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