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Jerry Donato - The Philippine Star
March 16, 2025 | 12:00am
When he is not in town, singer-painter Reuben Laurente is aboard international cruise ships and treats passengers to a Filipino brand of entertainment. He headlines his own solo shows, which are a sojourn from continuing and creating new paintings or gracing local shows.
“I’m a guest entertainer for various international cruise lines such as Holland America, Royal Caribbean (International), Celebrity (Cruises), Princess (Cruises) and Norwegian Cruise Line,” said Reuben, who has an agent based in Miami for his future gigs, in a virtual interview with The STAR. “I do my own show with a band or with tracks. So, handa ako (I have to be ready and prepared).”
Part of being one is bringing music sheets, made by Filipinos, that can be appreciated by any music artist or talent.
“It’s (each music sheet) written in its simplest form that can be read by all, (regardless of) one’s music education,” added he.
Reuben could hop on (as get on) and off a ship that cruises from three to five days or seven to 11 days.
“If I’m booked, like, for two cruises, I get to do two cruises. I have two different shows being spread out (on) the schedule,” Reuben gave one a sneak peek into his work. “For example, I will perform on Day 3, then my next performance is on Day 8 or Day 7 because on the ninth day, I’ll be leaving for the Philippines.”
Such a work set-up is different from what he used to do in the past and for 10 years as a headliner of a cruise ship’s Broadway revue or a production show that required him to stay for, say, six months. He remembered doing two shows a night, replete with fast costume changes.
“It’s my own act. It’s my solo show,” said he. “Bago nawala si Floy Quintos (the playwright and theater director), I asked him to write a script for my (performance). I have to prepare two shows. Some cruise lines need one show or two shows for an extended cruise.”
With the help of Floy, his first show is called “The Sheer Talent of Reuben Laurente.” The second show, on the other hand, is named “Music Beyond Borders.”
In his recent Facebook post, the script for the latter was made by co-former The CompanY member and friend, Andre Castillo.
“He (Floy) said, ‘We have to showcase you as a singer who is very versatile. As an act, you can do this. You can navigate from pop to disco to R&B to soul to jazz,’” shared he. “The second act is not about the act, the voice, but the content of the songs because it’s music beyond borders, the music that transcends time, language, barriers.”
In his artist’s agency, Reuben said that there are more than 200 talents from around the world, and they work per continent. That’s why he has to be on his toes, so he can be tapped or invited again, as one may put it.
“It depends on the results of surveys (among passengers),” said he. “You’re there on stage. You’re not being judged as a contestant, but you’re being judged as an act — an act could be something that’s entertaining and engaging… you also have to be empathetic and sensitive with the demographic of the international guests coming in.”
As a guest entertainer and an international singer, Reuben aspires for this: “I always want to be inspirational… (the show is) wholesome and for general patronage.”
Tomorrow, March 16, Reuben is leaving for another show for the Norwegian SUN under the Norwegian Cruise Line, cruising Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore.
Proud of his roots, he is wearing Filipino designs in his gigs such as those made by artisan Agnes Vera Layo, Frederick Berches, designer Vandro Casiwan and Rita and Sandigan Caballero.
As soon as he hops off the ship and lands in Manila, Reuben is back in his artist’s workshop to paint and perhaps in a meeting for a local showcase or music collaboration.
