They’re playing their song

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."

From 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.