Raymond Lauchengco reveals Gary V., Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid as his concert guests
Still riding high over his sold out concert Everybody Loves Raymond, Raymond Lauchengco shared what a whirlwind his return to the limelight has been. The singer stepped back onto the stage to perform again after more than 35 years with his highly successful 40th anniversary concert Just Got Lucky in 2024.
“Would you believe that was my first major concert since 1998? Imagine! When the pandemic happened and then it came to a stop, my prayer was, ‘Lord, I’d give anything to sing again.’ And then right after the pandemic, I got the opportunity because they said, ‘You have to celebrate because it’s your 40th anniversary.’ So that happened. That was the Just Got Lucky concert. Nung natapos na yung Just Got Lucky, akala ko yun an ayun. Tapos naging Everybody Loves Raymond last year, my 60th birthday concert.
“After nun, sabi ko, ‘You know Raymond, maybe you should take a break.’ Kasi nakakahiya naman, two concerts in a row! Baka sawa na sila sa akin. But then somebody very wise and profound and knowledgeable in my life said these very words to me, loving words. She said, ‘Ang tanda tanda mo na, mag-be-break ka pa? Mahiya ka naman (laughs).’ So she opened my eyes and I said yes. I must continue what I’m doing. Kasi ang dami dami ko ng break, ang dami dami ko ng detour,” he shared during the We Built This City concert presscon last October 23 at the East Ocean Palace restaurant in Pasay City.
The one-night only concert, promises to be a lively mix of ’80s anthems, Top 40 favorites, Broadway numbers, and Raymond’s own enduring hits. The concert will feature a stellar lineup of guest performers that includes Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, and Mitch Valdez.
“These are the cream of the crop! The ultimate. But even in last year’s concert naman we had Martin (Nievera) and Sharon (Cuneta). But this year nadagdagan pa. You know what these artists represent. These are the heavyweights. Just to be able to share the stage with them is such an honor. So the challenge now is how do you maximize their participation. We’re really collaborating now on how to make the most of their participation. Imagine, I’m going to sing with Gary V., and then I’m going to sing with the queen Regine and then I’m going to sing with the chief of OPM Ogie. I’m going to banter with Mitch Valdez. That’s the funnest part for us now, how to maximize these incredible guests,” he added.
During the presscon, Raymond also shared the story on how he decided on the name of his concert We Built This City first came about and why he thought it was the most fitting way to describe the show which is happening just eight days shy of his 61st birthday.
“This is my dream concert. I want people to come with their friends, hear the songs they love, and have a fantastic time. We’ve spent so much of our lives being responsible adults. For one night, we can just enjoy ourselves. The city kasi, in my mind, is a metaphor for Gen X. Okay, so Gen X, we are celebrating through memories, all of the memories of Gen X. So you have to look at it this way. I think, Gen X in particular, they did really well. Think about it. We raised families. We built careers. We built friendships that have lasted the best of time. We drank water straight from the garden hose. We rode our bicycles until it got dark. We had Brooke Shields, we had Phoebe Cates, the girls had Menudo, and Rob Lowe. There were no cellphones. Wala tayong Google Maps. We had one superpower. You want to know what superpower it was for Gen X? We learned to rely on ourselves early. We knew where everybody was without having to text. That’s what I want to celebrate through our memories,” he explained.
The We Built This City performer also added that he wants concert goers to look back on their memories growing up in the ‘80s and celebrate it all together under one roof for that night,
“The city now is a metaphor for all that. What are our memories? All our firsts, the first time we fell in love, the first time we held hands, our fist paycheck, our first dream that made us realize that anything is possible. That’s what the city is made of. And then nagkataon that it’s also part of, you know, the ‘80s, which I represent. So in my mind, when I heard this suggestion from my wife, sabi ko, I think it’s perfect. Let’s use that as the title. To celebrate Gen X, we built this city. We celebrate the people, the memories and the music that shaped our lives throughout every season.”
Raymond Lauchengco: We Built This City, happening on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre, Circuit Makati. We Built This City” is presented by EvoCity by Ayala Land, and made possible with the support of Solid Shipping, Avolution, Tough Mama Home & Kitchen Appliances, East Ocean Palace, and Stronghold Insurance Company. Wardrobe is by JC Buendia and grooming is by J/Monis Salon.
Tickets are now available at TicketWorld.