Makati City is rolling out the red carpet this Friday, December 19, as it plays host to the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Grand Parade of Stars. While the city prepares for a dazzling display of movie-themed floats and celebrity appearances, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced significant traffic adjustments to accommodate the festivities.
Traffic Scheme and Schedule
Starting at 12:01 PM and lasting until 10:00 PM, the MMDA will implement a stop-and-go scheme and temporary lane closures along the 8.4-kilometer parade route. Traffic will be paused intermittently to allow the motorcade to pass safely before resuming normal flow.
The affected major thoroughfares include:
- Macapagal Boulevard (Starting Point)
- Senator Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia)
- Ayala Avenue
- Makati Avenue
- JP Rizal Street
- AP Reyes Avenue
- Circuit Makati (End Point)
A “New Era” for Philippine Cinema
Under the theme “A New Era for Philippine Cinema,” this year’s parade aligns with the “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign, celebrating Filipino culture and the local film industry. MMDA Chairman Don Artes expressed his gratitude to Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay for the city’s “invaluable support” in hosting the event.
To ensure public safety and manage the expected influx of fans, the MMDA is deploying a 1,000-member task force. This team includes motorcycle units, road emergency groups, and clearing operations to maintain order from the Macapagal Blvd. assembly area to the grand finale at Circuit Makati.
Navigation Guide: Recommended Alternate Routes
Motorists are strongly advised to avoid the parade route and utilize the following detours:
From Macapagal Blvd / MOA / Cavite Area:
- Option 1: Turn left at Seaside Blvd, right at Diokno Blvd, proceed to Atang De la Rama St., right at Vicente Sotto St., left at Jalandoni St., and right at Pedro Bukaneg St.
- Option 2: From Diokno Blvd, turn right at Gil Puyat Ave. Extension, left at Jalandoni St., and right at Pedro Bukaneg St.
From EDSA / Makati Proper:
- Via J.P. Rizal: Use Rockwell to access Kalayaan Avenue (Note: Kalayaan will be converted to one-way traffic).
- Via A. Mabini: From J.P. Rizal Ave, take A. Mabini St., left at Zamora St., and right at Commando Bridge.
What to Expect at the Parade
The parade is expected to last approximately one hour and 40 minutes. Fans can look forward to:
- Celebrity Floats: Elaborately designed trailers representing each MMFF movie entry.
- Meet-and-Greets: Opportunities to see the country’s biggest stars up close along the route.
- Grand Post-Parade Program: The event concludes at Circuit Makati with live performances and an official program.
The MMFF continues its tradition of supporting the industry, with proceeds benefiting the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), the Film Academy of the Philippines, and other vital organizations.