Aside from being an Original Pilipino Music (OPM) singer, Reuben Laurente has also been making his own objects of art or masterpieces in the form of paintings. The former The CompanY member has widened his artistic horizons and introduces himself as a singer-painter.
“That’s what I do now when I don’t have gigs in Manila,” said Reuben, a Filipino talent headlining shows on international cruise ships, about his love for the visual arts, in a recent virtual freewheeling chat with The STAR. “From (gracing shows on) cruise lines and cruise ships, I paint, and, thankfully because of the pandemic, I was able to revisit that passion, the other passion, which is painting.”
Trying his hand at the two-dimensional arts from the performing arts was a natural progression for Reuben since he earned an interior design degree from the University of the Philippines.
“I was able to practice it for less than a year,” shared Reuben, who juggled his responsibilities as an artist in a clothing brand’s visual merchandising department and as a vocal group member at that particular time. “At one point, I had to decide.”
So, his passion for performing superseded and helped him establish himself as an OPM singer.
Fast-forward to now, Reuben has found his foothold as a painter.
“I advocate and promote the (Philippine) culture through my art,” said he. “So, if I’m being commissioned to do a portrait or something, I want a Filipino theme.” It is his way to show his pride of being a Pinoy and his contribution to further promote the local culture and heritage.
As an artist, he is into figurative art and mostly chromatic, while his medium is acrylic.
Reuben’s first exhibit, titled “Pilipino Ako, Ito Ang Aking Lahi,” in 2023 was made possible under the auspices of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). While being stuck in his house due to the pandemic, he had his hands full with painting and produced works sufficient to form a collection, ready for the public appreciation.
“‘Pag gising ko, mag-go-Google ako ng artist grant for exhibit, tumambad sa (akin) yung NCCA (when I woke up one day, I decided to Google ‘artist grant for exhibit’ and that led me to an announcement of NCCA),” said he. “(It was a) nationwide search for 12 grantees. Every year, they give grants. Thankfully, salamat sa Diyos dahil binigay Niya sa akin yung biyaya at yung pagkakataon to exhibit (I thanked the Lord for the blessing and the chance to exhibit my artworks).”
In such a career-defining event, National Artist for Music Ryan “Mr. C” Cayabyab graced and did the ceremonial ribbon cutting, with Floy Quintos, a Philippine culture advocate, as a resource speaker during the artist reception.
From there, the emerging, establishing visual artist has continued to paint and produce works.
His piece “Pasko Na,” on the other hand, was part of the “Spirit of Thanksgiving” exhibit at the SEAMEO INNOTECH gallery last December.
His paintings have also been featured in his live gigs.
“Last year, I was asked by Moy (Ortiz of The CompanY) to perform for the ‘Pinoy Playlist Music Festival,’ the annual music festival at BGC, and by the Bonifacio Art Foundation,” said he. “Ito yung gusto kong gawin, out of the box (This is what I wanted to do, something out of the box). I was able to meld or blend my passion (for the visual arts) with my passion for the performing arts.
“(While) I was singing OPM, my works, such as portraits about mothers and siblings that corresponded and were related to the song subjects, flashed on the screen as background.”
The show’s title at the said music festival was “SINGING BISWAL: Filipino Vibrant Melodies and Captivating Filipino-themed Canvases,” where Reuben did the Andre Castillo (also a former member of The CompanY) arrangement for the Ryan Cayabyab tribute medley.
Having his paintings complement his performances seems to be a norm. Reuben has a painting, titled “The CompanY at 40 in 2025,” which is his tribute to the legendary quartet and premiere vocal group, with Moy Ortiz, Annie Quintos, Sweet Plantado and OJ Mariano as current members.
And the marriage between performing and painting is what Reuben wants to pursue. His dream is to have an hour-and-a-half concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), showcasing his versatility as a singer and his artworks being projected on the screen. His paintings are exhibited in the lobby.
“The vibrant tapestry of the Philippine culture,” said Reuben of the images, including local mythology, folklore, celebrations and Filipino women, his paintings explore and express. “I also get inspiration from national heroes, or victories of Filipinos, but I have not worked on that yet. I’m working on my stamp series.”
From his knowledge, encompassing memories and recollections about the Philippine culture and heritage, he would doodle on paper first and later transfer the image to a canvas.
“As an artist, I want to do galleries, I want to do exhibits,” said he, who also described himself as an independent artist, singing and performing career-wise.
Reuben will continue to perform before local and international audiences as he pursues his visual arts pursuits.