he premier balladeer returns to the concert scene singing the most unforgettable love songs.

“I would like to touch hearts through the music, to keep it simple, elegant and sincere, and with each person coming out thinking, That was wonderful music,” says premier balladeer Raymond Lauchengco of his forthcoming Valentine concert, Classic Romance, [at the Rockwell Tent last February 14].

His first major concert after some time away from the spotlight, Classic Romance is not so much the shedding off of the matinee idol/ pop star image—one that Raymond has been associated with since he emerged in the industry in the 80s—as it is his evolution as an artist and singer. “Who you are as a person is who you are as a singer,” he explains. With experience gathered from having been in showbusiness for over 20 years, Raymond has developed a richer, more sophisticated sound. “The longer you live, the more you see, the more you feel, and the more you've been, and the wealth of emotions from all these experiences are poured into the song.”

His maturity and experience are reflected in Classic Romance's varied yet polished repertoire, playing like the soundtrack of, yes, a classic romance. “There are the standards, which I think are called ‘standards' for good reason, since they have withstood all musical trends and have transcended musical tastes. The first time I sang standards live, I felt right at home—they speak of gentler and more elegant, golden time, with lyrics so rare these days that they have become so precious—and there is something about them that brings romance back to something tender, untarnished and more genteel and purer than some romances we find today. There are Broadway pieces, which of course bring to mind a whole romantic narrative. And then there are the Spanish songs I grew up with where the romance is never arbitrary: there's never a maybe, it's black or white, yes or no, and love is literally a matter of life and death! It's love me or I will die!” Raymond shares.

Raymond looks forward to singing with guests Mechu Lauchengco-Yulo and Ayen Laurel at his concert. “It would be wonderful to perform with someone I've shared the most performance highlights with,” he says, referring to his sister, Menchu, who has been called the queen of Philippine musical theater. “Growing up I was perpetually with her, as a chaperone or starring in the same production as her—and who better to sing Broadway pieces with?” Speaking of Ayen Laurel, he says she is “very special to me—we've worked together a lot in the past. She's been my leading lady, my producer and a great friend. As a singing partner, her voice is a perfect mix of sweet and sexy—which is perfect for the standards.”

With Classic Romance taking place at the Rockwell Tent, Raymond promises a warmer, more intimate atmosphere that he has come to favor as a performer. “I'd like for each member of the audience to feel like I am singing just for her, to feel like I am taking just to that person. When I went back to recording (after being out of the spotlight for a while), I realized that in my performances there was a lot going back and forth, from me to the audience. And afterwards, when they tell me, ‘You have no idea how many memories you've stirred,' or when they express that they've been moved, that is what fulfills me most as an artist, to know that I've touched them. I really believe music is strong enough and potent enough to go straight to the heart.

“It being Valentine's Day—Valentine's Day is all about romance. It's the world in love; the world actually stops to celebrate love. It is, perhaps, the ultimate human emotion—think of how many have written about it, sung about it, cried about it, have been joyous about it, and died for it,” Raymond says, “and I hope that I, and the songs, will be able to communicate what love is at its very core.”

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