(via Manila Bulletin) Known for her hits “Everyday” and “Sa Isip Ko,” Agot Isidro takes on a new role as a ‘wedding singer’ as she returns to the music scene via “White Lace and Promises,” a collection of well-loved wedding songs.

Released under PolyEast Records, Agot said the concept of “White Lace and Promises” is just right for the ‘ber’ months.

“Contrary to popular notion that June is the wedding month, it is actually during the ‘ber’ months that more Filipino couples walk down the aisle. The nights are longer during this time and people anticipate receiving their Christmas bonus,” she said during the press conference for the album held at Discovery Suites on Oct. 14.

She shared that choosing songs for the album was a challenge “because there are so many good wedding songs.”

Nevertheless, Agot and PolyEast were able to come up with an album they could be proud of—one that features versions of OPM classics and international standards that can be used for both intimate and big weddings.

Agot confessed that she initially balked at recording a version of Basil Valdez’s signature song, “Ngayon at Kailanman.”

“I didn’t think I could sing this song. I thought the song was too ‘big’ for me and I knew how popular and well-loved this song is to Filipinos. I hope I gave justice with my version,” she related.

Her version eventually ended up as the album’s promotional song.

The singer-actress also did a duet with Martin Nievera on the Patti Austin-James Ingram song, “True Love.” She said the Concert King had to sing four songs prior to recording “True Love” to enable his vocal cords to stretch because it was arranged in a key higher than he is used to.

Other songs in “White Lace and Promises” are Rico J. Puno’s “Together Forever,” The Carpenters’ “We’ve Only Just Begun” [the second verse of which is where the title of Agot’s album was lifted],  Shania Twain’s “From This Moment,” and The Corrs’ “Runaway” (which Agot sang at the Judy Ann Santos- Ryan Agoncillo nuptial on April 28).

Agot said she is reminded of her wedding to businessman Manu Sandejas whenever she listens to her latest album. The two tied the knot on Oct. 7, 2000 at the St. John Bosco Church in Laguna.

“Unlike some people who recall their weddings as blurs, I remember mine very vividly. It was raining while the priest was saying mass, but the rain stopped as soon as we [Agot and Manu] stepped out of the church,” said she.

Incidentally, Manu agreed to be photographed as Agot’s love interest for the album’s inlay. She said that Manu replaced a Brazilian model for the task when negotiations for the latter didn’t fall through.

Agot is choosy in accepting invitations to sing at weddings, preferring to do so only for people whom she knows well..

“Weddings are very intimate occasions, [so] there’s this danger of becoming an ‘unwanted stranger’. It’s important that you discuss with the couple what they want to sing. The music is your connection with them,” she explained.

album tracks:

1. Ngayon at Kailanman
2. Here There and Everywhere
3. Runaway
4. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)
5. Together Forever
6. I Will
7. From this Moment
8. When You Say Nothing at All
9. We’ve Only just Begun
10. Fallen
11. Looking Through the Eyes of Love
12. True Love (duet with Martin Nievera)