MMFF to celebrate 100 years of PH cinema with ‘longest parade’

MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Film Festival (MMFF) will have the longest parade in its history this December to celebrate 100 years of Filipino cinema.

In a press conference at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) headquarters in Makati City, MMDA General Manager Arturo “Jojo” Garcia said the parade would cover a total distance of about 15.2 kilometers within its host city of Taguig and will last seven to eight hours.

“This will be the longest parade in terms of kilometers,” Garcia said.

The parade, he said, would be made up of eight floats based on the eight movies participating in this year’s festival.

“We are expecting na dudumugin po talaga ito ng tao (people to flock to this event),” he added

MMFF spokesperson Noel Ferrer said film stars participating in the parade have already been made aware of its extended length and duration and are ready to bring cheer to Filipinos.

The parade is set to begin at 1 p.m. on December 22 and its route would start from Lakeshore C-6 in Taguig City and would end at Le Grand Ave. and Chateau Road.

From Lakeshore C-6, the parade would turn right to M.L. Quezon Avenue, left turn to MRT Avenue, right turn to Cuasay, right turn to C.P. Garcia (C-5) through Pinagsama Service Road to Palar, left turn to upper Mckinley Road, right turn to Lawton Avenue, right turn to Mckinley Parkway, left turn to 32nd Street, left turn to 7th Avenue, right turn to 26th Street, Left Turn to 5th Avenue, and finally turn right to arrive at Le Grand Avenue and Chateau Road.

During the parade, several roads will be closed to traffic and this would include a stretch of M.L. Quezon Ave. (from Dr. A. Santos Avenue to MRT Avenue), along MRT Avenue (from M. L. Quezon to Cuasay), along Cuasay (from MRT Avenue to C-5), and in C-5 Service Road from Barangay Pinagsama to Palar.

To help mitigate the parade’s effect on road traffic, Garcia said counterflow vehicles will be allowed along Upper Mckinley Road from C-5 to Lawton Avenue, Lawton Avenue to 5th Street from Upper Mckinley to

Mckinley Parkway, and along 32nd Avenue (from Mckinley Parkway to 7th Avenue.)

The MMDA will also deploy a total of 1,250 personnel for the parade — 63 of which would be part of the Road Emergency Group on standby with ambulances and other equipment as first responders in case of emergencies.

“We released this early so people will be aware as much and as early as possible of the effect the parade will have on traffic,” Garcia said.

The MMDA, he said, will also work with personnel of the Philippine National Police to ensure peace and order during the parade.

Garcia also asked those who intend to take part in the parade as spectators to refrain from blocking its route.

Apart from holding its longest-ever parade, the MMFF 2019 will also hold the MMFF Hall of Fame Awards this year — a special event to recognize those most dedicated in the Filipino film industry.

The event, which would be held during the Gabi ng Parangal on December 27, would give out awards to those who have received three or more awards in the same category from past MMFFS. ■