It’s called the “leonine look,” inspired by a European rugby player and a California surfer and it is making Lance a trendsetter of sort.

He confirmed that that was part of a new image he’d like to project. That’s only a small part though of what he’d like to change in him.

“I’m more serious now, especially in my showbiz career,” Lance said. “Before, it was as if I was only playing. But after some serious thinking, I decided to list down my priorities. Before, I really couldn’t take off seriously in my career kasi hati ang oras ko. I have my business to attend too also. So what I did was to put my business in order first. Tinutukan ko ito for one year. And now, I feel I believe it could function on its own now with my trusted people. I now can work full time in showbiz. I’m really serious with my career now.” Lance has a thriving trading business.

In that one year, Lance said he learned a lot. And so he’s so excited about his showbiz comeback.
What he can’t be serious with he said, is his lovelife. Not at this time when he’s very focused on his career.

“Did you know that I almost got married two years ago? I had this girlfriend I was seriously involved with and  of course we planned to get married but something got in the way.” The song “You Are the One,” Lance’s first hit single, was especially written for his ex-girlfriend.

Just recently, Lance got involved with a foreigner, a pretty model who flies in and out of the country. But she’s the scandalous type, someone told us, and in a five-star restaurant where they dined, she created a scene which caught the attention of other diners. Lance just laughed  this off when we mentioned it to him. “That was over, wala na kami,” he said. There was also a photo of the two of them in a very sexy pose (where a cylinder obscured their private parts). “That was just for private consumption,” Lance said.

We reminded Lance of the many talents now emerging from every corner of the metropolis and he said “I’m aware that there’s a lot of competition out there, and this is why I’m giving my best now to my career.” He knows that there are many challenges for him to face.

Lance joined showbiz in May 2000 with the release of his debut album under Viva Records, simply titled “Lance Raymundo.” His first single “You Are the One” quickly made it to the Top 10 and that is why he gained recognition quite easily.

After a year of promoting his album, Lance explored his other talents and also ventured into hosting and acting. He hosted  various major events as well as beauty pageants. He also won the nod of theater aficionados for his critically acclaimed portrayal of Romeo Montague in Gantimpala Theater Foundation’s stage presentation of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.”

All of Lance’s achievements in the field of entertainment paved way to his victory in 2003’s Aliw Awards where he was voted the “Most Promising Entertainer of the Year.”

After receiving his Aliw Award, Lance took a vacation from showbiz. Coming from a family of businessmen, Lance is also a business executive himself. When he entered showbiz in 2000, Lance was a fresh college graduate and was given the opportunity to handle one of the family’s major businesses. At the same time, he was also given the chance to become a recording artist and a celebrity. He wanted both, so he took a deep breath and bravely plunged into both careers at the same time. Managing two careers at the same time did not allow Lance to have the luxury to go full time in his first love, showbiz. The Aliw Award triggered off his decision to stay in showbiz and try to be among the best.

This is why, this time he has taken his showbiz career very seriously.

As a starter, on Sept. 28, Lance will have a special concert at Dish at ABS–CBN. It is a show which he himself conceptualized and will direct with his manager, Angie Magbanua as production consultant. Ric Mercado is musical director.

Lance’s special guests will be The Solid Gold Dancers, Lea Florida and Rainbow Reyes. Florante  Reyes in real life, Rainbow is also Lance’s new vocal trainer. Interestingly, Rainbow is a wedding and special events planner who also worked with the Department of Tourism (DoT) before, singing and directing shows here and abroad.

For this special show at Dish, designer Alcs S. Porras will be doing Lance’s costumes, mostly denim suits he said. Alcs has been Lance’s wardrobe consultant and designer for six years now. Alcs is known as an underground/streetwear fashion guru.

Indeed, “Lance Raymundo @ The Dish” promises to be a major production for everyone to see and enjoy.

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Another exciting hair event is forthcoming

Hair Asia’s 14th National Open Championship for Hairstyling & Make-up will outdo itself this year with bigger prizes, more celebrities and over the top numbers worthy of the Academy Awards!

Hair Asia suki Bouian Casenas finally had his day when the Batangueño emerged overall champion in the 14th national open Championship for Hairstyling & Make-up, held last March at  the World Trade Center. Casenas won top awards in the Men’s Creative Cut & Colour (2nd runner-up), Bridal Makeup (1st runner-up) and Commercial Make-up (grand prize) categories. As overall champ, Casenas joins Salon Spectacular winner Danilo Cepillo and a handful of Hair Asia delegates in Milan, Italy, site of the 2004 World Hair Olympics this October. Other winners of the hair and make-up industry’s highly anticipated event include Jay Bonde (grand prize), Bambi Navarro (1st runner-up) and Rudy Reponte (2nd runner-up) in the Ladies Creative Cut & Colour Category; Joel Tayag (grand prize) and Ardel Teodoro (1st runnerup) in the Men’s Creative Cut & Colour Category; Gaspar Berin (1st runner-up) and Rolando Garcia ( 2nd runner-up) in the Commercial Make-up Category; and Patrick Hermosa (grand prize) and Rollie Catingco (2nd runner-up) in the Bridal Makeup Category.

Hosted by Hair Asia publisher and events organizer Evelyn Alvaran–Cruz, actress Lani Mercado and actor/model Reggie Curley, the annual competition celebrated the salon stylists’ talent and creativity with  exciting production numbers. Hong Kong hairstylists Duncan Lai and Perrier Lai gave live demos on edgy models in a flamboyant segment introducing Profix, one of three new brands of the popular Splash Professional. (Foot spa line of Biologics and facial care series; Skin Fit were also unveiled through a slick video presentation). On hand to witness  Lai’s dramatic display of haircutting was Splash Corporation CEO Dr. Rolando Hortaleza, and HBC CEO Dra. Rosalinda Hortaleza.

Angelo Justin, Patrick Rosas, Victor Ortega, Leony Diaz, Jinky Ilusorio, Bambi Fuentes, Lawrence Leuterio and Joey Buenflor were recipients of the San San Cosmetics-sponsored segment called “Make–up Artist of the Year.”

Appropriately, it was Hair Asia Hall of fame awardee James Cooper who stole the show with a dazzling fantasy segment that included airborne dancers dressed as otherworldly creatures. Douglas Nierras directed this dreamy production number interpreted by the Powerdance and thoroughly enjoyed by audiences including Cooper who thanked a host of people for making his segment a truly memorable one worthy of an Oscar night.

Of course, no one was more pleased that Alvaran-Cruz herself who pulled out all the stops to honor and uplift the skills and morale of local hair and makeup artists. “I think the goal each year is to try to outdo ourselves,” gushed the indefatigable publisher and events organizer in between segments. From the looks of things, it appears that Hair Asia has.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Sept. 26, go to art patron and banker Danny L. Dolor, Lizza G. Nakpil, Marieliese S. Evaristo, Polie Aquino, former broadcaster/journalist Jojo Taduran who is now Canada-based, Dr. Socorro  Bartolome of Pila, Laguna, Flordeliz Belen-Beraquit of QC Post Office, Frine Meliton, Cecille B. Salonga, Dolores Perez Quiamboa, Rudy Guevara, Ma. Pilar B. Aquino, Dr. Rainelda Jarin, and Christine Villar-Pineda... Best wishes to Fernando A. Placio and Analyn J. Cunanan who’re tying the knot today at St. Agustine Parish Church...