Stars, VIPs attend MIFF ‘kick-off’

The cinema event was billed as ‘kick-off’ of the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF), held on Jan. 7, 1982 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), within the CCP Complex on Roxas Blvd.

Hollywood stars and international VIPs attended the ‘kick-off’ and the six-day (Jan. 14-19) showing of films all over the world.

From left: Peter O’Toole descends from plane, Franco Nero welcomed with sampaguita lei, Johnny Litton: MIFF directorgeneral

The international filmfest was the brainchild of then First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, assisted by Johnny Litton, director-general of the event.

Peter O’Toole, Franco Nero and Brooke Shields came.

And so did 10 film VIPs from all over the world. They received the Golden Eagle Awards at the Malacañang Palace, led by Jack Valenti of the American movie industry.

The others were Nagamasa of Japan, Franco Cristaldi of Italy, Danuel Toscan du Plantier of France, Sir Run Run Shaw and Raymond Chow of Hong Kong, Lord Lew Grade of England and Minister Huang Zhen of China. And two Filipinos, Atty. Manuel de Leon and Don Ernesto Rufino.

President Ferdinand Marcos and the First Lady Imelda Marcos bestow Golden Eagle on Jack Valenti

The late Oskee Salazar wrote in the New York-based magazine Funfare.

‘The foreign guests walked on the red carpet and bathed in a hectic calendar of activities befitting state visitors — a Malacañang luncheon, a grand scale barrio fiesta, cultural tours, private dinners and a ride with the First Lady in the presidential yacht to fabulous Puerto Azul in Cavite.’ — RKC