Lance Joseph Martinez

From Teen Icon to ‘Senior Bagets’: Raymond Lauchengco Reflects on Turning 60

Article (news)

<p>How remarkable is it to hit <strong></strong>60<strong></strong> and mark the milestone with a major birthday concert? That’s precisely what <strong>Raymond Lauchengco</strong> is set to pull off as he officially becomes a <strong><em></em></strong><em></em><em></em>“senior Bagets.”<em></em><em></em><strong><em></em></strong></p><p>Raymond’s journey in the performing arts began early. At just 12 years old, he stepped into the world of musical theater, taking part in productions such as Repertory Philippines’ staging of <strong><em>The King and I</em></strong>. But at 18, he crossed over into mainstream showbiz when he became one of the five young male leads in the iconic 1984 coming-of-age comedy film <strong><em>Bagets</em></strong>—a title that cemented his place in pop culture history.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17634441366211. 52424.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>Now, with over four decades in the industry and as he celebrates his 60th birthday on November 29, Raymond is inviting fans to join him for a birthday concert titled &quot;<strong>Everybody Loves Raymond</strong>,&quot; happening on <strong>November 28, 2025</strong>, Saturday, at <strong>The Theatre</strong> at <strong>Solaire</strong>.</p><p>“Party with me as I turn into a senior Bagets!” he said with a laugh during a lunch at <strong>East Ocean Palace</strong> on November 11, 2025, where <strong>Metro.Style</strong> sat down with the singer-actor for an exclusive interview.</p><p>As he officially steps into his “senior Bagets”<em> </em>era, Raymond shares that all he feels is excitement. For him, turning 60—and turning 60 healthy—is a gift, especially because he’s still able to do what he loves: singing and connecting with people through music.</p><p>“I’m terribly excited to turn 60. I feel like it’s such a big, big, big milestone. But even more than that, I think it’s a gift. It’s a gift because not everybody reaches 60,” he said.</p><p>“And, you know, I think about it. I give thanks because I’m healthy, I can still sing, and more importantly, people still somehow want to listen to my songs. So it’s really such a gift,” he added.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17634441563203.PortraitsbyPaw_RBL 2025-107-min.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Reflecting on his life so far, Raymond sees his first 59 years as a build-up to this next chapter.</p><p>“I honestly feel like the first 59 years of my life were a preparation for everything that is yet to come. So I’m really looking forward to 60. I’m loving it already. And I can’t wait to see what the rest of my life has in store for me,” he explained.</p><p>Raymond also revealed just how hands-on he is with the concert’s production, from writing the script to choosing the people behind the scenes. He shared the ways he has been preparing, too.</p><p>“I wrote the script. I also prepared the concept. I asked my sister to direct it because she knows me. She’s known me since I was born. So, I felt she would be the perfect person to put this together for me. But in terms of preparations, I train. I rest my voice as much as possible. I exercise. I prepare myself mentally. Things like that,” he revealed.</p><p>The show will be directed by his sister,<strong> Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo</strong>, with <strong>Marvin Querido</strong> as musical director. Produced by <strong>Girlie Rodis</strong>’ Global Resource Creative Exchange, the evening is envisioned to be both spectacular and deeply personal, filled with beloved hits and meaningful moments.</p><p>Joining Raymond onstage are three artists he greatly admires: <strong>Sharon Cuneta</strong>,<strong> Ice Seguerra</strong>,<strong></strong> and <strong>Mitch Valdes</strong>—plus surprise guests. “I just got lucky. I really just got lucky,” he said.</p><p>He shared how each guest was thoughtfully chosen, with each one playing a significant role in his life and in the meaning behind his 60th birthday celebration.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17634441757622.Final photo 1.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>For Sharon Cuneta, the decision was immediate. Raymond revealed that the Megastar was instrumental in launching his showbiz career.</p><p>“Si Sharon <em>kasi</em> is responsible for my being in show business. Prior to that, I was in musical theater. <em>Siya ‘yung na</em><em>g</em>-discover <em>sa akin</em>. So, you know, my story would not be complete without Sharon. Okay, that’s how important Sharon is in my life,” he said.</p><p>As for Ice Seguerra, Raymond said their similarities as artists made him an ideal collaborator. “<em>Si</em> Ice naman, we have many similarities. We both like to sing songs that are quiet and, you know, that speak of love, you know. So, I wanted somebody who was like me, yet very, very different, you know, representing a younger generation as well.”</p><p>And for Mitch Valdes, Raymond shared that she will bring an element he truly needs at this stage in his life. “And then, <em>si </em>Mitch <em>naman</em>, I really want, I need Mitch <em>kasi nga</em> I’m turning into a senior. I don’t know how to do certain things as a senior. I want him to teach me, to show me the ropes, to show me these hacks for being a senior,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763444115899Dance_With_the_Wind_Cover-min_optimized_3000.png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>The special night will also mark the debut of his new single <strong>“My Favorite Story”</strong> and the launch of his first book, <em><strong>Dance With the Wind</strong>,</em> a collection of essays and artworks chronicling his personal transformation through the years.</p><p>&quot;My Favorite Story&quot; was written by <strong>Odette Quesada</strong>, who also penned Raymond’s timeless hits <strong>“I Need You Back”</strong> and <strong>“Farewell.” </strong>He shared the story behind how the song found its way to him.</p><p>“When I was in the States last year, we were together, we were touring. It was her show, I was her guest. And I said, ‘Odette, I’d like to record one of your songs again.’ <em>Sabi niya</em>, ‘Yeah, Raymond, there are three songs that I would suggest for you.’ So she gave me the three songs. All of them were beautiful. All of them I want to record <em>pero</em> ‘My Favorite Story’ struck me as being the first one I wanted to record because it really tugged at my heartstrings,” he said.</p><p>What makes the song even more special is the story behind it: Odette and her husband <strong>Boggie</strong> wrote it for their son.</p><p>“So that’s the kind of love and energy that I wanted to put my voice to. That kind of song. Plus, because I’m turning 60, I was thinking to myself, you know, looking back at my six decades, what’s the most extraordinary thing about my life? The most extraordinary thing about my life, I feel, are the people that God put in it. My family, my friends, and every single person whom I have connected with through music,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17634442007994.RBL Photo JGL.JPEG" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, <em>Dance With the Wind</em>, his book of essays, short stories, and artworks, captures his personal journey during the pandemic.</p><p>“<em>Dance With The Wind</em> is the title of a short story that I wrote. The entire book is a collection of the essays, short stories, and poetry that I wrote during the pandemic. Because it’s my pandemic story. <em>Lahat tayo may </em>pandemic story, ‘<em>di ba</em>? Because of lockdown, we had to do something. We had to keep ourselves from drowning in a world that was full of uncertainty and fear. I coped by making art. I worked with my hands,” he said.</p><p>For Raymond, the book embodies the way he navigated and survived that difficult chapter.</p><p>“All of these stories, all of these artworks are now featured in the book. And the book is called <em>Dance With The Wind.</em><em> Dance With The Wind</em> is how I survived the pandemic. That was so nice to hear,” he concluded.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/02OzsEAaMk5RQ8nLnxtBXg?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>How remarkable is it to hit 60 and mark the milestone with a major birthday concert? That’s precisely what Raymond Lauchengco is set to pull off as he officially becomes a “senior Bagets.”</p>

How remarkable is it to hit 60 and mark the milestone with a major birthday concert? That’s precisely what Raymond Lauchengco is set to pull off as he officially becomes a “senior Bagets.”