A sudden summer rain started to fall at exactly 5 o'clock that Sunday afternoon, May 7, at precisely the magical moment when Gerard Pizzaras (Byron Gerard Cadungog in real life) and Jan Marini (Alano) were supposed to start exchanging vows before officiating minister, Pastor Ric Oasin. But the rain didn't dampen the couple's spirit and that of the wedding entourage and invited guests.
Soon, silver droplets hung like thousands of flickering lights from the trees surrounding the sprawling garden of the residence of special guest of honor Quezon City Rep. Sonny Belmonte (along E. Rodriguez Avenue, Quezon City) where the wedding was being solemnized, turning the brightly-decorated place into a romantic paradise.
It was a good thing the bride wasn't made up yet, so the ceremonies began one hour later, at around 6 o'clock, when the downpour slowed down into a slight drizzle, the sound of which beautifully blended with the strains of Ikaw, one of the couple's favorite songs sung throughout the hour-long rite.
When the exchange of vows was over, guests retreated indoors for the dinner, charging the rain to experience and considering it a sign of good luck -- showers from heaven, you know!
It wasn't a showbiz wedding, although there was a sprinkling of showbiz names in the roster of principal and secondary sponsors, including Princess Punzalan (as ninang), director Wenn Deramas (ninong), Jericho Rosales (veil sponsor), Jackie Forster as cord sponsor with the no-show Rico Yan.
The romance of Gerard and Jan blossomed under the klieg lights, both having started in showbiz as bona fide members of ABS-CBN Talent Center's Star Circle, a romance that developed in the movie firmament.
The couple is set for their honeymoon (place undisclosed).
And so, according to the wedding invitation, "They're no longer two, but one" (from Matthew 19:6).