Couple gets engaged on stage at 'Ang Huling El Bimbo: The Musical'

A couple got engaged right on stage at the end of the "Ang Huling El Bimbo: The Musical" show on Sunday.

As seen on a video posted by Full House Theater Company on Facebook, Axel Zapanta and Joi Tuazon was invited for a photo opportunity with the cast before the curtains closed.

There was a raffle and when their seat numbers were called, Joi could not believe their luck. Little did she know that Axel organized it all with the help of the cast, crew, and production team.

"We were supposed to watch lang talaga the AHEB since we are both a fan. Tapos may ganong surprise pala," Joi told GMA News Online.

"I am crying already kasi I felt super lucky to be called for a group photo with the whole cast on stage," she added. "If I remember vividly, tumatalon-talon pa ako nun kasi I'm super happy that I'll get a souvenir photo from the complete cast!"

When they got on stage, they were both given a microphone. Still clueless about what's going on, Joi thought they were simply being asked to give a review of the show.

She only realized what was happening when Axel began speaking and the audience screamed in kilig.

"In front of all AHEB fans, crews, and casts, I promise to love you sa tanghali sa gabi at umaga. And we will live nang tahimik at buong ligaya," he said, quoting the iconic Eraserheads' song "Ligaya."

He then went down on one knee, presented Joi with a ring, and popped the question: "Will you marry me?"

Of course, she said yes and they hugged as the cast and the fans applauded and cheered around them.

Right on cue, music played and the AHEB cast sang the chorus of "Ligaya."

Axel said he was able to pull everything off thanks to the whole AHEB team.

"I was nervous talaga. Especially nung kinanta na ng AHEB cast 'yung final chorus nila ng 'Alapaap' kasi I was expecting na tatawagin na kami. Hanggang sa binanggit ko na 'yung first line ng spiel ko, dun na nawala 'yung kaba ko," he told GMA News Online.

"I felt the support of all AHEB cast, crew, and production team. Sobrang solid nila! Kaya nung moment na babanggitin ko na 'yung line hanggang 'Will you marry me?' buong-buo na 'yung loob ko."

According to Axel, his dream proposal was actually a flash mob, but when Joi said she was already expecting it, he began to think of alternatives.

They were both fans of AHEB, and when he bought two tickets to watch the musical, that was when a germ of a plan began to form in his mind.

"At first, my plan is to just surprise her na manonood kami. But after I saw her face na sobrang saya niya nung sinabi ko na manonood kami, it got me thinking, 'What if I do it there?'" he said.

When Axel learned about the photo-op with the cast, he messaged the AHEB official page to ask for their assistance in making his proposal a special one.

They replied after 12 days, or two days before the show, and the rest is history.

"Grabe, it felt like nasa Alapaap talaga kami! Superb experience," he said, describing the moment as "mind-blowing."

Axel said it was difficult for him to keep everything a secret from Joi, as he wanted to share the excitement with her. But he endured it all so that the proposal would be an epic one.

As the video showed, it was a resounding success.

"This may sound cliché but words really can't express how special it was for me. We've been together for [nine] years and I could say it was finally the God's perfect time for us," Joi said.

So what is the theme song of their relationship?

"Theme song namin talaga is 'Lucky' by Jason Mraz. Pero after what the AHEB musical did for us, truly, it will now be the 'Alapaap' and 'Ligaya,'" Axel said.

Congratulations on your engagement!

—JCB, GMA Integrated News