‘JUST GOT LUCKY’ | Raymond Lauchengco feels ‘immensely blessed’ with 40th anniversary concert
by Pocholo Concepcion, https://www.facebook.com/, https://www.facebook.com/BusinessMirror/ · BusinessMirror- Pocholo Concepcion
- November 17, 2024
- 4 minute read
Except for the grey hair, Raymond Lauchengco still looks pretty much like the ’80s kid he once was.
There are no special routines or whatnot, he says, “I just try to stay busy and active.”
In this Q&A, the well-rounded performing artist who has done theater, music, movies, photography, functional art, and, due to the pandemic, sculpture, recalls the highlights of a colorful career — plus a teaser on what to expect at his coming show, Just Got Lucky: The 40th Anniversary Concert, on Nov. 23 at The Theater at Solaire, with guest Bituin Escalante.
Forty years is a long time, but what were the highlights of your career as a performing artist?
Recording the songs of some of the best composers — Odette Quesada, Louie Ocampo, Cecile Azarcon, George Canseco, and Willy Cruz who gave me my hit songs. Being chosen to represent the Philippines at the 1987 Tokyo Music Festival. Doing movies, Bagets and Saan Darating ang Umaga in particular. Working alongside Sharon Cuneta, Maricel Soriano, Martin Nievera, and Gary Valenciano. Being directed by legends like Bibot Amador, Lino Brocka, Maryo de Los Reyes.
How did you get you into theater, did your sister Menchu have a hand in it?
Yes, my sister Menchu made that happen — as a prank! She knew I was very shy, so without telling me, she filled out my name on the audition form for Repertory Philippines’ production of The King and I. I was only supposed to be there as Menchu’s chaperone. When I heard my name being called out by the stage manager, I froze. Then Bibot Amador started to scream because no one was responding, so I figured the best thing to do was go up on stage so she’d stop screaming.
They asked me to sing a song, so I sang “Evergreen” which was Menchu’s favorite Streisand hit at the time. She’d play it all day at home, so I knew it. Next thing, I was cast as Louis Leonowens, the son of Ana. Menchu was cast in a chorus part, which she wasn’t happy about. She quit and I stayed on. All because she played a prank on me!
And then you got into pop music. Did you think it was your calling at that point?
Not at that point. I guess I was too young then to realize that singing was a very precious gift and a serious profession. In the ’80s, kids my age were told to become doctors, teachers, lawyers, but not performers. I wanted to be an architect, actually, but somehow, a wonderful chain of events was set off, which saw me get into movies, recording, and TV as well.
Who would you consider your biggest musical influences, and why?
The greats like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. Impeccable phrasing. Superb technique. They were such wonderful storytellers who used music as their medium. I was also a huge fan of the three tenors — Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, and Jose Carreras.
I remember raving about the big band album you recorded many years back. Whose idea was that?
That was my wife Mia’s big idea. She wanted to produce a passion project/album. Mia loves ’80s music and my heart was into big band standards at the time, so we merged both our preferences and came up with Full Circle: The Big Band Album.
Music took a backseat when you got married and started a family. What kept you busy for a living?
I’ve always had a “creative restlessness” about me. I saw my career as a journey to relish, rather than a mad rush to get to the destination. So, I took my time to relish it and take detours, like professional photography, directing, and making art with my hands. But I’d always return to my first love — singing. But yes, those are the three things I’d be doing when I wasn’t singing.
You also got into the fine arts. Tell us about it.
That’s my pandemic story. I’ve always dreamed of working with my hands to make beautiful things, but never had the time. Then, when 2020 happened, I had all the time in the world. I started with functional art, then I challenged myself to make one-of-a-kind furniture pieces. Then I taught myself how to restore ceramics, Kintsugi-style, and to my utter surprise, I started to sculpt. I still can’t believe I did all that! Close to 150 pieces during the pandemic years. Who would have known something beautiful could come out of such broken times.
You’ve recently performed with Odette Quesada. Was it just like old times?
Yes, nine shows and counting — three in Manila and six in the US. Odette is the composer who made me a singer because she wrote my very first hit, “I Need You Back.” It’s really like going full circle with Odette. We have a very strong bond. Did you know we were classmates at the UP College of Music? So, yes, definitely like old times.
What can the audience look forward to at your coming concert?
Just Got Lucky is my way of saying “thank you” to all the audiences who continue to listen to me even after 40 years.
Despite all my starts and stops, people have always welcomed me back without judgment every time I’d go back to performing. That’s why I feel like I just got lucky. The more appropriate term is, I have been immensely blessed.
As to what to expect? I’d like to celebrate 40 years by going back to when it all started in the ’80s. I’d like to take the audience back to the first time they fell in love, the first time they had their hearts broken, and when they first met the friends whom they’ve kept forever.
So, it’ll be nostalgic and loads of fun. I’ll be singing my hits and some of the best love songs of that decade, plus the most iconic dance tunes of that era as well.
You seemed to have aged well. How do you stay healthy?
Thank you. I don’t have any special routines, really. I just try to stay busy and active.
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