It was initially supposed to be billed as Just Got Lucky 2, but Raymond Lauchengco’s manager, Girlie Rodis, suggested coming up with a different title. In a snap, Lauchengco offered Everybody Loves Raymond. It also happened to be the title of a hit ’90s sitcom starring Ray Romano, which he enjoyed.

The favorite balladeer of Gen Xers invites everyone to party with him as a senior Bagets on 29 November at The Theatre at Solaire. Expect beautiful songs, wonderful flashbacks and throwbacks, and a glimpse of what’s to come in this birthday concert, with stage direction by his eldest sister, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, musical direction by Marvin Querido and production by Global Resource Creative Exchange.

Latest song

“Yes, it’s a full-circle moment since my first song was written by Odette Quesada, and she also wrote 'My Favorite Song,'” said Lauchengco. “Because it’s my birthday, I am looking back at my life. I realized what makes it truly extraordinary are the people God placed in my life — my family, my friends, and everyone who has connected with my music. This is my way of thanking everyone who has been part of my life and my story. Thank you for being part of the tapestry of my existence.”

He added, “The reception to the song has been quite good — people are enjoying it and listening to it.”

Becoming 60

“It’s weird. I’m so excited. It’s such a big milestone,” Lauchengco said when asked about turning 60 on 28 November. “It’s an incredible gift, since not everybody gets to reach this age. Just look at Bagets — we’ve already lost Francis Magalona and Jonjon Hernandez.”

“It’s a gift that I’m healthy, that I can still perform, and that I still have people who care to listen to me. It’s incredible, and it’s beautiful,” he continued.

“People say life begins at 40, and yes, that’s true. Being 50 is great, too. But from my experience, life truly begins now because there’s so much to look back on — mas kumpleto ang biwelo,” he said. “60 is going to be a very remarkable age. It made me realize that there are no accidents and that all these life-changing moments somehow led me forward into show business.”

“When I was 11 or 12, I thought I was going to be a brain surgeon,” he shared with a laugh. “Here I am now, so happy with what I do. My first single was a B-side song; it wasn’t supposed to be a hit, but it became one. Meeting Sharon Cuneta changed everything. I met her at a soiree back in third year high school. Who would have thought our paths would cross and that she would take me from theater to showbiz? Looking back, all these life-changing moments fill me with fondness and gratitude.”

Author

Dance with The Wind, a book authored by Lauchengco, was an artistic product born during the pandemic. “The pandemic affected all of us; we had to find ways to cope and survive. Mine was with my hands, making art,” Lauchengco said. “I designed one-of-a-kind pieces — functional art, furniture, sculptures. I made close to 250 pieces. Aside from making things with my hands, I wrote almost every day. I poured out my feelings through short stories, essays, and thoughts.”

He continued, “Anything that could lift my spirit because we were surrounded by so much fear — that was my way of trying to stay positive. All of those essays and short stories were collated into an anthology, including all the artwork.”

The book, he said, “is really an encouragement. When I wrote those things, it was to encourage myself. I didn’t know it would become a source of inspiration and motivation for others as well. I guess it resonated because we were all going through the same thing. It’s a love letter to the Creator because I truly felt He sustained me during those times.”

Concert

“Last year, it was really a return to my roots and the ’80s. This one has a wider narrative because it covers all my influences. It starts with my choirboy days, then Broadway — of course — because of my experiences as an actor for Repertory Philippines. Then comes a pop and OPM segment. It’s the musical story of my life, what concertgoers will witness and hear,” Lauchengco said.

Sharing the stage with Raymond are three performers he deeply admires: Sharon Cuneta, Ice Seguerra, and Mitch Valdes, along with surprise guests. “I just got lucky. I really just got lucky,” he said. “Thank you to my dearest Megastar Sharon Cuneta, the one and only acoustic icon Ice Seguerra, and the bombastic senior herself, Mitch Valdes, for saying yes to celebrating with me. This is going to be a real party!”