Star-studded games open Manila Filmfest

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza announced that the Manila Film Festival 2004 held as part of the city’s Araw ng Maynila celebrations will kick off with a Barrio Fiesta Star Challenge at 3 p.m. tomorrow at the southern portion of the Roxas Boulevard Baywalk.

Atienza said the six teams composed of stars of the festival’s official entries and councilors of their host districts will compete in traditional Filipino games such as hulihan ng biik, palo sebo, tuhugan ng singsing, basagan ng palayok and patintero.

"This event is open to the public, especially movie fans, so they can root for the teams of their favorite stars," Atienza says.

Stars are expected to join the competition. The six official entries are Anak Ka Ng Tatay Mo (drama) by Magsaysay Films, written by Lica Lazaro, Rey Salac and Ed Palmos, who is also directing the movie which stars Christopher de Leon, Albert Martinez, Snooky Serna and Ram Revilla; Kulimlim (horror) by Viva Films written by Roy Iglesias and directed by Maryo J. delos Reyes, starring Robin Padilla and Tanya Garcia; Mano Mano 3, Arnis…The Lost Art (action) by Rocketts Productions written and directed by Ronnie Ricketts, who also stars in the movie with Dinky Doo and Monsour del Rosario; Naglalayag (drama) of Angora Films written by Irma Dimaranan and directed by Mario J. delos Reyes, starring Nora Aunor, Yul Servo and Aleck Bovick; Sabel (drama) by Regal Films written by Ricky Lee and directed by Joel Lamangan, starring Judy Ann Santos, Wendell Ramos, Iza Calzado and Sunshine Dizon; and Volta (comedy) by Star Cinema written by Mel Mendoza and Artemio Abad and directed by Wenn Deramas, starring Ai Ai de las Alas and Jean Garcia.

The next event after the Barrio Fiesta Star Challenge is the premiere night on June 22. The premieres for Anak Ka Ng Tatay Mo, Kulimlim, Sabel and Volta at 5 p.m. are at SM Manila while that of Mano Mano 3 and Naglalayag is at 6 p.m. at Robinson’s Place Manila.

A citywide motorcade of stars in the six official entries onboard colorfully decorated floats will be held on June 23.

It will start at Adriatico St. in front of Century Park Hotel. A P50,000 prize awaits the Best Float.

The awards night is on June 28 at Aliw Theater.