Aga & Charlene: Promises to keep

Grandeur and controversy made the Aga Muhlach-Charlene Gonzalez nuptials the most talked about wedding in recent memory.

The madding crowd arrived in droves to see the spectacle that unfolded last May 28 at St. Joseph the Worker Church on Pacdal St. in Baguio City. In anticipation of the event, local officials saw it fit to re-route traffic. Even then, traffic began to build up hours before the 3 p.m. wedding.

The hefty price tag for the affair was certainly worth it. Charlene was radiant as she stepped out of the black Bentley used as the bridal car. Aga was dashing in his Armani suit that he himself bought in Italy. Before the wedding, Aga also gifted Charlene with a BMW sedan.

The altar was a dreamy sight, with white drapes billowing around it. A hush fell as Regine Velasquez began to render a song, followed by the crooning of Side A’s Joey Generoso. Lani Misalucha then delivered a stirring rendition of I Finally Found Someone. Husband and wife Robert Sena and Isay Alvarez, along with South Border, sang to the accompaniment of the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

I was moved to see Aga look lovingly into his bride’s eyes, and how Charlene smiled back tenderly. It made me want to close my eyes and freeze that moment of promised eternal love.

The couple shed tears after exchanging vows. This time it was no longer a scene from one of Aga’s romantic movies, but rather a true-to-life moment that didn’t end with closing credits scrolling up the big screen.

The reception was held at the exclusive clubhouse of Camp John Hay, where imported monochromatic flowers lined the staircase and livened up each of the tables.

Smaller replicas of the wedding cake, also made by Charlene’s mom Elvie Gonzalez, were given away as souvenirs to the wedding guests.

Scenes from Aga and Charlene’s childhood flashed on a giant screen, interspersed with bits of advice to the newlyweds from people closest to their hearts.

It was also a time to say thanks to all the people who helped shape the couple’s lives. Charlene gave a flower to each of the women who mattered most in her and Aga’s life. Particularly moving was the embrace of Ethel Ramos and Aga. There were tears of joy as manager and long-time talent acknowledged the importance of their roles in each other’s lives.

Before party time, where non-stop music and singing ensued, a beaming Aga announced: "We’re no longer two, but four."

Yes. Charlene is three months pregnant with two babies, and Aga couldn’t help but kiss his wife’s tummy (although the bulge was not yet noticeable) over and over.

Sigh, if only all married couples could stay this much in love for rest of their lives.