Reuben Laurente, a top-notch global artist and performer, recently launched his fans’ most-awaited solo recording digital single, “Ang Pinakamagandang Awit”, composed by Marizen Yaneza, arranged by Noel Espenida, produced and published by RJA Productions LLC.
A multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, theater performer, and album producer, Laurente cites Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Brian McKnight, Harry Connick Jr., Mel Torme as his major influences.
“Ang Pinakamagandang Awit” is a love ditty that boldly attempts the return of the classic OPM movie soundtracks during its golden age (late 70’s to the 80’s), where the songs were mostly the celebrated ballads and sung by Reuben’s OPM icons- the great Mr. Basil Valdez and Mr. Nonoy Zuñiga. Inspired by these OPM soundtracks and icons, Reuben’s solo single will take you down memory lane… with his soothing vocals reminiscing, revisiting, and reliving the chart topping soundtracks that dominated the airwaves 40 years ago. Listening to Reuben will take you back to the golden age of the past... a nostalgic walk to the best songs that captivated everyone’s hearts and memories.
In his recent come-back, after a 13-year hiatus in the Philippine music industry, he successfully reclaimed his place in the music industry and the live theater by winning the “2018 Best Male Concert Artist of the Year” ALIW Awards (the Philippines’ award-giving body for live entertainment), successfully launching his first digital single “You’re My Home” (a revival of Odette Quesada 80’s hit), and by performing First Man and “Manama” via Ballet Philippines’ "Tales of the Manuvu" (March 2019) staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
From Gospel Singer to an Award-Winning Singer/Performer
Reuben started out his career as a gospel singer for PAPURI! He then joined the Philippines’ premiere vocal group, “The CompanY” from 1991 to 2004, where Reuben became a historic part of the group’s first 14 albums and first 35 industry awards.
Reuben’s pursuit of excellence led to this impressive winning streak:
●Three-time AWIT Awards nominee for Best Male Recording Artist of the Year (1997, 2001, and 2007)
●AWIT and ALIW Award winner as Singer/Songwriter and Live Performer (2007)
●Catholic Mass Media Award winner for best secular album of the year (“Pop Virtuosity” album) for D’Concorde producers Reck Cardinales, Rudy Ong, and himself (2007)
●“GLOBAL PINOY” Award recipient (“Pinoy” is a colloquial word for Filipino) by the SM Supermalls (2010, international cruise)
●AWIT Special Citation Award winner for being a recording artist showcasing the Filipino artist in the international cruise entertainment scene (2011)
●Four-time Official Philippine Representative to various International music/performance festivals
○The First Philippine Int'l Music Festival (Manila, 1995) (Winner - 2nd Place)
○Sounds Of the Human World (Taiwan, 2004)
○USA Songwriting Competition as interpreter of the Best World Music song “Ikaw Ay Ikaw Pa Rin” by composers GJ German Gomez and Markel Luna (USA, 2003)
○World Championships of the Performing Arts (USA, 2007).
Reuben is One Glorious Musical Celebration
Reuben loves delving into different genres and has honed his voice to sing a variety of vocal styles. As a theater performer, Reuben also played the role of "Lakshmana" in "RAMA HARI" (1990) and Pilo in "Himala, The Musical" (2003), both at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. As a performer on stage, he loves doing an eclectic mix of songs that would showcase his versatility as a performer, and he describes his act in four words: ONE GLORIOUS MUSICAL CELEBRATION.
He also launched five solo studio album with various gospel and pop record labels, “Reason For This” (Shekinah,1995), “LANGIT” (Emmanuel Music, 2005), “PopVirtuosity” (Concorde Records, 2006), “HeartBlends” (MCA Universal, 2009), and “More Than Just Renditions” (Musikatha Ministries, 2012).
In 2008, Reuben crossed music borders from recording to the international cruise entertainment scene as a production cast singer, then eventually becoming a guest entertainer/headliner for various international cruise brands, bringing his own solo show to different parts of the world. This gave him the opportunity to travel to six continents and 82 countries and sovereign states.
Apart from being a performer on stage, Reuben is also a visual artist having graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design at the University of the Philippines. His works have been featured in two coffee table books produced and published by Heritage Art and Antiquities and Piso Book Foundation namely “Kayumanggi” and “Folk Influence on Modern Philippine Art” (Jane Stangle Aposotol-Alvero).
Reuben Laurente is a true inspiration. He gives back all the glory to the Giver of his talent for these accomplishments, and enthuses that these accolades are all God’s blessings for the passion and dedication that he has for his craft. He is a dedicated artist who is passionate about his craft in pursuit of excellence and in championing the Filipino artist on the global stage.
Truly, this quote from Floy Quintos (award-winning Director/Playwright/Author/Actor) sums it all:
"Reuben has a gift not many of our most talented singers can claim to. He has the ability to create nuances that imbue every song with personal meaning."
WWW.REUBENLAURENTE.COM
