Raymond Lauchengco brings back beautiful memories of the ’80s

Raymond Lauchengco has the best of both worlds as a singer and actor. His songs are timeless Original Pilipino Music (OPM) hits written by great Filipino composers. He acted alongside the Megastar Sharon Cuneta in “Cross My Heart” and “Bukas Luluhod ang mga Tala.” He became the leading man of Diamond Star Maricel Soriano in the tearjerker classic “Saan Darating ang Umaga?” Raymond sealed his celebrity status as one of the hottest matinee idols of the ‘80s with youth-oriented movies like “Bagets,” “Bagets 2,” and “Hotshots.”

He displayed artistry at a young age by performing in Repertory Philippines’ “The King and I,” in which he played Louis, and “The Sound of Music” as Friedrich, one of the Von Trapp children that included his sister Menchu, Lea Salonga, Monique Wilson, and Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

With this impressive resumé, Raymond is indeed a lucky guy. Four decades have passed, yet he is still a well-loved performer. This is a remarkable feat in an industry where everything seems fleeting. He will come full circle in his 40-year journey as an artist with a concert titled “Just Got Lucky: The 40th Anniversary Concert” on Nov. 23, 8 p.m. at The Theatre at Solaire.

“It’s my way of saying thank you to all the audiences who have listened to me for the past 40 years and who continue to listen to me,” he said during our conversation on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.”

Raymond has aged like fine wine. He remains good-looking while confidently sporting his graying hair. “It has very little to do with who you are on the inside which I think matters a little more.”

The concert’s title brings back beautiful memories of the ‘80s. “Just Got Lucky,” with its signature dance moves, is the catchy soundtrack of “Bagets.” Raymond said 40 years of him is four decades of the iconic film that also starred Aga Muhlach, Herbert Bautista, William Martinez, and JC Bonnin.

“‘Just Got Lucky’ represents so many things in my career. If you look at my hits, all of these great songs were given to me on a silver platter. With all the starts and stops that I had, every time I gravitate back towards singing, audiences still welcome me with open arms and without judgment. So, feeling ko, I just