wedding reception program preview - mario lupato Video by augustinemusic and events - MySpace Video

wedding reception program preview - mario lupato Video by augustinemusic and events - MySpace Video

Mother of the Groom

It was around three months ago when Mrs. Alabado, the mother of the groom booked our coordination service and unknowingly the bride lives nearby our place but temporarily. And after a month they met Mel, head coordinator for fuller details together with the future groom and bride and the mother more intent with the discussion. Suggestions were given and the mother of the groom offered also her suggestions with the two young couple approving. The parents are the particular ones when it comes to affair like this. They want to fill potholes for perfection and try damn hard to make it so, if possible and we as the helping hand takes every note to make it come true.

I was really amazed with Mrs Alabado because she feels what’s best for the two. Her voice had a lilt while discussing this and that and very easy to be with. She felt comfortable with Mel whom she confided with the details and I was sure every angle was considered.

Every parent for that matter heeds the coming moment with delightful anticipation sometimes forgetting themselves and devote much time attending to the caprices of the couple whatever that maybe and if budget is no problem, easy does it. But I know every penny has its worth. I am sure spending this for that was thought of and a mother is particular about this matter. The momma knows best.

The special day leaves a mark that lingers. With a helping hand things get better and that’s what we are concerned for. And when they are satisfied, it seems glory for us having extended the sincerity of what we do best.

Joyous Moments With A Balikbayan From New York

To date this is the joyous reception I attended. And the couple really spent a fortune for this big day. The physical arrangements of the venue alone held at the Pavillon of Oasis was short of spectacular. There were white railings with the chandelier in the middle as the main focus making it like a harem of the modern world. Their motif was light royal blue and white transforming the place into elegance. There was an open bar with lots of cocktails and hard drinks were abundant. And they hired DJ Jeff to provide the house music and dancing after the program.

It was a privilege to host the reception program as their coordinator insisted me to do the honor. I did the standard flow and when the bouquet and garter ceremonies were in, the single ladies and guys wholeheartedly participated to find partners. Some came from the states and all of them participated and stayed until the program was over. Most had drinks making them more hilarious and uninhibited and really enjoying the party. I think everybody were free-spirited and felt their joy as they went on with the celebration.

I ended the program with glee helping me shout loud – “Mabuhay ang bagong kasal!”

And really most of the guests danced to their hearts’ delight.

La Vie En Rose

One of the most beautiful songs ever and I want to share it with you in it's original context.


Des yeux qui font baiser les miens,
Un rire qui se perd sur sa bouche,
Voila le portrait sans retouche
De l'homme auquel j'appartiens

Quand il me prend dans ses bras
Il me parle tout bas,
Je vois la vie en rose.

Il me dit des mots d'amour,
Des mots de tous les jours,
Et ca me fait quelque chose.

Il est entre dans mon coeur
Une part de bonheur
Dont je connais la cause.

C'est lui pour moi. Moi pour lui
Dans la vie,
Il me l'a dit, l'a jure pour la vie.

Et des que je l'apercois
Alors je sens en moi
Mon coeur qui bat

Des nuits d'amour a ne plus en finir
Un grand bonheur qui prend sa place
Des enuis des chagrins, des phases
Heureux, heureux a en mourir.

Quand il me prend dans ses bras
Il me parle tout bas,
Je vois la vie en rose.

Il me dit des mots d'amour,
Des mots de tous les jours,
Et ca me fait quelque chose.

Il est entre dans mon coeur
Une part de bonheur
Dont je connais la cause.

C'est toi pour moi. Moi pour toi
Dans la vie,
Il me l'a dit, l'a jure pour la vie.

Et des que je l'apercois
Alors je sens en moi
Mon coeur qui bat

Reception Splendor

It was a drizzling day from morning till late afternoon but the memory serving the couple was a delight from heart and another list of memories stored…

It was an early afternoon wedding at Our Lady of Lourdes Church but the air was cool around because of the light drizzles invading the exteriors of the church. It was 1:00 p.m. when the ceremony started and went well with our music added for flavor as always.

There were many guests who came and filled the venue at Villa de Oro. I was mesmerized with the splendor of the place with gold as main color around. It prompted me to take pictures. Half of the venue was intended for the principal sponsors, parents, members of the entourage and special guests.

The moment the couple entered, they danced with our music of “moon river” with fog effects invading the dance floor and bubbles that created a fairy tale come true. They had their second dance in the midst of the program but the father of the bride did the first honor and handed his daughter to the groom after a while with a guest serenading them with the song “hanggang.” The festivity took quite awhile but the enjoyment on their faces were etched and what more happiness but for the couple.

When the affair was done, the drizzles subsided ready for us to leave and another enjoyment from heart. When you love what you’re doing time flies very quickly.

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.

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.

love as music

Everything around us vibrates and a smile as you wake up extends a kind of vibration that makes a day. It is a kind of extension felt and that is love. And you will feel music deep inside you and that is very good. Even a silent tone spoken with sincerity is a form of music. It says, I care about you and again speaks volume. It's really amazing when you realize that all around you breathes and that is when you become more humane and that expands your value of life for life is pure love with the soft heart rending background music that makes the world go round, as the song goes.

We are exposed to music for that's what we do more often and adding flavor to a celebration gives us a certain euphoria. It tells us, you made someone very happy. And we shared love. Weddings are the fit moments where music plays a real role and the varied pieces performed especially the sacred music during the ceremony spells luster to the lives of the couple and that is love for we shared it. Especially when we see that they enjoyed our music, it makes us aware after all that music extends beyond.

There are varied kind of music that rings your ears but still love songs invade the air realizing after all that most of us are purely romantic. The choice of music also tells the kind of lover you are and there is no argument to this. The life you lead is another. It creates a certain melody as you go about your chores but still it envelopes your very being as you go along. All your movements reflect a kind of melody. The sincerest people always are visible when they are around for there is music in the air. When love is around, it's defined.

Lastly, when all the love is within you it's a guarantee that music fills your heart and soul, the most.

a special golden wedding music