Pasig River is this year's route as MMFF's Parade of Stars goes fluvial
As the quarantine restrictions eases in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority announced on Monday, Dec. 13, the resumption of the Parade of Stars as one of the highlights of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
But instead of the traditional motorcade, MMDA Chairman and concurrent MMFF chairperson Benhur Abalos said it would be done via a fluvial parade wherein ferry boats will serve as floats carrying celebrities of official movie entries in this year's film festival.
It is set on Sunday, Dec. 19 to mark the comeback at cinemas for the holidays.
“The fluvial parade will showcase the ferry service and at the same time encourage the public to ride the agency-operated Pasig River Ferry Service, an alternative transportation across Metro Manila,” said Abalos, explaining that the purpose is also to highlight the beauty of Pasig River.
“Through this fluvial parade, we hope to encourage the public to ride the ferry service which sails from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig to Intramuros in Manila. This alternative transportation is traffic-free and you’ll get to appreciate the beauty of the river and the arts along the riverbanks,” he added.
The parade will start from Guadalupe Ferry Station and will go straight eastbound to before C-5 Bagong Ilog Bridge. It will take a U-turn, stop at the Pasig City side, and then straight to Makati Circuit which will be the endpoint.
One lane along J.P Rizal from Guadalupe Ferry Station up to University of Makati will be utilized as drop-off point for MMFF guests and participants. No parking is allowed along the road.
Last year, the MMFF Parade of Stars was held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions.
For this year, Abalos said the MMFF will showcase a diverse line-up of eight movies, ranging from social drama, horror, action, suspense, romance, to comedy horror starting Christmas Day until January 8, 2022.
The MMFF is an annual event organized primarily to help promote and enhance the preservation, growth and development of local films.