasay City when “Bossing” Vic Sotto peeled off his shirt and showed off his ribs—er, muscles. And it didn’t hurt that the “My Little Bossings” float also had Kris Aquino and her son Bimby Yap and child sensation Ryzza Mae Dizon.

“Pagpag’s” Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo were a no-show at the outset of the parade, much to the disappointment of the hordes of giddy girls.

Cast of “Pagpag” led by Shaina Magdayao (left), Kathryn Bernardo (third from left) and Daniel Padilla (fourth from left). Photo by Richard Reyes

But such is the popularity of the KathNiel love team that their fans made do with cheering on the film’s initially empty float when it drove past them. Well, the young couple later turned up, to the delight of their fans.

“10,000 Hours’”  float was likewise a relatively nondescript creation. But charismatic lead star Robin Padilla climbed up, screaming and pumping his fists. The roused crowd hollered back, professing their love for the action star.

The winner of this year’s best float award will be announced on  December 27 at the MMFF awards night at Meralco Theater in Pasig City. At stake is a cash prize of P200,000.