CALL it coincidence pero magkasunod na araw lamang ang kaarawan nina Karylle (March 22) at Markki Stroem (March 21) kaya maituturing na advance birthday gift sa dalawa ang pagkakapili sa kanila ng Broadway International Group and Broadway Asia para gumanap sa lead characters as Baroness Elsa von Schraeder (Karylle) and Rolf (for Markki) in one of the most loved musicals of all time, ang “The Sound of Music”.

The two will be joined by an international cast which will have its Manila leg on March 7 to 26 sa Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati.

Naging teary-eyed ang dalawa when they learned na sila ang napili to lead the touring cast ng “The Sound of Music,” the story of the von Trapp Family Singers na unang ginawa sa pelikula in 1965 at tinampukan nina Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer and Eleanor Parker together with Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Charmian Carr based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers”.

The musical features music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Richard Oscar Hammerstein habang ang libro ay sinulat ni Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse.

Dahil sa rehearsals requirements, pansamantalang nag-leave of absence ang singer, actress at host na si Karylle sa “It’s Showime” para mapaghandaan nang husto ang kanyang most coveted role. Gayundin si Markki sa kanyang radio talk show program sa Monster Radio RX-93.1 maging sa kanyang fitness show, ang “Fitness Tips for Lazy Peeps” on CSTV every Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Isang malaking pasasalamat para kina Aila at John

GUSTO naming kunin ang pagkakataon at espasyong ito para pasalamatan ang maraming taong nagging bahagi ng matagumpay na pag-iisang dibdib ng kaisa-isa kong anak na si Aila Marie Amoyo Reyes at Emmanuel John Cristobal na nangyari last Saturday, February 18, ika-4 ng hapon sa Santuario de San Jose in Greenhills, Mandaluyong City which was officiated by Msgr. Rigoberto de Guzman.

Although hindi nakarating ang ilang principal sponsors dahil sa iba’t ibang kadahilanan, gusto naming pasalamatan ang presence nina former President and now Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at successful businessman and former politician Luis `Chavit’ C. Singson together with former Senate President Vicente `Tito’ Sotto who was represented by his only son, Quezon City Vice-Mayor Gian Sotto and Sen. Loren Lagarda (represented by Ms. Fine Tallada), celebrity couple Sen. Ramon `Bong’ Revilla, Jr. and Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla, former ABS-CBN’s president and CEO, award-winning actress, host and entrepreneur Charo Santos-Concio, OctoArts big boss Orly Ilacad, beauty pageant organizer and beauty guru Cory Quirino, Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, Eastern Samar Rep. Maria Fe Abunda, celebrity TV personalities and entrepreneurs Julius Babao and Christine `Tintin’ Babao, OPM icons and TV host couple Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez were represented by Ogie’s elder brother and sister Tony and Agnes Alcasid, celebrity couple and owner of Doc Rob’s Chiropractic Clinic and wellness advocates Doc Rob Walcher and Patricia Javier, Seiko Films producer and businessman Robbie Tan and wife Shirley, award-winning actress Lorna Tolentino, businessmen Dioceldo Sy and Marlene Liao of Antique, Beautederm presidend-CEO Rhea Anicoche-Tan, Dr. Ramon Villarama (with actress Snooky Serna in tow), US Immigration lawyer Jemela Nettles, IPS (Japan) president and CEO Koji Miyashita, couple Ben Kho and actress Liz Alindogan; businessman Joseph `Jos’ de la Luna of Nutri-Tech, retired bank executive Leo Montes, businesswoman Cristina Castillo-Decena, businessman Louie Razon Gamboa, CPA and successful businesswoman Florita Santos, Jerry Ocampo and entrepreneur Bebot Santos of Korolete Clothing who all showed up at the church wedding ceremony.

Would also like to thank the secondary sponsors of the couple – David Cyril de Guzman (Best Man), Ana Margarita UyDagatan (Maid of Honor), Don Myron Espiritu, Sr. (Groomsman) and Christine Joy Flores (Bridesmaid), Thomas Philip C. Quino and Ana Erika Christinna Aquino (Candle), Ralph Millo and Khrizia Kriziabel Sarmiento (Veil), Paolo Galvez and Atty. Pia Lea Andrea Azaron (Cord), Don Myron Espiritu, Jr. (Ring Bearer), Denise Kate Esperas (Bible Bearer), Railey Jae Winter Ignacio (Coin Bearer) and Camilla Celestine Millo (Flower Girl), the respective families and friends of the newly-weds, guests and hosts – singer, actress-comedienne and entrepreneur Marissa Sanchez and actor, host and dancer JojoAlejar.

All the guest performers wowed not only the new couple but everyone inside the ballroom of New World Hotel headed by Japan-based Filipina superstar Marlene de la Pena, Asia’s Diva and belter Dulce, who despite what she’s going through right now in her personal life came and gave her all in her performance, OPM great Rey Valera, Smokey Mountains originals Geneva Cruz and Jeffrey Hidalgo, singers-actors brothers Rey `PJ’ and Jojo Abellana, former matinee idol, singer and painter Jao Mapa and 2019 Miss Earth Philippines, actress Janelle Tee. Thank you also to the amazing 3rd Avenue Band.

Our media friends, Mario Dumaual of “TV Patrol,” ABS-CBN’s Aye Fulgado, Jun Lalin and businessman and Philippine Star business columnist Wilson Lee Flores, the wedding organizer-coordinator Arbee Delgado and all the other suppliers, stylist, decorations among others.

Thank you all so much for making my daughter Aila and her husband John experience an unforgettable moments of their lives.

Maraming salamat po sainyong lahat sa inyong ipinakitang pagmamahal.