Juilliard Graduate and Me

It was a wedding in Fernbrook few months ago and a privilege was given me by singing with a Juilliard Voice graduate as it came to my memory when I heard a Veteran Pilipino Soprano singing an old Tagalog classic, “Gaano Kita Kamahal,” the kundiman we sang during the wedding reception at The Victorian garden of Fernbrook. I was hesitant to do a duet with her but she insisted. I wrote the lyrics first to be sure I won’t forget because I haven’t sang the song for quite sometime. There were many guests during the reception and I surmised that most of them are music lovers, especially during the ceremony were solemn music were rendered and they were intent hearing with glances on our side. When the Lord’s Prayer was sung, there was momentary silence with only my voice heard. And when the Soprano’s turn came more silence with only her colloratura voice invaded the air. She did Ave Maria by Gounod with much expression being a trained singer and the ceremony really turned into an unusual one. Trained voices are rare these days and hearing such is balm to soul.

“Gaano Kita Kamahal” is a classic love song and always be there till the end of time. We Filipinos love music and appreciation is beyond compare setting us apart with regards performance because when we do, we do it with soul. Even Filipinos abroad know the song by heart and its popularity will endure. How I wish that Filipinos from other countries will treasure the music they had when they were in their native country.

The privilege was great that moment and it happened she just flew from the states to grace her nephew’s wedding and bliss was mine because she still treasures the beauty of our music.

Wedding At The Millenium

Supposedly, the ceremony starts at 4 pm but it was a bit delayed waiting for the bride. It was a Christian wedding and they rented the hall just for the ceremony and they had all the time in the world. Around 5 pm when it started. The hall was filled and the rest of the guests were standing at the back and others at the entrance hallway. The couple wanted a classical music for the procession and when it was time for her to walk the aisle “She” was sang as requested and when she reached the altar we faded out the song. The minister started with meaningful words and everybody listened.

During their vows the love theme from Cinema Paradiso was played very softly and after this a guest sang “Panunumpa,” an apt piece at that moment. When the ceremony was almost done there was a part where the principal sponsors has to sign the contract and another guest singer together with a guitarist performed “I Promised”. It is hymnal and modernly approached. Wonderful rendition. When they were done we did a second piece, “The Love I Found In You”. They really wanted these pieces and we were glad we did the best we could. And really, we prepared the music scores for the couple.

The reception started around an hour after the ceremony and the guests were not aware of the time gap because they were enjoying the place at Maynila Ballroom. If it is your first time to step in this place you will really appreciate the elegance around. The stage is elevated in a circular structure facing the stairway where the cake table is located along with the buffet area. There are no flooded lights but subdued ones making the whole place a romantic place to be.

The celebration was cleanly done and again this was another experience for us sharing the moment with two very special people. We were happy for both because they really enjoyed the night together with lots of guests who came who had much fill.

augustine music performs theme from true lies

Moment With The Most Beautiful Bride

It was their wedding and I arrived with my errand boy carrying the heavy keyboard to be used in the church because in Sanctuario de San Jose you have to bring your own keyboard equipment and what they provide is one microphone for all. We were the first ones and saw nobody yet and it was 3:15 p.m. and their wedding was set for 4:00 p.m. After 10 minutes guests kept coming in droves. Most of the guests were simple folks and heard many arrived from the province of Bataan who were dressed for comfort. And that is acceptable, anyway. And the couple understood because their mere presence was enough flavor to add for the celebration. Most of their relatives were present and enough for the couple to be joyous about.

It started on time and the priest who officiated the ceremony is their relative, if I am not mistaken. We played the canon in d as processional march and when the bride walked the aisles she opted for a compact disc of "Only Time" to be played and used my player. As she walked you were staring a queen. She was the most beautiful bride we saw for quite sometime. Her aura filled the air.

The homily was a touching one. The priest’s voice was so controlled that made us listen and every word was meant. Seldom could you hear an officiating priest unhurriedly doing his part. Haste makes waste, as the saying goes and the priest was an exemption. He knew how to pace his doings and the ceremony was a hit. A very good one, indeed. One of the best ceremonies I observed.

Then for the offertory we did the standard piece of Take and Receive as requested and for the communion we did Lead Me Lord. We could say we added solemnity to the occasion, especially when they exchanged their vows, we played a soft background music of Cinema Paradiso, one of the most touching music of all time.

When the ceremony was over, pictorial ensued and we did five music selections timely for the recessional march and did the famous, Four Seasons with a lilting touch

The reception was set at The Glass Garden a 30 minutes drive from the church. As usual we were in such a splendid place for the fifth time and we could still appreciate the place. It’s a place enclosed in a glass with plants on the sides and some mini waterfalls making it a tiny paradise. The place is not that huge and if I am right it could house 300 guests to the maximum.

The moment all guests were in after a short cocktail the program started. The program was okay with not much expectations only the sound system was not that perfect. Sometimes technical problems happen but minimal to say the least. There was much reverberation in the place and hardly could you understand what the person was saying. The sound man was not aware but things went well to say safely. At least, we did the very best we can. My last song was interrupted with on and off microphone and just to finish the song I sang without the microphone projecting my voice to a big place with lots of people around. Rather than stopping, I played safe. I was sure the guests understood that I was not to blame but still received some applause. And that made me cool.

After the program, most of the relatives stayed for some drinking spree. We stayed a bit for a couple of drinks after a sumptuous meal. Leaving the place gave us another euphoria having expressed our passion for music and did our share for the festivity.

A Trip To Remember

The wedding was scheduled for March 30, 2009 but the group left together with some friends and classmates of the groom, three make-up artists, four coordinators and four performers on March 29 at around 4:00 pm boarding Nelbusco for a special trip. Nelbusco only has one schedule trip a day and that is 7:30 pm because Madela City, somewhere in the Quirino Province is one of the farthest places north. By the way, the video men and photographers boarded on their own. We were 28 passengers and most of them are young. The groom is only 23 years old and getting married that young.

It took us 11 hours to reach the place at around 3:30 a.m. and were given accommodations. Villa Caridad Resort and Restaurant where we stayed is owned by the parents of the groom named after his mother, Caridad Barrientos. It’s simply heavenly place with 18 rooms, a big swimming pool, a wide reception area and around is their big plantation of corn and I heard bigger than expected. The groom, together with his parents are so humble being pure Ilocanos.
The one who attended our comforts when we arrived is Jerome, before I forget to mention. Even most of the errands he did his part and we thank him for that. I knew the couple could not find time for that.

I had only an hour sleep even I tried to force myself to. The same with the rest, I guessed but got more than an hour. I just laid with closed eyes and at 7:00 a.m. I took a needed bath, ironed my clothes and at 8:00 a.m. we were asked for breakfast and so woke the rest of us. We were done past 9:00 a.m. and we prepared the things needed for the church ceremony at 2:00 p.m. We left Villa Caridad to The Church of God for the ceremony. We were ahead because we had to see to it that everything in place being the coordinators. We were the first to arrive. Checked the sound system, arranged chairs for the parents and principal sponsors and prepared a place for the choir and the trio. The place is solemn as a whole with soil red as draperies giving it a feel of peace and gaiety. The ceremony started a bit late and ended around 5:00 p.m. The ceremony was a real solemn one. And the pastor did his very best. A rare kind, indeed. The first of a kind we witnessed. Best because he was not hurried. He had all the time in the world, so to speak.

Then to the reception. Surprise upon surprises almost all folks from madela came. The city dwellers occupied the tent area below and relatives, friends, principal sponsors, parents and special guests occupied the main ballroom in the second floor adorned with gold and brown, a wonderful combination giving it a rare look. If my count serves me right, more than a thousand guests were present in the tent area while the main venue had around 500 guests or more because the inner room was occupied, too.

And the food. Lots of lobsters and fish and the usual menu for a reception. It was really a grand celebration. For sure their guests enjoyed the feast and the couple’s friends and relatives I know enjoyed the program because they took part of the activities. We did our part the best we can but the best part was being with a real family, the Barrientos and Gannaban’s.