BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

As the celebrities took to the streets riding their respective floats for the first Summer Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), cheers from the onlookers can be heard.

Photo from Buzz Beat Media

The colorful floats of the ‘Parade of Stars’ held last April 2 traversed the route from Villa Beatriz, Commonwealth Avenue to the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

The excitement can be felt from the participating actors and actresses, as well as the films’ creatives, as many of them arrived on time for the 2 o’clock to 3 o’clock call time at the long tent set-up between the small stage and the parked floats. There were members of the media there as well as the MMDA personnel, led by the Acting Chairman Atty. Romando “Don” Artes. Some of the early birds are Gladys Reyes (Apag), Kylie Padilla and Gerald Anderson (Unravel), Romick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas (About Us but Not About Us), director RC delos Reyes (Unravel), and director Chris Martinez (Here Comes the Groom).

Photo from Buzz Beat Media

Gladys was happy as a Kapampangan that Apag showcases the culinary side of the province. “I was emotional because…siyempre…natouch ako dahil finally nakagawa na naman akong Kapampangan film na pwede ko pong idedicate sa aking mga cabalen [fellow Kapampangan],” she shared. The seasoned actress is also part of another Summer MMFF entry, Here Comes the Groom.

Maris Racal plays the daughter of Gladys in the abovementioned comedy film about body swapping. The former is very thankful to be part of the historic film festival. “I am very happy na part kami dito sa filmfest na ito kasi this is very…I guess…one for the books kasi first time siyang magkaroon ng Metro Manila Film Festival sa summer,” she exclaimed.

Photo from Buzz Beat Media

Carlo Aquino, Maris’ former onscreen partner, is the leading actor in Love You Long Time. “Sana maging successful yung filmfest, yung lahat ng pelikulang pumasok sa filmfest. Sobrang bonus kapag nakilala yung pelikula namin dahil alam naman namin na pinaghirapan namin ito,” said Carlo.

“There’s always a dynamic when you’re in a scene. Palaging bigayan yun eh. Hindi pwedeng ikaw lang mag-isa,” shared Romnick, who was interviewed alongside his co-star Elijah. 

The dialogue-heavy film with a minimalist setting is a strong bet for the Summer MMFF Awards, since About Us but Not About Us already competed in prestigious international film festivals.

Single Bells star Alex Gonzaga is her bubbly and energetic self as usual. It’s her first time to formally converse with the press after the controversy she got embroiled in. “Okay na ako. Thankful naman ako na meron kaming project dito and sana is magtuloy-tuloy na,” said Alex. She even joked about having “bilo-bilo” or Chinese tangyuan instead when a reporter asked her regarding her traumatic experience with a cake.

Photo from Buzz Beat Media

Aljur Abrenica, Alex’ co-star, is also a hot topic among showbiz pundits, after he admitted on an online talk show that he cheated on his ex-partner Kylie Padilla. This is his first time meeting the latter in a major event, that is why the video of Aljur helping up Kylie onstage during the mini-program prior to the parade, trended on Tiktok, Youtube, and othe rsocial media platforms.

“Hinahanap ko nga siya. Gusto ko siyang makita. Nanay pa rin siya ng mga anak ko,” said Aljur prior to their encounter onstage.

Unlike the original MMFF which happens every Christmas time, the Summer MMFF targets a younger audience, mostly comprized of the Gen Y (millennials) and Gen Z. “Optimistic tayo na maganda ang magiging resulta dahil maganda naman yung ipinakita sa box office ng ating Christmas or December MMFF,” said Atty. Don.

Photo from Buzz Beat Media

The 8 participating films in the Summer MMFF 2023 are: Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko; Apag; About Us but Not About Us; Here Comes the Groom; Unravel; Love You Long Time; Ang Libro sa Napanood Ko; and Single Bells. These can be watched in cinemas nationwide starting April 8.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Buzz Beat Media