'FLORES DE MAYO' OF STARS USHERS IN MANILA FILMFEST
by Leah Salterio, Inquirer News Service, June 3, 2002
Crowd-drawers
MEGASTAR Sharon Cuneta was there and so was action superstar Rudy Fernandez. Rufa Mae Quinto was a hit with the crowd, and Joyce Jimenez and Ara Mina were also big head-turners.
If the big turnout of people along the stretch of Quirino Avenue from Roxas Boulevard to Nagtahan was any gauge, then this year's Manila Film Festival should be a success.
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| "MAGKAPATID"
Star Sharon Cuneta. |
People missed their favorite telenovelas, even skipped dinner to watch the two-hour parade.
As early as 5 p.m., a huge crowd had already filled both sides of Quirino Avenue, waiting to get a glimpse of the stars, who rode in beautifully adorned horse-drawn carriages.
To ensure safety and order, the parade route was cordoned off. Members of Matapat, an auxiliary force, were deployed along the entire stretch of Quirino Avenue.
The original route of the parade was only in the Malate area, on Adriatico, San Andres, M.H. del Pilar and Padre Faura streets. But the parade changed directions and passed Quirino Avenue all the way to Nagtahan.
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza led the three-kilometer procession with his wife, Evelina "Beng" Atienza, on board a pick-up.
The "Flores de Mayo" parade is meant to lure more people to the filmfest, which Mayor Atienza revived after a two-year hiatus.
Manila Councilor Kim Atienza, who helped organize the filmfest with his father, drove his trademark scooter and also supported the "Flores de Mayo."
Sharon stars in the Viva Films entry, "Magkapatid, with Judy Ann Santos.
Rudy and Ara Mina topbill Maverick Films' "Diskarte."
