As Raymond Lauchengco marks 40 years in show business with a concert in November, he is also marking 40 years of artistic evolution in photography, direction, and the visual arts.
“Raymond Lauchengco: Just Got Lucky” to be held on November 23, 2024, at 8 pm at The Theatre at Solaire, celebrates the unconventional path of an 80s matinee idol whose audiences have embraced him throughout his creative journey.
“Just Got Lucky” is my way of giving thanks to the people who have been listening to me for the last 40 years,” said Raymond at a media lunch hosted by East Ocean Palace. “And the best way I can do that is to take the audience to where it all started—the 80s. So they can expect my hits, familiar love songs, and guess what? Fast songs with dancers! Something I am not known for,” he laughed. “I want people to leave the concert feeling like, ‘Oh, it’s good to be alive…even if we are much older!’”
The voice behind the songs, ‘I Need You Back”, “Farewell”, “So It’s You” and many other hits is also a skillful artist, having made a name for himself as a photographer, director, and sculptor. “I have many dreams, and sometimes that meant putting singing in the back seat. I gave myself time to explore that creative restlessness. But I have always gone back to singing because singing is my first love.
“And one of the reasons this show is called ‘Just Got Lucky’ is every time I went back to singing, audiences embraced me without question or judgment. The more appropriate term is ‘I’ve been blessed,’ but that’s not the title of a song from ‘Bagets’.” ‘Bagets’ is the iconic coming-of-age movie that launched Raymond, Aga Muhlach, Herbert Bautista, JC Bonnie, and William Martinez into 80s superstardom.
“I feel that most of that creative restlessness has settled. I was a photographer and could photograph celebrities, shoot their album covers, and shoot magazine covers. I was a director for 20 years…and the pandemic allowed me to be a sculptor—who knew I would ever do that?—but now I feel it’s time to go back to singing.
“I’m so thankful for the creative detours I’ve taken because I feel that anything that enriches you as a person will make you a better storyteller. And a singer is just that: a storyteller. You connect with people and share a common sentiment. I could never sing ‘Farewell’ or ‘Sean Darating ang Umaga’ now the same way I did at 18, and it’s because of those creative detours that have given me a deeper understanding of what life is about.”
Raymond will be joined on stage at “Just Got Lucky” by another multi-talented performer, Bituin Escalante. Waya Gallardo will be the writer and concert director, and Marvin Querido will be the musical director.
“Just Got Lucky” is supported by Navitas, Avolution, East Ocean Palace, Tough Mama, The Zen Institute, JBL, GRCX, Solid Shipping Lines, So True Naturals, LifeScience, C&E Pizza, and HG Studio.
Tickets are now available at TicketWorld and the Solaire box office.
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