Post by TinPost by LaraAny reports on how it went?
Haven't heard anything about it...
Ah, here we go. =)
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/News200505111704.htm
With a pic of the newlyweds. =)
They're playing their song
By Leah C. Salterio
The Philippine Star 05/11/2005
The bride cried as she walked down the aisle, radiant in her Maria
Clara-inspired gown by JC Buendia. It was a tearful march to the altar,
but obviously, they were tears of joy. After all, she is marrying her
"best friend, the one I laugh with, live for and love," like what it
says in their one-page wedding invitation.
The groom, meanwhile, stood and waited with bated breath at the altar
as the strains of the bridal march played by the orchestra filled the
cavernous church. He added his personal musical arrangement to every
piece that was played throughout the ceremony.
Musical director Gerard Salonga and violinist DJ Francisco sealed their
five-year romance at the altar when they exchanged marriage vows in a
traditional wedding ceremony last Sunday night at Santuario de San
Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati.
"Thank God, this was one wedding without showbiz fanfare," noted a male
guest. There wasn't a crowd of star-crazy fans rubbernecking outside
just to get a glimpse of the celebrities and turning the event a
circus. In fact, the entourage was devoid of celebrities, except Lea
Salonga who, as everyone knows, is the elder sister of the groom.
There were no TV cameras and photographers inching their way to the
couple to document the event. It was a very solemn and private affair,
with only the closest friends, family and relatives of the couple in
attendance. The nuptial rites were celebrated by Fr. Manoling
Francisco, with Fr. Johnny Go as co-celebrant. The Philippine Madrigal
Singers sang during the ceremony.
Principal sponsors were Philippine Star publisher Max Soliven and
Aurora Silayan-Go, Antonio Salonga and Aida Regala-Siu, Charles
Rapaport and Carmelita Mata, Arnel Garcia and Divina Perez-Lazo,
Basilio Manalo and Marlene Aviguetero.
Lea stood as the groom's honor attendant, while DJ's sister,
Dorothy Jean Francisco-Pop and Mary Grace Martinez were the bride's
honor attendants. Groomsmen were Cesar Aguas, James Samson, Jorge San
Jose and Emil Salud. Bridesmaids were Ma. Socorro Cruz, Michelle Ann
Magadia, Hildegard Perez and Sheila Salonga.
Secondary sponsors were Giancarlo Torres and Agens Manalo (Candle),
Romeo Pacana and Melchora Regina Medina (veil) and Roberto Maria
Guerrero and Joana Leticia Nasser (cord). Ring bearer was Julian Renee
Borlaza, coin bearer was Mark David Francisco, Bible bearer was Dan
Ernesto Perez. Flower girls were Monica Janette Abesamis, Ma. Katrina
Luisa Obtinario and Zsa Zsa Plata.
For the bridal gown, Buendia created a modernized Maria Clara in ecru
and piña cloth from Aklan. Vintage brooches clasped the pañuelo on
the side. Buendia also did the pastel gowns of the entourage in powder
blue and butter yellow, as well as the groom's barong tagalog and
that of the groomsmen. Bridal shoes were by Lila Almario. Hair by
Celeste Tuviera and make-up is by Juan Sarte III.
Lea, meanwhile, wore a powder blue gown in lace by Rajo Laurel, while
her mom, Ligaya, looked regal in an Inno Sotto creation.
Sharing a common love of music, Gerard and DJ met in 1996 during
Lea's concert at the PICC. Back then, however, there weren't any
bells that led to a budding romance as both were reeling from their
respective broken relationships. In 2000, they worked together in
Lea's musical, They're Playing Our Song, at the AFP Theater - he
as the musical director/conductor and she as one of the violinists in
the orchestra. Since then, the two were already inseparable.
Gerard proposed marriage to DJ in December 2003 during their trip to
California Disneyland. This happened a few weeks before Lea also walked
down the aisle to marry Robert Chien on Jan. 10, 2004 in Los Angeles.
The caboodle of Winnie the Pooh - with Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet -
amusingly witnessed Gerard's proposal which was documented on video
that was shown to the guests at the reception.
Gerard and DJ both turned emotional as they took their vows in tears.
"Sana magkaroon tayo ng maraming anak," Gerard told his blushing bride.
In turn, DJ said to Gerard, "You're the best thing that happened to
me. You made me a better person."
At the end of the ceremony, Fr. Manoling formally introduced the
newlyweds to the public and a hearty applause broke as Gerard and DJ
faced the wedding guests inside the church. Seen cheering at the right
side of the altar was Lea, who was obviously very happy for her younger
brother.
"May you have a wonderful marriage with plenty of musically inclined
children," Lea told the newly married couple during the reception.
Then, to DJ, she smilingly warned, "You better take care of my kid
brother as I tried to take care of him. Now, I pass on that job to
you."
Post by TinFrom the church, guests made their way to Le Pavillon along Roxas
Boulevard for cocktails and the formal dinner reception. The venue was
spruced up for the affair, simple yet elegant, nothing lavish nor
ostentatious. The staff at the reception, however, was rather
inefficient, repeatedly apologizing to people whose names they
couldn't find on the list of table seating arrangement, thus creating
confusion among the guests. "Sorry, we don't have the master list,"
said a male attendant.
The sumptuous wedding banquet prepared by Via Mare, consisted of
kare-kare, grilled fish and lumpiang ubod among many others, plus an
assortment of desserts that included Via Mare bestsellers like
puto-bumbong, bibingka and the sinful halo-halo with ice cream. Penk
Ching of Pastry Bin did the white fondant cake of a grand piano with a
violin on top that served as the eye-catching centerpiece of the dinner
venue.
RJ Ledesma (yes, the erstwhile Royal Tru-Orange kid who now hosts
Men's Room on Studio 23 with Tim Tayag), who is a good friend of
Gerard's, hosted a short but amusing game of trivia questions about
the couple. RJ displayed his brilliant hosting skills, albeit only
briefly, which proved to be really entertaining for the guests. Lyn
Sherman later serenaded the newlyweds who performed the traditional
first dance.
Lea, after giving her best wishes and a short speech for Gerard and DJ,
modestly stayed away from the limelight and quietly sat beside her
boyish-looking hubby, Robert Chien, throughout the night. Other guests
included Irene Marcos-Araneta, Martin Nievera, musical directors Archie
Castillo and Marvin Querido, Sony-BMG Records executives Rudy Tee and
Narciso Chan, among many others.
Gerard and DJ will honeymoon in Amanpulo.