Raymond Lauchengco

Raymond Lauchengco couldn't hide his ex-citement when he launched his newest self-titled album under Vicor Music Corporation two weeks ago at the Podium in Ortigas Center. Who wouldn't be excited launching an album after a decade of not recording? And he's very thankful to Vicor for giving him this chance to return to his first love - singing.

"I was invited by Vicor to do a recording since they are celebrating their 40th anniversary and they probably thought that it might be nice to get somebody who started with them," said the visibly excited Raymond, who has hardly changed. He has maintained that boyish charm that made him a matinee idol in the 80s. Well, he said he's turning 41 come November, but he is every inch the idol that he is.

"It was a dream fulfilled," says Raymond about going back to recording. "I have prayed a lot about this. I've absolutely missed this chance." Although away from the limelight for quite a while, he has never really said goodbye to singing having been busy with numerous corporate events and special projects in between. He had been singing here and there, mostly by invitation but not really like how it used to be. The last time he performed before a huge crowd was when he appeared in Randy Santiago's concert at the Araneta Coliseum and he remembered being so nervous before his number. But when he saw the crowd, screaming still recognizing him and his music, Raymond was overwhelmed and truly told himself he missed that feeling a lot.

It was his interest in photography that took Raymond away from his singing career, something that made him really sad. "But at that time, I felt I needed to make a name for myself as a photographer so since I decided on that, kailangan panindigan ko.

Iyon nga lang the price I had to pay was to neglect my singing career," said Raymond.

His family is overjoyed over his comeback. In fact, his mom, sister Menchu, and wife Mia Rocha-Lauchengco were all present at the album launch. "Even my in-laws are very happy. My wife is my number one cheerleader. She gives me incredible support. This may sound baduy but truly, she's the wind the beneath my wings," said Raymond.

The album includes Raymond's past hits like "I Need You Back," "Shadow of Time," "Farewell," and "So It's You" which were all re-mastered and digitalized. The only song that he re-recorded which he was very excited about was "Saan Darating ang Umaga," a George Canseco original.

"Feeling ko pangit ang pagkakanta ko noon. Maganda lang talaga ang kanta ni Mr. George Canseco but I felt I didn't do justice to it the first time I recorded. I was only 18 years old then and I felt I didn't know anything about life," said Raymond. "'Saan Darating Ang Umaga' is a beautifully complicated song in terms of emotions. Yung mga highs and lows, hindi ko pa naintindihan ang mga iyon noon."

He has time and again said no to television guestings. He felt that without an album to promote, those TV guestings were pointless. "I was a little scared. It's, of course, different when an artist has an album, then you can really go out there to talk at length about it. That's why I am really excited about this album," said Raymond.

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Calling all independent filmmakers. You may now submit your entries to the Cinemalaya Film Festival slated on July 12 to 17, 2006. The Philippine Independent Film Festival 2006 is a project of the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc., in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the University of the Philippines Film Institute (UPFI), the Philippine Multi-Media Systems, Inc. (PMSI) and Dream Satellite TV.

The festival features a competition, film exhibitions, a film expo and market seminars, conferences and an indie congress plus other film-related fringe events.

In the spirit of independent expression, the Cinemalaya Awards seeks to discover, encourage, and honor the cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.

The works will be narrative features that articulate the Filipino identity and culture in digital video format - to take advantage of this new, more accessible technology. The contest is open to both new filmmakers who have not yet directed a full-length commercial film, and filmmakers who have directed not more than three (3) full-length commercial films.

There will be two categories: Short Feature (from 15 to 20 minutes) and full-length feature for first time filmmakers and filmmakers who have not directed more than three films (from 90 to 120 minutes).

Ten (10) finalists will be selected from the Short Feature Category and likewise ten (10) finalists will be selected from the Full-Length feature category. The ten (10) finalists for the Full-length Feature film category will receive a P500,000 seed grant from the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. as investment for the production. The awards at stake are: The Best Short Feature Film will receive a grant of P100,000 and a Balanghai Trophy. The Best Full-Length Feature Film will receive a grant of P200,000 and a Balanghai Trophy. The awards for all categories will be given on July 23, 2006 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

For the short film category, interested participants must submit the following on or before 5pm on October 3, 2005 to the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) office at Unit 2, JM Raymundo Bldg., 14 Balete Drive, New Manila, Quezon City): A duly completed application form, synopsis in Filipino or English, a brief resume/bio-data and two (2) recent 2x2 photos of the filmmaker(s).

FOR FULL-LENGTH CATEGORY: Interested participants must submit the following on or before 5pm on September 5, 2005 (Monday) to the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) office, Unit 2, JM Raymundo Bldg., 14 Balete Drive, New Manila, Quezon City: A duly completed application form A 1- to 3-page synopsis in Filipino or English; a brief resume/bio-data & two (2) recent 2x2 photos of the filmmaker(s). Samples of previous film/video should work in CD/DVD or VHS.

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Is there some rigging going on in the contest "Closeup to Fame" aired every Saturday on ABS-CBN? This is the perception of some of the contestants who were voted out of the program after a wild card phase was conducted in the contest which resulted to the very first contestant booted out of the contest making it anew as a wild card entry.

"Bakit yung contestant na unang natanggal ang nakabalik samantalang kami na malayo na rin ang narating sa contest ang siya pang nawala," rued the contestants who requested anonymity. "Sigurado may pinapaboran na naman silang contestant kaya biglang nagkaroon ng wild card entry tapos iyon pa ang nakabalik. Samantalang wala naman silang sinabi sa amin na ganoon ang mangyayari."

The contestants were surprised to learn about the wildcard phase, something they were not informed beforehand. Any reaction from staff of "Closeup to Fame"?