Beloved Filipino singer Raymond Lauchengco invites fans both new and old to a fun evening of music in “Just Got Lucky,” an upcoming anniversary concert celebrating the multi-hyphenated artist’s career.
Raymond Lauchengco is a name that is pretty much synonymous with the 1980s. For many, he’s the voice behind classic ballads that represented love and friendship across multiple generations during the era and even beyond. His hit songs—including “Farewell,” “I Need You Back,” and “So It’s You” —marked all kinds of special occasions and wonderful memories for many, from graduations to first dates. A man of many talents, Lauchengco has also enjoyed a fulfilling artistic career as an actor, director, sculptor, and photographer, bringing smiles and a sense of wonder to his hundreds of loyal fans in a variety of ways. This 2024, he marks his 40th year in show business with the special anniversary concert, Raymond Lauchengco: Just Got Lucky, which will take place at The Theatre at Solaire on November 23, 2024 at 8:00 P.M.
Recently, East Ocean Palace restaurant hosted a media luncheon where Lauchengco got to discuss the highly-anticipated concert, as well as his other endeavors as a photographer, sculptor, and director.
An Artistically Diverse Career
Even in his early years as a performing artist, Lauchengco was never one to put himself inside a box, pursuing both successful singing and acting careers. At a young age, he began starring in musical productions like The Sound of Music and The King and I (stage talent runs in the family, as his sister Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo is the country’s “first lady” of musical theater). He then went on to not only release some of the most iconic Filipino ballads of his generation, but also star in memorable films like 1984’s Bagets and Bukas Luluhod ang Mga Tala (alongside none other than Sharon Cuneta).
Beyond this and starting a family with his wife Mia, Lauchengco also immersed himself in other artistic pursuits, especially during the challenging COVID pandemic when concerts went on full hiatus. Back then, he worked several hours a day making furniture and sculptural works, as well as restoring ceramics Kintsugi-style (the Japanese art of repairing broken objects through a lacquer mixed with gold, silver, or platinum that would showcase the beauty of their imperfections).
I asked him if engaging in these different art forms have informed and enhanced his performing career, to which he replied: “Yes, they all have. Because anything that enriches you as a person makes you better as a singer or as an artist. So all of those things have been extremely enriching. You know, you see things differently, you think differently, you perceive things differently.”
Just Got Lucky
Raymond Lauchengco: Just Got Lucky will explore the unconventional evolution of the Gen X performing artist, and how the culture of the 80s has influenced him in the present. Joining Raymond on stage is another multi-talented performer, Bituin Escalante, with Waya Gallardo as concert director and Marvin Querido as musical director.
Even the concert’s title, taken from the hit JoBoxers song of the same name, showcases just how much of an impact that period continues to have on Lauchengco, who enjoyed some of his best and most formative years at the time.
Of course, he admits with a smile that he is biased, as many people would be about the fun times of their youth. “It’s special to me because that’s the time when everything happened,” he explained. “That’s when people welcomed me into their hearts and the soundtrack of their lives.”
As for the concert itself, Lauchengco promises that it will be “very fun,” and certainly not one’s average music event. He hopes it’ll be a time for Gen X fans to relive their cherished memories and enjoy an evening filled with good tunes.
“I just want everybody to leave the theater feeling good, feeling that it’s just so good to be alive,” he shared. “That’s what I want the show to be.”
More than a reference to a popular 80s song, “Just Got Lucky” is also a nod to how Lauchengco feels about his career and fans: that he is, without a doubt, lucky to have them around and fortunate enough to continue pursuing the things he loves best.
Future Plans
On the topic of his many artistic inclinations, I also asked if he planned on returning to the stage anytime soon, since he began his career there. “Right now, all I am thinking about is singing; but I’m not closing any doors. I mean, if doors open in those areas, then let’s see. But right now, it’s really singing that defines me the most.”
While Lauchengco’s amazing music isn’t of my generation, I asked him if he was planning to work on new songs that would hopefully inspire newfound appreciation for his impressive vocal chops, and his answer was a resounding yes.
“Yes, absolutely, I’m hoping to do that next year after this concert,” he elaborated. “In fact, people have been sending me these new songs, and they’re nice.”
As to what he’s learned throughout his fruitful and long career, Lauchengco believes it’s the importance of stopping to “just smell the roses along the way.”
“It’s wonderful to see the goal but do not forget the journey that takes you there,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to explore. Now, we all have many dreams in our lives, but we can’t accomplish all of them. Pick the most important ones. Thing is, with me, I will always go back to singing, because that is my first love.”
Indeed, Lauchengco’s Just Got Lucky is his own odyssey, chronicling a journey that took one man on many different adventures until he finally reached the place that he calls home.
Visit TicketWorld to get your tickets for “Raymond Lauchengco: Just Got Lucky” on November 23, 2024, 8:00 P.M. at The Theatre at Solaire.
Photos by Excel Panlaque of KLIQ, Inc. (unless stated).
