The stars of the Metro Manila Film Festival 2024 entries gathered at the Kartilya ng Katipunan at Padre Burgos Street in Manila, as the Parade of Stars was about to commence. Image: Facebook/MMFF
It was a historic feat for the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) as some of the country’s biggest names gathered at the Parade of Stars to promote their respective entries and push for the growth of the local film industry.
The Parade of Stars took place at a 12-kilometer route in Manila on Saturday, December 21, with the stars greeting fans while perched on the floats showcasing a glimpse of the entries’ respective storylines.
Decked in gold and dark blue, the float of “The Kingdom” starring Vic Sotto, Piolo Pascual, Sue Ramirez, Cristine Reyes, and Sid Lucero was the first to traverse the parade’s route. The float resembles the palace of Sotto, Ramirez, Reyes, and Lucero’s characters, giving fans a glimpse of the Kingdom of Malaya, complete with a golden crown, a throne, and the flags of its fictional setting.
The float of “The Kingdom” starring Vic Sotto, Piolo Pascual, Sue Ramirez, Cristine Reyes, and Sid Lucero. Image: Facebook/MQuest Ventures
Vic Sotto of “The Kingdom” during the Parade of Stars at the Kartilya ng Katipunan in Manila on Dec. 21, 2024. Image: Arnel Tacson, INQUIRER.net
With its golden color and papier-mâché guns and other weapons, “Topakk’s” float is an ode to the film’s gloomy, warehouse-esque setting where Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes, Kokoy de Santos, and Lucero’s characters will constantly be at war. As soon as night fell, the float’s centerpiece was lit up with an orange light resembling a fire.
The float of “Topakk” starring Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes, and Enchong Dee. Image: Facebook/Nathan Studios Inc.
The float of “Topakk” starring Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes, and Enchong Dee. Image: Facebook/Nathan Studios Inc.
“Uninvited’s” float was reminiscent of a Greek palace which somehow resembles the position of Aga Muhlach’s character in society, as the actor was one of the celebrities who stood in the middle. It also features curved patterns and figures resembling mythical horses.
The float of “Uninvited” starring Vilma Santos, Aga Muhlach, and Nadine Lustre. Image: Facebook/MMFF
“Uninvited” stars Vilma Santos-Recto, Nadine Lustre, Aga Muhlach, and Tirso Cruz III during the MMFF Parade of Stars in Manila on Dec. 21, 2024. Image: Arnel Tacson/INQUIRER.net
Elsa (Aicelle Santos) constantly in prayer was the highlight of “Isang Himala’s” float, with the figure of praying hands as the pièce de résistance. Also perched on the float was a banner saying, “Elsa loves you,” showcasing how the citizens of Cupang relied on Santos’ character as a source of miracles.
The float of “Isang Himala” starring Aicelle Santos and Bituin Escalante. Image: Facebook/MMFF
The float of “Isang Himala” starring Aicelle Santos and Bituin Escalante. Image: Facebook/CreaZion Studios
The float of “Hold Me Close” was an ode to Japan with pink and yellow flowers adorning the vehicle and a makeshift Japanese palace was placed within the driver’s seat. The film revolves around Woody (Carlo Aquino) who meets Lynlyn (Julia Barretto) in Japan, who can discover what lies in a person’s soul through touch.
The float of “Hold Me Close” starring Julia Barretto and Carlo Aquino. Image: Facebook/MMFF
The float of “Hold Me Close” starring Julia Barretto and Carlo Aquino. Image: Facebook/VIVA Films
A makeshift family home-inspired float featuring ornate light fixtures and scarecrows show a glimpse of the story of “Espantaho” which tells the story of Monet (Judy Ann Santos) discovering the dark secrets of her late father Pabling, which haunt her family’s ancestral home. All because of a scarecrow (or espantaho in Filipino), Monet finds herself being undermined by supernatural beings.
The float of “Espantaho” starring Judy Ann Santos and Lorna Tolentino Image: Facebook/Quantum Films
“Espantaho” stars JC Santos, Donna Cariaga, Mon Confiado, Lorna Tolentino, Judy Santos-Agoncillo, and Chanda Romero during the Parade of Stars in Manila on Dec. 21, 2024. Image: Arnel Tacson/INQUIRER.net
The float of Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin’s “My Future You” takes fans on a dreamy ride, as the float is decked out with pastel balloons resembling clouds and pink sequins. Also seen was the arch lined with pink and purple flowers, which would play a role in the love story of Karen (Diaz) and Lex (Fedelin).
The float of “My Future You” starring Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin. Image: Facebook/Regal Entertainment Inc.
The float of “My Future You” starring Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin. Image: Facebook/Regal Entertainment Inc.
Pink is the central color of “And the Breadwinner Is…” which gives a hint to Bambi Salvador’s personality (Vice Ganda), who does his best to maintain a rosy personality despite struggling to be the sole breadwinner for his family. Aside from Vice Ganda, also spotted were Eugene Domingo, Gladys Reyes, Jhong Hilario, and Kokoy de Santos.
The float of “And the Breadwinner Is…” starring Vice Ganda and Eugene Domingo. Image: Facebook/MMFF
“And the Breadwinner Is…” stars Jhong Hilario, Via Antonio, Eugene Domingo, Vice Ganda, Petite, Kokoy de Santon, and Gladys Reyes during the Parade of Stars. Image: Arnel Tacson/INQUIRER.net
The float of “Green Bones” was filled with different shades of green, and it also included makeshift handcuffs, a lighthouse, and a tree. The handcuffs and lighthouse were an ode to Domingo Zamora’s (Dennis Trillo) story, while the tree is used to showcase the film’s “Tree of Hope” which plays a crucial role in its storyline.
The float of “Green Bones” starring Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid. Image: Facebook/GMA Pictures
Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid of “Green Bones,” together with director Zig Dulay, during the Parade of Stars. Image: Arnel Tacson/INQUIRER.net
Lined with vines, the float of “Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital” was reminiscent of a haunted house, complete with the intentional use of light shining solely on Enrique Gil, Jane De Leon, MJ Lastimosa, and Rob Gomez. Also seen was the use of rails that were inspired by a Taiwanese temple, an ode to its setting.