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.

augustine music performs theme from true lies