Thomas Aquinas Choir is a church-based choir of talented individuals dedicated to serving the Lord through music at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Marikina City. They began rehearsing in preparation for the audition and thought about what name would suit the choir. They considered two names: St. Thomas Aquinas or St. Therese of the Child Jesus. After much discussion
, they agreed that St. Thomas Aquinas would be the official name of the choir. On August 1, 2004, the audition for the St. Thomas Aquinas Choir was held at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Marikina City. After the audition, the OLA Music Ministry warmly accepted and welcomed the choir. The choir was initially composed of 2 sopranos (Cindy Buenaventura and Dianne Alonzo), 2 altos (Melissa Santos and Donna Paz), 3 tenors (Rolie Hipolito, Aris Santos, and Luisito Reyes), and 3 basses (Eleazar Derilo, Emerito Paz, and Randy Hipolito). Over the course of several months, the choirโs membership grew, and they were invited to sing in various locations such as the Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace or EDSA Shrine in Quezon City, St. John Ma. Vianney Parish in Antipolo City, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Marikina City Hall, Rusty Lopez Company, and Riverbanks Mall. As a way of thanking the Lord for His blessings, the choir established the tradition of holding outreach programs through gift-giving every Christmas for the less fortunate and singing the Rosario Cantada as a prayer offering for the souls of the departed. For over four years, the choir has faced many challenges. However, by the grace of God and with the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Thomas Aquinas, the choir has remained determined. The choir held its very first mini-concert at Marikina Elementary School and served as the backup choir on September 8, 2008, for a renowned soprano from Marikina City, Miriam San Miguel-Aguillar. Thomas Aquinas Choir (STAC) leads the congregation in praising the Lord through music at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Marikina City during the 5:15 p.m. Holy Mass. May our service to the Lord be sustained through devoted singing. (Composed by Bro. Eleazar โElyโ Derilo)
