Severino "Mang Binoy" Reyes
"Lola Basyang" is the pen name of the Filipino writer, dramatist, and playwright, Severino Reyes. He was born on February 11, 1861 in Santa Cruz, Manila. His parents were Rufino Reyes and Andrea Rivera and was married to Maria Paz Puato and had 17 children.
Reyes attended his early schooling in an institution owned by Catalino Sanchez. He then moved to San Juan de Letran College and later at the University of Sto. Tomas, where he studied philiosophy.
Severino Reyes or "Mang Binoy" is known as the “Father of Sarsuwela”. He died on September 15, 1942, when the Philippines was under the Japanese regime.