The groom cried more than the bride
2015 Asia’s Got Talent second runner-up Gerphil Flores and Brad Libanan (of Taft, Eastern Samar) exchanged vows in the solemnity of the Manila Cathedral last July 21 while Manny Pacquiao was fighting Keith Thurman in Las Vegas
It happens most of, if not all the time — you know, the groom tearing up more than the bride does. Remember how Lloyd Lee cried more than Shamcey Supsup (now the parents of two) when they got married years back?
Last July 21, while Manny Pacquiao was trading punches with Keith Thurman in Las Vegas with the whole world watching, two hearts were beating as one in the solemnity of the Manila Cathedral witnessed only by close family, relatives and friends, aside from the well-chosen Principal/Secondary Sponsors.
The groom, Brad Libanan (from Taft, Eastern Samar), couldn’t hold back tears while the bride, Gerphil Flores, cried only a bit as they marched down the aisle while the Philippine Madrigal Singers sang their version of
Canon in D (also known as Pachelbel’s Canon). That was after Brad walked along to claim his bride near the altar, as the Cathedral played Trumpet
Voluntary by English baroque composer Jeremiah Clarke.
Being both very private, Brad and Gerphil decided to keep the wedding as solemn and as intimate as possible.
“It was everything that we wanted it to be,” Gerphil told The
STAR. “The wedding ceremony was ideal at the Manila Cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches in the Philippines. The reception was at the Conrad Hotel. Throughout the wedding, we wanted it to have a festive mood. The song choices at the reception were light and happy songs. After the wedding, we received comments from our guests saying that the reception had ‘good vibes’ which was what we were aiming for.”
Gerphil refrained from singing at the ceremony (“I would be nervous and I didn’t want to miss a beat,” she said), she did oblige with her version of Juan Karlos Labajo’s Buwan at the reception.
“It was impromptu,” noted Gerphil who was, as expected, at her best Asia’s Got Talent performance level. “One of our Ninangs suggested that I prepare a song just in case the audience requested for a number.”
The couple met 11 years ago at a concert organized by Brad’s father, then Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan Jr., in which Gerphil was among the guest performers.
“Brad’s father introduced us backstage. That was the first time Brad and I met, but we only started communicating after several months.” How will marriage affect your music? “Brad is fully aware of my passion for music and he is very supportive of my career. A lot of people asked if I was going to take a break from performing after getting married but that won’t be the case. Two days after my wedding, I had a show at the Music Museum and a few days after that, I flew to Singapore for another event. I love my job and I think now that I’m married, I’m even more inspired to work.”
A B.S. International Hospitality from Enderun Colleges, Brad is into the leather-crafting business.
Since the newly-weds are both busy, they have put their honeymoon on hold. And how soon do they plan to have a kid? “We don’t have any plans yet,” said Gerphil. “Maybe in two years.”
(E-mail reactions at rickylophilstar@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)