The MUSIC FESTIVALS
It was future multi-awardee, hit songwriter, and perennial festival winner Jungee Marcelo, who would notice Reuben's gift of song interpretation. Jungee was the first person that expressed his faith in Reuben, and in his ability to interpret songs. This would eventually convince him to encourage Reuben to sing the song that he would enter for a songwriting contest in 1992, the Katipunan Songwriting Festival. The song was "Bayaning Nasa 'Yo" (The Hero in You), which Reuben also recorded as part of the commemorative album. The song won Jungee Marcelo the second prize, and so this was the start of the composer/interpreter team of Jungee and Reuben Laurente.
Reuben felt even better when he was asked again by Jungee Marcelo to interpret his entry for the First Philippine International Music Festival a.k.a. "Musika Manila", which was sponsored by the Department of Tourism (headed by Sec. Mina Gabor then) and PARI or the Philippine Association of the Record Industry in 1995. The winning song gets to represent the country in the staging of its very first international song festival and so the pressure was on. On the day of the search for the Philippines' official entry, Reuben felt the pressure of giving a great performance because he believed in the song and that it had all the ingredients for a winning festival song, so all he needed to do was to interpret "All in the Spirit of Love" right by getting the message through the audience and judges. But for Jungee and Reuben, the most important part in the competition was surrendering, and just giving it all up to GOD, that if it is his will, then His will be done. With so much prayer and anticipation, they went on to have the distinction of representing the country at its very first international song fest which was held at the Folk Arts Theater. The song festival was won by Peru while Jungee and Reuben won the second prize for the Philippines.
Through the years, Reuben Laurente has become a favorite choice to interpret for various national and international festivals. Here are some of them.
1992 - Interpreter "Katipunan Centennial Songwriting Festival"
Song title: "Bayaning Nasa 'Yo" (the Hero in You)
Composer: Jungee Marcelo
Second Prize Winner
1995 - Interpreter - First Philippine International Music Festival a.k.a. Musika Manila
Song Title: "All in the Spirit of Love"
Composer: Jungee Marcelo
Second Prize Winner
1996 - Interpreter - MusikOCW Song Festival
Song Title: "Bayani Kang Tunay"
Composer: Jungee Marcelo
Grand Winner
1998
1. Interpreter - Philippine Centennial Songwriting Festival
TV Show: EAT Bulaga (GMA 7)
Song Title: "Isang Daang Taong Pamana"
Composer: Soc Villanueva
Grand Winner
2. Interpreter - Metropop Song Festival (GMA 7)
Songe Title: "Kailan Pa?"
Composer: Robert David
1999 - Interpreter - Glory International Songwriting Contest
Song Title: "Panalangin"
Composer: Ronnie Azor
Grand Winner
2000 - Interpreter along with 92 AD
"Himig Handog sa Bayaning Pilipino" (ABS CBN 2)
Song Title: "Ang Galing Mo (Bayaning Pilipino)"
Composer: Enrico Sta. Maria
2002 - Interpreter - USA Songwriting Contest
Song Title: "Ito Na!"
Composers: Reuben Laurente and Markel Luna
Finalist: World Music Category
2003
1. Interpreter - USA Songwriting Contest
Song Title: "Ikaw ay Ikaw Pa Rin"
Composer: Markel Luna and Gj German Gomez
Winner: World Music Category
2. Interpreter - Unang Pinoy Music Festival (RPN 9)
Songe Title: "Ikay ay Ikaw Pa Rin"
Composers: Markel Luna and Gj German Gomez
3. Interpreter along with DESSA - The 2003 METRO
Song Title: "Pag ang Puso ang Nagsabi"
Composer: Soc Villanueva
2004 - Interpreter - Sound of the Human World
Taiwan, Rep. of China
Song Title: "Wear A Smile"
Composer: Riva Singson
2005 - Interpreter - IABC Sing Young Songwriting Contest
Song title: "Pagmamahal na Walang Wakas"
Composer: Christine Deptowicz Bendebel
2006 - Interpreter - Anti-Corruption Songwriting Festival
Song Title: "I Am A Shield"
Composer: Ruben Lopez Jr.
2007 - one of the Philippine representatives
World Championships of the Performing Arts
Los Angeles, USA (July 28 - Aug 5, 2007)
2015 - Interpreter - 20th USA Songwriting Contest
Inspritational/Religious Category
Song Title: "Same Sky"
Composer: Gino Torres
Finalist

IKAW AY IKAW PA RIN
Winner: World Music Category
2003 USA Songwriting Contest
Composers: GJ German Gomez / Markel Luna
(appearing on the photo image respectively)
Interpreter: Reuben Laurente
featuring the folk chants of
Philippine Musicologist Grace Nono


















" All things work together for good to those who love God, and are called according to His purpose. "
-Romans 8 : 28




