MANILA, Philippines – This year’s Metro Manila Film Festival is the most star-studded in years, says Bayani Fernando, chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority which spearheads the annual movie industry event held in December.

Fernando called the 2009 MMFF, now in its 35th year, as “the blockbuster festival” because of the box-office stars who top-bill the eight entries.

Among the popular personalities with entries are Dolphy and Willie Revillame in “Juan;” Sharon Cuneta in “Mano Po 6;” Bong Revilla in “Panday;” Vic Sotto in “Ang Darling Kong Aswang;” and Manny Pacquiao in “Wapakman.”

Boxing champ Pacquiao’s leading lady in the science-fiction flick is Pussycat Dolls’ Nicole Schrezinger.

The other top draws with entries are Ruffa Gutierrez in “Shake, Rattle & Roll 11;” Kris Aquino in “Ikaw na Nga;” and Marian Rivera in “Nieves.”

Fernando said that, with this all-star lineup, the festival is expected to achieve the target of P500 million in box-office earnings for its beneficiaries: the Movie Workers’ Welfare Fund, Film Academy of the Philippines, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Optical Media Board, Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council; and the President’s Social Fund.

The film projects were selected based on criteria that put a premium on commercial viability, creativity and Filipino cultural values.