MMDA: Expect heavy traffic for MMFF 'Parade of Stars'

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has advised motorists to expect heavy traffic flow around the Roxas Boulevard area with the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) parade of floats.

In an advisory, the MMDA said this year’s MMFF “Parade of Stars” kicks-off at 1 p.m. with the floats carrying the actors of the eight films competing in the festival, making their way from the Coral Way (near the SM Arena in Pasay City), right to J.W. Diokno Street, to EDSA Extension, to Roxas Boulevard (southbound). On reaching EDSA, the parade goes left to South Road and then goes right to Independence Road to the Quirino Grandstand.

The MMDA added that Roxas Boulevard (southbound) from EDSA Extension to South Drive would be closed to vehicular traffic at 3 p.m. 

According to the MMDA, vehicles affected by the closure of the Roxas Boulevard portion would be diverted to either P. Burgos Street or TM Kalaw Street.

The MMFF is the 41st edition of the annual film fest that is held in Metro Manila and is organized by the MMDA.

During the festival, no foreign films are shown in Philippine cinemas in order to showcase locally produced films. The “Parade of Stars” signals the start of the festival. Showing of the festival entries start on Christmas Day and ends on Jan. 7, 2016.

This is also the first MMFF edition, under the current organizing committee and MMDA chairman Emerson Carlos, after his predecessor Francis Tolentino resigned from his post in October 2015, to give way to his senatorial bid in the 2016 elections.

For this year’s MMFF, the organizing committee has accepted eight films from a field of 21 entries.

The official entries are: “All You Need is Pag-ibig,” “Beauty and the Beastie,” “Buy Now, Die Later,” “Haunted Mansion,” “Honor Thy Father,” “My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore,” “Nilalang” and “Walang Forever.”