Filipinos and Chinese peoples have been historically intertwined. This play depicts just one of many stories. More than just a love story, Binondo creates a bridge between two cultures, those of the Philippines and China.

“Is the lapel not working? Or is it the sound system?” asked the lady in black sitting next to us at the Theatre at Solaire when we watched Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical recently.

We knew what she meant. From where we were sitting, the actors’ voices seemed a little muted, and their singing would go decrescendo. The live orchestra music was also overpowering the singing voices.

That was unfortunate. The musical compositions by Von de Guzman were quite engaging, to say the least. From the first musical number, “Masdan Ang Hugis ng Buwan,” down to the last number, “Sa Bawat Sulok ng Binondo,” the beautiful music brought to life the true story based on the life of producer Rebecca Chuaunsu’s uncle.

Back in 1986, Rebecca, together with her parents, traced their roots in China. A Chinese professor told them about her uncle’s greatest love and heartbreak. For 32 years, they etched the story in their hearts and minds, hoping that they would be able to share the romantic tale set in Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world.

Spanning two decades (the 1970s and 1990s, respectively) and two countries (China and Philippines), the musical tells the love story between Lily, a hopeless romantic Filipino lounge singer born and raised in Binondo; and Ah Tiong, a straight-laced Chinese professor who went on a two-week vacation in Manila before returning to Beijing.

The racial prejudice and political turmoil in their countries — Martial Law in the Philippines, and Cultural Revolution in China — kept the star-crossed lovers apart. When circumstances pulled them apart, Lily and Ah Tiong’s hearts refused to forget. But years of waiting and absence have a way of changing the story. Would fate finally bring them together and let them keep their promises to each other?

More than just a love story, Binondo creates a bridge between two cultures, those of the Philippines and China. Playwright Ricky Lee, with the help of Gershom Chua and Elhay Castro Deldoc, masterfully weaved the tribulations of political turbulent times both in China and the Philippines into the romantic narrative.

The Philippines and China have a long history, brought by years of migration and trade. Long before the colonizers came to the country, Chinese immigrants had already settled in the Philippines, bringing with them their customs and traditions. When the Spaniards came, they drove the Chinese immigrants living in Manila to the place we now know as Binondo.

Ricky Lee points out how the Chinese and Tsinoy are usually contravida, or portrayed for comic relief, in films and theater plays. But, in this production, the Chinese characters are neither antagonists nor a laughingstock. They are portrayed as human beings who put their hearts on the line and hope for a love unhindered by prejudice and political circumstances.

The beautiful story is brought to life by some of the country’s talented artists from film, television, and stage, including Shiela Valderrama-Martinez and Carla Guevara-Laforteza, who alternately portray Lily; Arman Ferrer and David Ezra, who play Ah Tiong; and Floyd Tena and Noel Rayos who star as Carlos.

Completing the cast are Mariella Laurel (Jasmine); Ashlee Factor (Ruby); Ima Castro (Mrs. Dela Rosa); Jennifer Villegas dela Cruz (Lourdes); Dondi Ong (Mr. Chua); Kay Balajadia Liggayu (Mrs. Chua); Russell Magno (Mr. Zhang); Elizabeth Chua (Mrs. Zhang); Jonel Mojica and Joseph Billeza (Ge Lao); Jim Pebanco, Lorenz Martinez, Khalil Kaimo, Tuesday Vargas, Ellrica Laguardia, Rhapsody Li (Chorus); Philip Deles and Ivana Villanueva (Swing).

Catch Binondo: A Tsinoy Musical on its last weekend run: July 6, 8 p.m., July 7, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and July 8, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., at The Theatre at Solaire.