Atienza advises motorists to skirt motorcade

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza advised motorists to skirt the motorcade routes to avoid getting caught in heavy traffic that will be caused by the city-wide motorcade of actors participating in this year’s Manila Film Festival.

Atienza said motorists should avoid the Luneta Park near Quirino Grandstand at around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the converging point of movie stars, who will participate in the motorcade that will start at around 1:30 p.m. With the parade, the mayor added that Filipino movie fans and residents of Manila would once again have the opportunity to see their favorite movie stars in person.

"We are inviting everyone, especially the movie fans to watch the mortorcade," said Atienza. The mayor will also participate in the motorcade, which is expected to draw many movie fans.

The motorcade will go north through Bonifacio Drive, Del Pan Bridge and Road 10, turn right on Moriones street, then left to Juan Luna street, right to Tayuman, left to Abad Santos, right to Rizal Avenue and left to Aurora Blvd. extension. From Aurora Blvd. extension, the parade will go straight to Dimasalang Bridge, then turn left at Gov. Forbes Avenue, straight to the Nagtahan Skyway and Nagtahan Bridge, right to Zamora street crossing Quirino Avenue, straight to Peñafrancia street. From Peñafrancia, the motorcade will proceed to Pedro Gil street then turn right to Onyx street, right to Diamante street, straight to San Andres, right to Dart Street, then left to Quirino Avenue, then go straight and end at Roxas Blvd.

Atienza said among the celebrities who will participate in the motorcade are

Ara Mina and Rudy Fernandez of the movie Diskarte, Rufa Mae Quinto, Marvin Agustin, Melanie Marquez and Troy Montero of the movie Super B Saves the Day and Sharon Cuneta, Judy Ann Santos, Christopher de Leon and Dingdong Dantes of the movie Magkapatid.

Also in the parade are Elizabeth Oropesa, Jenine Desiderio, Richard Quan and Allen Dizon of the movie Mama San; Joyce Jimenez, Piolo Pascual, Gloria Pascual, Gloria Romero and Luis Gonzales of I Think I’m In Love and Joel Torre, Jeffrey Quizon and Maricar de Mesa of Utang ni Tatang.

Atienza said the event is expected to be as successful as the Flores de Mayo with Stars held last May 31 on Quirino Avenue, which drew an estimated crowd of 50,000.