Daily Tribune
STARRY, starry day Crowds gather to support their favorite celebrities in the 51st Manila Film Festival’s Parade of the Stars that traversed Makati and Pasay cities on 19 December. Among this year’s MMFF eight films are socially grounded stories including ‘Unmarry,’ a story about a couple dealing with their marriage’s dissolution or annulment.
Photograph by Toto Lozano for DAILY TRIBUNE
The festive countdown to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025 officially began as the annual Parade of Stars transformed major thoroughfares in Pasay and Makati into a moving spectacle of color, music, and movie magic on 19 December. Long before the floats rolled out, film fans had already lined the route, eager to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars and the stories set to dominate the holiday box office.
The motorcade set off in the early afternoon from Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City, embarking on an expansive 8.4-kilometer journey that snaked through key streets before culminating in Makati. Designed as a grand showcase of the festival’s official entries, the parade lasted nearly two hours, giving crowds ample time to cheer, wave, and celebrate the return of MMFF’s signature pageantry.
Taking center stage were the lead actors and creative teams behind this year’s eight competing films: Call Me Mother, Rekonek, Manila’s Finest, Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins, I’m Perfect, Love You So Bad, UnMarry, and Bar Boys: After School. Each float reflected the spirit of its film, turning the procession into a preview reel of the diverse genres — drama, comedy, romance, action, and horror — that define the MMFF tradition.
To ensure a smooth flow of festivities, authorities implemented traffic rerouting and partial lane closures along the parade corridor throughout the day. Motorists were advised to avoid the route as a stop-and-go traffic scheme was enforced. Security and crowd management were heightened, with hundreds of personnel from law enforcement and traffic agencies deployed to maintain order and assist spectators along the streets.
The celebration did not end with the final float. As evening fell, the energy shifted to Circuit Makati Open Park, where a post-parade music festival kept the momentum alive. The open-air stage came alive with performances and appearances from a dynamic mix of artists and personalities, including River Joseph, Brent Manalo, Mika Salamanca, Bamboo, Angeline Quinto, BGYO, Enchong Dee, Jervi Wrightson — better known as KaladKaren — JhaiHo, and Eisel Serrano, turning the venue into a concert-like extension of the MMFF festivities.
With the Parade of Stars successfully setting the tone, attention now turns to the festival’s more formal highlight. The Gabi ng Parangal, where the year’s top performances and productions will be honored, is scheduled for 27 December at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati. Nominees across major categories will be revealed earlier that day, building anticipation for the awards night. The selection process is overseen by a committee led by respected actress and industry veteran Boots Anson-Rodrigo.
From bustling streets to a night of music and an upcoming awards ceremony, MMFF 2025 has once again proven that Filipino cinema is not just watched — it is celebrated, loudly and proudly, by the people it represents.
