Fans celebrate Star Wars Day

MANILA, Philippines - R2D2, Darth Vader and the Stormtroopers trooped to The Plaza of Newport Mall at Resorts World in celebration of the Global Star Wars Day last May 3 and 4.

The event started with the 501st Parade around the Mall then followed with photo opportunity with the Star Wars characters and concluded with a turnover ceremony of charity donation for the needy children around the country. An exhibit of Star Wars memorabilia is in place at the ground floor lobby of Resorts World that will last until May 15.

Fans– children and adult alike joined the celebration and donning their best and favorite Star Wars characters. May the 4th kicked off a season of celebration, particularly since the month of May has always been important to Star Wars fans. The six live-action movies of the Star Wars saga debuted in May (starting with the original Star Wars on May 25th, 1977) and this year, principal photography on Star Wars: Episode VII will commence in May. The month also includes George Lucas’s birthday (May 14, 1944), and has been the traditional start date of the popular Star Wars Weekends at Walt Disney World Resort (this year, the fun begins on May 16th).

Spearheaded by the (Philippines’) 501st Legion, an international organization of Star Wars fans who dress up as the bad guys from a galaxy far, far away. Known as the Bad Guys Who Do Good, members of the 501st wear their costumes at events in order to raise funds for charity, especially children's causes. The 501st is represented locally by the 23 members of the Philippine Outpost.