When Reuben Laurente returned to Manila early this year, little did he know it would be a long timeout for his career as cruise entertainer. After he got off the Westerdam of Holland America ship, the WHO, not the band, declared something called pandemic.
Fortunately, an old flame came to save the day. The situation ironically gave him a golden opportunity to re-tap his painting talent that practically took a backseat because of his musical endeavors. He’s on to his 11th obra since deciding that painting would help him release anxiety caused by the community quarantine and deal with paying the bills and bringing food on the table.
“Looking at the bright side of things, it turned out to be an unprecedented opportunity where I could go back to painting while creating music as well,” said the former singer for premier vocal group The CompanY.
Asia’s Timeless Diva Dulce bought a painting he created dubbed Mga Dalaga sa Balkonahe. She had it serve as backdrop while being interviewed for a cultural online show.
A graduate of Bachelor of Interior Design at the University of the Philippines, Reuben started drawing at age five and owed his skill to his father Dominador who then worked as a graphic artist for the evangelical Philippine Crusades. Years later he joined an exhibit at Art Space in Glorietta 4.
His work graced the coffee table books Philippine Visual Arts 2000 and Folk Influence on Modern Art in 2002. His style can be seen as a reflection of his care for human depth and glowing color combinations. Three of his nieces, Bethany, Bethel, and Beulah, served as muses for his fresh creations Singkil Princess, Dalagang Magbubukid, and Tausug Girl.
Years ago, while suffering from laryngitis, Reuben crafted 13 art pieces focused on Filipino culture. You bet those 13 gave him more than enough luck to get back his bearing.
Juggling music and art at a time many artists find themselves idle and not knowing what to do next, Reuben noted in his usual positive tone, “Sa pandemyang ito di tayo pinabayaan ng Panginoon. We’ll just keep on creating and give God the glory from the gifts He has blessed us with.”
Last Nov. 30, Reuben’s sixth solo album and his first full-length digital release “Milestone” came out. The video of his laudable a capella rendition of “Someone To Watch Over Me” premiered on social media platforms, too. The album was produced by GRMilestone Records Music Production headed by Arnold Santiago. It features R&B Queen Jaya in a song called “Us Together” and which insiders described as a “glorious musical celebration” that touched on various genres. It inserted a Christmas song called “Pasko Na.”
“It’s a testament of God’s faithfulness that I was able to record at an unusual, unexpected and unpredictable time,” he added.
Reuben wishes that his works be exhibited and curated by galleries in Manila and abroad. Expect the genie in a bottle to grant it.