Beatles musician, Apostle and Evangelist of St. John the Divine, Manolo Quierson, aka Nolet, stands outside the legendary Cavern Club, where the Beatles first made their name. (Courtesy of Manolo Quierson)
Written by Jennifer Rector
hawaii catholic herald
The award-winning podcast “Hawaii Catholic Herald Highlights” returns with a new host and new stories to be shared throughout the Diocese of Honolulu.
In addition to being an army officer, Jack Rector has a passion for good conversation, a glass of whiskey, and, of course, his faith. He is the new host of “Hawaii Catholic Herald Highlights,” working with producer and his wife, Herald reporter Jennifer Rector, to bring the island's hidden gems to life for listeners to enjoy. We will deliver it inside.
The first episode will air on April 12th with guest Manolo Quierson, affectionately known as Nolet.
From performing on stage in Liverpool, England to worshiping the Lord in the pews of Mililani, Quiathon has shared his love of music throughout Hawaii and around the world.
Quierson sings at the 6 p.m. Mass at St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Church in Mililani, and has composed music for the Mass several times.
“It took a lot of prayer. I don't have any technical training. I don't have any technical strategies, advice, or ways to put together notes. I just rely on the Spirit in prayer.” “Do you understand?” said Quierson.
His musical journey began in the Philippines, where he grew up in the capital city of Manila. He and his brother played music, but when he saw a parish priest pick up a guitar and start a band in the 1970s, he realized prayer and worship were an option.
From there, he learned more about his faith, always guided by the Holy Spirit, and eventually became a member of Beatlele, a local cover band that played Beatles music using the ukulele.
The group performed throughout Oahu and even traveled to Liverpool, home of the iconic British rock band, where the Beatles were invited to perform at the Beatles Festival along with musicians from around the world.
In addition to jamming on the ukulele, Quierson worked as an architect for many years, which he said was “like living in an Indiana Jones movie” for him and his family.
His career began in Kuwait in 1983, when the Philippines suffered the fall of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and the country was plunged into turmoil.
Quierson said she was grateful to have avoided a political pandemic in her beloved home country.
“God took me out of that situation because I was already in Kuwait. And no matter how foreign and so different Kuwait seemed, I quickly found a Catholic church. I did it,” Quierson said.
The adventure didn't end there. When his family visited the United States in 1990, the entire family again avoided the world event of the outbreak of the Gulf War.
This interview is a two-part series on SoundCloud. stay tuned!
