San Lorenzo the Musical at Binondo Church

by Clyde Ericson Nolasco Binondo Church will celebrate the Feast of St Lorenzo Ruiz this year in a very unique way: with a jukebox musical on the life of the first Filipino saint.

St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint and martyr, was born in Binondo, Manila. He died in Japan in 1637 for refusing to renounce his Christian faith, courageously declaring: “I am a Catholic and I will remain a Catholic until my death.”

Starring Jeffrey Ray Miguel as Lorenzo Ruiz—who is also a volunteer editor at Dominus Est—the musical will include popular songs such as Sanlibong Buhay, among others.

Msgr. Esteban "Bong" Lo, rector of the Binondo Church, formally known as the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz, invites everyone to “LORENZO: A RELIGIOUS JUKEBOX MUSICAL.”

The musical will be staged on three Saturdays—September 13, September 27, and October 11 at 3:30 PM—and will be followed by the 5:00 PM Eucharistic celebration.

This was produced in cooperation with the Catechetical Foundation of the Archdiocese of Manila (CFAM), as part of the Archdiocese's celebration of the Jubilee of Catechists and Voluntary Ministers.

It also coincides with the Basilica's fiestas in honor of San Lorenzo Ruiz (September 28) and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary (October 12).

The cast includes members of the Binondo Choir and the RCAM Catechists under the musical direction of Mel Costuna, with consultants Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo and Msgr. Esteban Lo, LRMS.