MMDA releases alternate routes for MMFF's Parade of Stars on Dec. 16
Plan your travels for Saturday, Dec. 16 because the Parade of the Stars will be happening on that day.
Aside from the usual holiday rush, there may be potential traffic delays due to the Parade of Stars, the annual event marking the start of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that for the first time in MMFF history, the annual parade will pass through four cities: Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela (CAMANAVA).
The 49th MMFF parade will showcase floats carrying stars representing the 10 movies in this year’s movie lineup: A Family of 2 (A Mother and Son Story), (K)Ampon, Penduko, Rewind, Becky and Badette, Broken Heart’s Trip, Firefly, GomBurZa, Mallari, and “When I Met You in Tokyo.
With thousands of eager fans anticipated to line the streets, MMDA has encouraged motorists to avoid the designated routes.
"This year's parade of stars will traverse four cities as we want more people to have a glimpse of the casts of the 10 MMFF entries," said MMDA Acting Chairman and concurrent MMFF Overall Chairman Atty. Artes. "With the expected influx of spectators and movie fans, we have prepared a traffic management plan to mitigate the effects on vehicular flow."
The parade will begin at the Navotas Centennial Park at 2 p.m. and will head through C4, Samson Road, and McArthur Highway and end at Valenzuela People’s Park where the main event will take place.
It will run for 8.7 kilometers, with an estimated travel time of three hours.
To manage the traffic, the MMDA will implement temporary lane closures and counterflow from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. along the following roads:
- C-4 Road (from Navotas Centennial Park to A Mabini St.)
- Samson Road (from A. Mabini St. to Monumento Circle)
- Mc Arthur Highway (from Monumento Circle to C. Santos Street)
- Roads will be opened after all the floats have passed.
MMDA also said to expect heavy traffic along Samson Road, McArthur Highway, and perpendicular Roads. It also advised motorists to take the following alternate routes:
- From Malabon to Navotas, take Gov. Pascual and M. H. Del Pilar Street
- Motorists heading to Monumento may take Gov. I Santiago Road, M. H. Del Pilar Street, and Samson Road
- Motorists may also take North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) northbound and southbound
The 48th MMFF will officially open in theaters nationwide from December 25, 2023, until January 7, 2024.
