***

For the "Greatest Hits of the 80’s" concert at the Music Music this Friday and Saturday, Randy Santiago, Raymond Lauc-hengco, Gino Padilla and Louie Heredia join forces to relive that glorious era in the local music scene. Are they out to surpass the success of Rico Puno, Hajji Alejandro, Nonoy Zuñiga and Rey Valera?

"Seventies sila at ‘80s kami so we come from different periods and they have different hit songs," says Randy. "There’s no rivalry between us dahil parehong may market ang songs from those two decades."

Among them, Randy is the one who remains active, not only because of his Ratsky Bars but he continues to be seen on TV and he also directs sitcoms like the forthcoming "Parekoy" starring John Prats and Zanjoe Marudo. But Gino and Raymond have recently released new albums. Gino’s album, "Hands on Time," was even produced by no less than Sharon Cuneta herself, while Raymond released "Full Circle" from Viva that’s a tribute to the ‘80s and to his baby daughter, Natalie.

"When my wife and I got married, our plan was to enjoy each other’s company first for some years," says Raymond. "When she got pregnant, it wasn’t part of the plan and my reaction was just to sit there for six hours thinking about it. I realized when our baby came that she’s a gift from the Lord and that whatever problems you may have, they all disappear when you hold your baby, kaya mas ganado ako to perform now."

For tickets to "Greatest Hits of the ‘80s," call Ticketworld at 891-9999.

It’s ‘80s night

New album contains hits of 80s' icons



Yugel Losorata

A walk down the 80s' memory lane will happen at Music Museum on May 16 and 17 as four music icons of the era stage a concert.

Fans of Randy Santiago, Raymond Lauchengco, Louie Heredia, and Gino Padilla will be treated with songs that are considered classics.

Another treat is the new album containing the singers' biggest hits. Released byVicor Music, "Greatest Hits of the 80s," the same title of their concert, is a 12-song retro package that is definitely worth every single cent spent.

"The era (80s) was too good it was only a matter of time para bumalik ulit. We’re making sure to sing the hits because I myself know the feeling of coming in to a concert and finding yourself surprised that the artist missed to sing those you were expecting to be sung," Gino shared.

Gino's hits are "Let The Love Begin," "I Believe in You" and the big Tagalog piece "Gusto Kita" which was co-written by Metropop winner Snaffu Rigor.

It is good that the songs were not rerecorded and sprinkled with new flavor because it gives the present generation the chance to savor their young voices and the analog recordings from which the songs were produced. CDs were not yet the fad in the 80s and seeing them all in one CD is surely a treat for music piece collectors.

Randy Santiago occupies the last three tracks in the album with "Hindi Magbabago," "Babaero" and "Para Sa’yo."

Raymond Lauchengco of the "Bagets" fame introduces the compilation with "Farewell" plus two other classics in "Saan Darating Ang Umaga" and "I Need You Back."

For his share, Louie Heredia has "Nag-iisang Ikaw," "Can Find No Reason" and "Iisang Damdamin."

The CD's sleeve, however, leaves much to be desired. It lacks interesting details and eye-catching photos of the singers.

What matters most, of course, is their music.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2008/05/15/ENTR20080515124614.html

REVIEW
Encore saves revival show


By Pocholo Concepcion
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:40:00 05/19/2008

Gino Padilla, Raymond Lauchengco, Randy Santiago and Louie Heredia.

MANILA, Philippines - It had all the elements of a made-for-TV special—production numbers, costume changes, scripted spiels— but one that stretched a bit too long with so many tunes and segments crammed in.

Fortunately, the cleverly crafted encore saved everything and captured the essence of the concert’s theme.

At the Music Museum last Friday, the first of the two-night show dubbed “Greatest Hits of the ’80s” featuring Louie Heredia, Raymond Lauchengco, Gino Padilla and Randy Santiago tried to relive a decade with songs that swayed between upbeat R&B and an abundance of English OPM that tended to get mushy, with lots of British and American new wave hits thrown in for good measure.

Opening with Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long” and El Debarge’s “Rhythm of the Night,” the four singers tried to keep up with the songs’ bouncy beats, but with Padilla’s vocals sounding tentative and Heredia having difficulty finding his dance groove.

Script failure

On the third number, “Dancing in the Street,” one of the show’s faults became apparent—a failure of the script to mention that this song first came out in 1964, originally recorded by the Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas (curiously, co-written by Marvin Gaye), although it was covered by Mick Jagger and David Bowie in ’85.

Another classic Motown tune, “You Can’t Hurry Love” by The Supremes circa ’66, didn’t get the proper credit, even if the four headliners were apparently interpreting the ’82 Phil Collins version.

A succession of ballads that paid tribute to women singers Joey Albert, Iwi Laurel, Jam Morales, Pops Fernandez, Jamie Rivera, Sharon Cuneta and Kuh Ledesma was heartily applauded, although this was also the portion where the thinness of Santiago’s singing voice became noticeable.

An attempt to end the slow numbers with Zsa Zsa Padilla’s “Mambobola” sounded strange, with male vocalists mouthing lines like, for instance, “Huwag akong ligawan...”

Among the spot numbers that came out fine were Heredia’s “Nag-Iisang Ikaw”—his voice still sounding like the original recording; Padilla’s signature song “Closer You and I” and his “Let the Love Begin” duet with Rachelle Ann Go; and the latter, as a special guest, belting out Harem Scarem’s “Honestly” with power and confidence, while her lithe body was mounted on five-inch stilletos.

The next segment was a blast. It highlighted the featured performers’ acting abilities as Lauchengco emerged dressed as Menudo’s Robby Rosa and singing “If You’re Not Here,” Padilla as Michael Jackson in “Beat It,” Heredia as Culture Club’s Boy George in “Karma Chameleon” and Santiago as Prince in “Let’s Go Crazy.”

Humor, spoof

It was easy to appreciate the humor in these numbers, but sadly they were done in a spoofing manner that downplayed the songs’ influence in their heyday. Santiago was the funniest, exaggerating how he put socks in his crotch to avoid the embarrassing flimsiness of his purple costume.

Of the four, Lauchengco was the best-applauded in the segment that spotlighted their past hits as OPM balladeers. It could be that, aside from his theater-trained pipes, his songs’ lyrics, though not exactly awesome, were most affecting (“I may be miles away/But here is where my heart will stay”).

There were spotty, unnecessary portions like the movie soundtrack themes and solo numbers, not to mention simple spiels that Padilla and Heredia flubbed.

It was also a pity that nobody informed a couple of male dancers that the T-shirts they were flaunting had faces of the band Kiss, which rose to prominence in the ‘70s.

Dance time

But nobody was prepared for an encore that encapsulated, partially at least, the happy, sensitive, quirky, simple but rocking appeal of ’80s music. Everyone stood up and danced to a succession of wonderful stuff including those by General Public, Van Halen, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Billy Joel, A-ha, The Go-Gos, Billy Idol and Jefferson Starship, from which one phrase spelled the kind of sound that mattered most: “We built this city on rock ‘n’ roll.”

Well, never mind if there were no Clash (whose “London Calling” album was widely considered as the best album of 1980), no Bruce Springsteen (“Dancing in the Dark” to add to the many “dancing” tunes that night), no Blondie (“Call Me” could’ve suited Heredia fine since he did a mean falsetto in A-ha’s “Take on Me”), no Police, no U2 and so on. Maybe next time, if we are to believe Santiago’s remark that the promoter, Viva Concerts, intends to bring the act to Pinoy communities overseas.

As a whole, the gig was fun and lived up to what one of the spiels described it: like a high school reunion. In which case, the four boys acted like each of them was one of these: the class nerd/genius (Lauchengco), tough guy (Padilla), drag queen (Heredia) and clown (Santiago).

If the latter wasn’t exactly an excellent singer, at least he wore really great-looking jeans and boots.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20080519-137386/Encore-saves-revival-show

May 12, 2008 04:16 PM Monday

By: Mario E. Bautista

Freehand

NO RIVALRY FOR THE 80S HITMAKERS

FOR the ‘Greatest Hits of the 80s’ concert at the Music Music this Friday and Saturday,  Randy Santiago, Raymond Lauchengco, Gino Padilla and Louie Heredia join forces to relive that glorious era in the local music scene. Are they out to surpass the success of Rico Puno, Hajji Alejandro, Nonoy Zuñiga and Rey Valera?
   
“70s sila at 80s kami so we come from different periods and they have different hit songs,” says Randy. “There’s no rivalry between us dahil parehong may market ang songs from those two decades.”
   
Among them, Randy is the one who remains active, not only because of his Ratsky Bars but he continues to be seen on TV and he also directs sitcoms like the forthcoming “Parekoy” starring John Prats and Zanjoe Marudo. But Gino and Raymond have recently released new albums. Gino’s album, “Hands on Time”, was even produced by no less than Sharon Cuneta herself, while Raymond released “Full Circle” from Viva that’s a tribute to the 80s and to his baby daughter, Natalie.
   
“When my wife and I got married, our plan is to enjoy each other’s company first for some years, “ says Raymond. “When she got pregnant, it wasn’t part of the plan and my reaction was just to sit there for six hours thinking about it. I realized when our baby came that she’s a gift from the Lord and that whatever problems you may have, they all disappear when you hold your baby, kaya mas ganado ako to perform now.”
   
For tickets to “Greatest Hits of the 80s,”  call Ticketworld, 891-9999.

People's Journal

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-05-12&sec=3&aid=59237

May 17, 2008 05:05 PM Saturday

By: Nitz Miralles

* * *

Maganda ang feedback sa first night ng Greatest Hits of the ’80s concert, kaya siguradong mas ganado sina Randy Santiago, Louie Heredia, Gino Padilla, at Raymond Lauchengco sa last night ng concert ngayong gabi sa Music Museum pa rin.
   
Bukod sa original hit songs nila, kakantahin din ng apat ang  pinakasikat na disco songs noong dekada ’80, gaya ng Head Over Heels, Buttercup, Jump, Can’t Get Enough, Sometimes a Fantasy at marami pang iba.
   
Abangan din ang impersonation ni Randy kay Prince, ni Gino kay Michael Jackson, ni Louie kay Boy George at ni Raymond kay Robi Rosa ng Menudo.
   
Produced ito ng Viva Concerts and Events, sa direksyon ni Junjun Santiago at special guest si Rachelle Ann Go.
   
Mabibili ang tiket sa Ticketworld (891-9999) at Music Museum ticketron.

People's Tonight

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-05-17&sec=3&aid=59856

May 19, 2008 04:03 PM Monday

By: Nitz Miralles

Basta

* * *

PANALO ang two-night Greatest Hits of the ’80s concert nina Randy Santiago, Gino Padilla, Louie Heredia at Raymond Lauchengco sa Music Museum.
   
Klik sa audience ang repertoire na binubuo ng hit songs ng dekada ’80 at mga kantang pinasikat ng apat at maganda ang direksyon ni Junjun Santiago.
   
Nagmistulang disco party ang concert nang magsayawan ang tao, non-stop ’yun at ilang minuto ring tumagal.
   
Pati sina Direk Maryo J. delos Reyes, Toni Rose Gayda, Bayani Agbayani at Ogie Alcasid at Regine Velaquez (very sweet) na nanood ay humataw din ng sayaw.
   
Nakausap namin si Veronique del Rosario-Corpus after the show at kinumpirmang may provincial at U.S. tour ang concert at inaayos na ni June Torrejon ang schedule.

Pag-aaralan ng Viva Concerts & Events ang request ng press na magkaroon ng part 2 ang concert, dahil marami pang songs ng ’80s ang ’di nasama sa repertoire.

People's Tonight

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-05-19&sec=3&aid=60022

May 21, 2008 06:59 PM Wednesday

By: Aster Amoyo

If I Know

BIG BLAST FROM THE 80

THE two-night Greatest Hits of the ’80s concert featuring Randy Santiago, Raymond Lauchengco, Gino Padilla and Louie Heredia, held at the Music Museum was a big success. The audience went home with wide smiles on their faces The venue was filled and everyone had a great time dancing to the 80’s music rendered by the four singers.
   
It was trip down memory lane as the songs rendered by the four music idols of the said era brought back memories of the time. Randy, Raymond, Gino and Louie made their mark as singing idols during the ’80s. Their own hits plus hits of the singing idols of the 80s like Michael Jackson, Boy George, Prince and Robby Rosa of the Menudo, among others made the concert truly memorable.
   
Even if the concert went on for three hours, it didn’t matter to the huge crowd who definitely enjoyed the night of nostalgia. Among those seen enjoying the concert were
   
Direk Maryo J. delos Reyes (who directed “Bagets,”  the defining youth movie of the ’80s), Toni Rose Gayda, Bayani Agbayani, Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez (who were very sweet to each other).
   
Viva Concerts is planning a provincial concert tour and a possible US tour for the show. They are also thinking of doing a repeat.

People's Journal

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-05-21&sec=3&aid=60341

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

* * *

Pangatlo ang Greatest Hits of the ’80s  sa Viva Concerts and Events-produced na sasalang this year. Umaasa sina Raymond Lauchengco, Louie Heredia, Gino Padilla, at Randy Santiago na magiging kasing-successful ito sa Golden Divas nina Pilita Corrales, Carmen Pateña, at Carmen Soriano na may repeat.

Sa Music Museum ang venue ng two-night concert sa May 16 and 17, to be directed by Junjun Santiago. Magpapagalingan ang apat sa kanilang solo numbers at production numbers na sama-sama. Songs of the ’80s ang repertoire at guest si Rachelle Ann Go na makaka-duet ni Gino.

Thankful si Gino sa Viva sa pagpo-produce ng concert at kung saan muling maririnig ang Closer You And I at Let The Love Begin  ni Gino; ang Nag-iisang Ikaw at Iisang Damdamin ni Louie; I Need You Back at Farewell ni Raymond; at Babaero, Hindi Magbabago ni Randy.

Tickets to the show are available at Ticketworld at 891-9999 (P2,250, Orchestra Center; P2,000, Orchestra Side; and P1,400, Balcony). Medyo mahal, pero worth it sa ganda ng mga nakahandang songs at performances ng apat. — NITZ MIRALLES

http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=20080428103&type=2

Raymond Lauchengco hilig og luto ug gardening

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Wala damha ni Raymond Lauchengco nga moabot ang panahon nga duna na siyay anak.  Niadtong batan-on pa siya dili siya hilig og  bata. Dali ra siya nga mairita niadto kung naay mohilak nga bata. "That was me many years ago. Hindi mo ako makikitang may karga na baby or nakikipaglaro sa mga bata. Hindi ko lang talaga gusto ang mga bata noon. I didn't feel anything for a kid not until I had my own child. Malaking pagbabago nga for me because ngayon ko lang nadi-discover na masarap pala na maging malapit ka sa mga babies. Bigla kasing nag-kick in ang paternal instincts ko. You discover a lot of things from a baby everyday. Kaya kapag nasa bahay na ako, ang baby namin na si Natalie ang una kong pinupuntahan. Hindi ko na bibitawan ‘yan," nagkanayon si Raymond. Usa sa gikabisihan ni Raymond  karon ang pagluto ug pag-atiman sa ilang garden. Giangkon ni Raymond nga wala kaayo ma-interes ang iyang misis nga si Mia sa mga gimbuhaton sa balay. Mas naka-focus kini matud pa sa negosyo.  "I don't mind it kasi yun naman ang expertise niya. Ako kasi, I discovered na marunong pala akong magluto. So most of the time kapag nasa bahay lang ako, I do the cooking. Ako ang master chef sa bahay. And I love watching cooking shows nila Wolfgang Puck and Jamie Oliver. Yung gardening naman, nakahiligan ko rin because gusto ko rin na very green ang paligid ng bahay namin. Kung bibisita ka sa bahay namin, very well tended ang mga plants namin and I really have time to do that," dugang pa niini. Samtang makauban si Raymond nila Gino Padilla, Louie Heredia ug  Randy Santiago sa concert nga Greatest Hits Of The 80's  sa Music Museum karong  May 16 ug 17  ubos sa Viva Concerts and Events ug ubos sa direksyon ni Jun-Jun Santiago. (Sanden Anadia)

http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=20080430185&type=2