CARLYLE - Many local residents have met Roy Rutagines and his wife Diane Villamor.
They were both born in the Philippines and Villamor moved here seven years ago. Rutagines came here in 2016 from Kuwait, where he was employed in the food services industry for 11 years. Rutagines still works at the Bear Claw Casino while Villamor was an attendant at the Carlyle Co-op Convenience Store.
Both are now employed with the Saskatchewan Health Authority at the New Hope Pioneer Lodge in Stoughton. Rutagines also works at Moose Mountain Lodge in Carlyle. They have an 18-year-old daughter Danielle, who completed her Grade 12 schooling in Carlyle.
For years, Rutagines has loved performing and is a well-known karaoke singer. He also plays the guitar and sings pop, country and ballad songs. He enjoys being on stage at the nursing homes where he works, providing their residents and staff with hours of entertainment every month.
He also performs for weddings and other family functions.
“I have always liked singing and love having a microphone in my hands,” said Rutagines.
While working in Kuwait, Rutagines won many musical awards including being a grand finalist in various national singing competitions over the years. He has also performed at the Bear Claw Casino and with the Cornerstone Theatre Group.
Additional performances are planned there after medical restrictions are relaxed.
Rutagines is on YouTube and has nearly 3,000 followers. You can find him there at Roy Rutagines. He also has a Facebook page. Rutagines and Villamor enjoy living in Carlyle and are happy to call Canada their home.
