Proud Filipino singer and painter Reuben Laurente will take center stage at the Pinoy Playlist Music Festival 2024 with his unique performance blending his love for Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and visual art. The free show titled Singing Biswal: Filipino Vibrant Melodies & Captivating Filipino-Themed Canvases is scheduled on November 16, 2024, at 8 PM, in the Zobel De Ayala Recital Hall, 2nd Level of the Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC Arts Center, Taguig City.
In an exclusive interview with Good News Pilipinas before his next cruise gig, Manila’s “Pop Virtuoso” shared his excitement about blending his artistic passions for this special one-night-only event, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in Filipino creativity through song and canvas.
A Blend of Music and Art in a One-Night-Only Show
The ALIW Awards’ Best Concert Artist and University of the Philippine Fine Arts graduate is inviting all Filipino music lovers to watch his performances which would have a unique combination of his paintings in his repertoire.
“Nais kong imbitahan kayong lahat sa Nobyembre16. Natutuwa ako na ibahagi sa inyo na meron po akong isang magandang palatuntunan na p’wede n’yo pong mapanood (I want to invite all of you on November16. I’m excited to share with you that I have prepared a program that you can watch),” Laurente announced.
DISCOVER: ALIW Best Concert Artist Reuben Laurente inspires us with OPM song “Ang Pinakamagandang Awit”
From OPM Classics to Visual Masterpieces
“I came up with an eclectic mix of Filipino music mula sa sinauna hanggang sa mga musika na nag-encourage sa akin at nag-inspire sa akin para maging mapagmahal ako sa aking lahi, sa aking Pilipinas (I came up with an eclectic mix of Filipino music, from traditional music to songs that have inspired me to love my heritage and my country, the Philippines),” the singer and heritage advocate went on.
“I will also be incorporating my art with my music. Ayon ’yong kaibahan sa ibang acts na ipe-present kasi kasama ko ang aking mga likhang sining sa aking show. Kung papaano? Panoorin ninyo (That’s what sets me apart from other performers as I’ll be showcasing my artwork in my show. You’ll have to watch to find out),” Laurente teases.
Showcasing Filipino Culture Across Generations at Pinoy Playlist
The Pinoy Playlist Music Festival is an annual event under the auspices of BGC Arts Center Maybank Theater spearheaded by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, Maribel Garcia (BGC Arts Center Managing Director/Curator), multi-awarded singer-songwriter Moy Ortiz, and celebrated media man/talent manager Noel Ferrer. In its 6th year, the three-day festival from November 15 to 17 features different acts performing simultaneously.
The BGC Arts Center describes the event: “From vocal groups, solo, bands, classic, indigenous, theater, pop, and collaborations in between these forms — the program celebrates the evolving nature of Filipino music and its role in culture-building.
Pinoy Playlist also honors excellent contributions to Filipino music through the PPMF Ryan Cayabyab Awards. Past awardees include: Basil Valdez, Jose Mari Chan, Pilita Corrales, Babsie Molina, and Jonathan Velasco.”
Laurente adds: “Ito ay isang plataporma rin ng BGC Arts Center para ibahagi ang music ng Pilipino sa lahat ng henerasyon, from traditional music to different genres ng Pilipinas, to pop and contemporary (This is also a platform for the BGC Arts Center’s way to showcase and promote Filipino music across all generations, from traditional music to various genres present in the Philippines, including pop and contemporary).”
The multi-hyphenated artist said the audience can choose where to watch among the three festival venues: a small hall, a main theater, and an amphitheater outside.
“Nagtanghal dati ang The Company doon. Ang Ben & Ben nagtanghal na doon. So eclectic talaga (The Company performed there before, as well as Ben&Ben. It was so eclectic),” the seasoned singer and recording artist recalls.
SEE: National artist Ryan Cayabyab unites over 100 OPM artists for Pinoy Playlist concert
Award-Winning Artist Fuses Fashion and Art
The music and visual artist’s combining his music and visual art follows his recent foray into fusing his painting with fashion as he incorporated one of his visual masterpieces on the barong he wore to watch Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ “Sayaw Tungo sa Kalayaan” at the Manila Metropolitan Theater.
“OOTD: sublimation on jersey (of my original painting “Pilipino Ako, Ito Ang Aking Lahi”) by Russell Engalla (FB: Lithogratees) / organza bomber jacket by Sir Jhun and Agnes Vera Layo,” wrote Laurente on his Facebook post.
“Nakita nila at nakakatuwa, may isang nagpakuwento kung ano ang mga nanduduon sa [barong] (They saw it, and it was delightful—someone even asked about what’s depicted on the barong),” the former member of The Company recounted. “’Yong painting na ito, hindi naman s’ya handpainted pero I can do that as well (This painting isn’t exactly hand-painted, but I can do that as well).”
He also elaborated on his creative process for producing a traditional Filipino attire infused with a painting that featured Filipino symbols and elements.
“Itong ginawa ko ay parang mas accessible sa madla kasi digital. Sublimation ’yong tawag nila sa printing. Pina-print ko lang ito sa jersey (What I created is more accessible to the public because it’s digital. They call the printing process sublimation. I just printed it on jersey fabric),” Laurente shared to Good News Pilipinas.
“So naisip ko, kung bibigyan tayo ng Panginoon ng maraming budget, makakagawa ako ng Filipino-themed prints on jersey. ’Yong jersey na ’yon in-incorporate ko s’ya sa organza, isa sa materials natin na ginagamit for barong…to be able for me to spread the Philippine culture in my own little and unique way (I thought, if the Lord gives us a bigger budget, I could create Filipino-themed prints on jerseys. I incorporated that jersey into organza, one of the materials we use for barong… to spread Philippine culture in my own little and unique way).”
Is he planning to turn his hobby and advocacy into a business?
“Kung merong resources bakit hindi? Pero for now, ’yon lang talaga ang gusto ko, ang magpinta nang magpinta… Because I love sharing our country’s cultural heritage (If there are resources, why not? But for now, that is what I really want to do, creating visual artwork… Because I love sharing our country’s cultural heritage),” he answered.
“Ayon lang ako. Ayon lang ang ginagawa ko. Dahil ito ’yong mas gusto ko, mas komportable ako, mas totoo ako dito, kung papaano ko maibabahagi ang kultura ng Pilipinas, ang yaman ng kultura ng lahing Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng sining biswal (This is what I love to do. Because this is where I feel more comfortable, and where I can truly express myself, how I can share the Filipino culture and rich heritage through visual art),” the singer and painter added.
Plans for a Painting Exhibit in 2025
For those interested in seeing his artwork, Laurente said he plans to hold a painting exhibit next year.
“Lord willing, meron akong isang exhibit na gagawin for next year (I plan to have an exhibit next year). It’s all in the works, in the process of coming to fruition. Meron na akong kausap na gallery for that (I’m already in talks with a gallery for that),” he mentioned.
“Sana, kung loloobin ng Panginoon, magawa ko. Meron na akong mga eleven works na bago. I’m pushing for 16, kasi nakahati s’ya sa apat na bahagi, apat na tema (I hope, if the Lord’s will, that I can accomplish it. I already have about eleven new paintings. I’m pushing for 16 because it’s divided into four parts, four themes),” he concluded.
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