The invitation said brunch, but nobody seemed to mind when world-famous tenor Andrea Bocelli made the local Italian community wait for hours in Caruso Ristorante Italiano last Wednesday.

Members of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, Inc. meet regularly in Caruso. But the gathering last week was special because it was also the day Caruso owner Emilio Mina would introduce the Italian wines produced by Bocelli’s family for more than 130 years now.

To celebrate the occasion, Mina served platters of zucchini stuffed with pork, veal and parmesan cheese; sliced veal tuna with anchovies, oil and lemon sauce; salami from Milan and Florence, and mixed vegetables.

There were also two kinds of ravioli. One was a sweet combination of pumpkin and parmesan cheese in butter and sage. The other was a dark pillow of exquisite seafood.

There were also bowls of arugula salad with bufala cheese and cherry tomatoes.

Everyone was already digging into the panna cotta dessert when Bocelli arrived with wife Veronica.

The excitement was evident as everyone stood up. After all, most of the guests were also among the fans who watched Bocelli’s concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena the night before.

Although everyone was asked to make as little noise as possible (apparently, silence helps Bocelli focus on his music better; he also needed it to prepare for another engagement), the expats could not help but give the tenor a round of applause upon arrival.

Italy’s Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Roscigno gave a short welcome speech. Veronica reciprocated.

Bocelli later took his turn at the mic, telling everyone to “enjoy our wine but not too much” before taking his place at the presidential table.

Could it be that guests wanted to hear Bocelli sing? Caruso owner Mina later grabbed the mic and serenaded everyone with an Italian folk ditty. Soon other guests sang along.

Just as the waiters brought out the Bocelli family’s wines minutes later, the tenor and his wife got up. It was time to go.