Top Ten Highlights of David Archuleta in Manila 2017

13:11:00 APRILSKELTER 3 Comments

It is pointless to deny how much I have missed him. Because I really did, miss him. And this is where I apologise for the lengthy blog post that is nothing but fitting to cover the past five years since I last saw him.

Who is him? David Archuleta, of course.

Just when you thought you've overcome the fangirling phase, David Archuleta comes back and awakens your every being. It feels like being 17 all over again.

The Philippines has always been so special to him as the Filipino fans are such resilient and supportive bunch from the start of his career up to now. That love has never wavered even when he was away for his Mormon mission and through the whole process of coming up with a new album. It is not surprising when the Manila show was announced.

So, here I will be listing my top ten moments from the Archu-week that it has been (I have not used that term in years but might as well go large!)

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10. Postcard in the Sky is released!

After two wonderful EP's Leo and Orion, David has finally blessed the world with an LP called Postcards in the Sky and what's the best way to spoil the Filipino fans but to set its release date on the day of the Manila concert itself, right? PCITS may have to be my favourite DA record as it speaks so much of how David and his music has grown through the years and it tugs so many strings in the heart of his struggles and realisations from his Chilean mission and life as a whole. My top picks are Cracks of Heaven, Aiming For Hope, Someone to Love (Ooooh, have you found the one then? hmm?), Upset With Me (intriguing) and Seasons (such emotions).

Do check it out on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon !!

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9. Instagram Stories!

He's late to the fad given the time that he's spent out of the limelight but on a brighter note, he's been updating an awful lot on his Instagram now, too much to everyone's delight. From the airport with the fans up to the food (tapsilog and halu-halo, anyone?), you're doing amazing, sweetie.

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8. Radio/TV Guestings galore!

When I learned that he will arrive on a Monday when the show is set on Friday, I should have known that there will be loads of promotion but it has never prepared me for the mass of radio and TV guestings that I have not caught up on even up to this date.

My favourites so far (I'm really yet to catch up) are the following:

Brgy LS FM radio guesting where he's been such a goofball, interacting with fans, dancing to Baby Shark and saying "petmalu lodi".

'Up All Night' acoustic performance at the Wish FM Bus

Rappler Live Jam's Crush (this brings all the nostalgia)

BONUS! The When in Manila Emoji Challenge (He doesn't age, man.)

Thank the heavens for jackryan for coming up with a playlist of all of his TV/Radio exposures and you could binge-watch it here (if you still cannot get enough of him and you miss him).

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7. Holt Philippines

David with kids. That is all.

Yesterday we went with our friends at Holt Philippines (Holt International) to visit the different foundations they work with, including (going in order of the pictures other than the 1st one) a home for single pregnant mothers that are alone, orphans that they've helped receive scholarships and support, a community school for little kids, and families that have benefited from the schools. As we've been partnering with Holt in our shows, it was amazing and touching to see more hands-on what they do for kids from the beginning of their lives to adulthood. I also got my first tricycle ride with one of the dads of the families we met. The first picture is with my new friend Rafa who rode with us and was sad when we had to leave 😢. He was adopted by one of the staff members that was with us. Holt finds homes for orphans but also prevents that need by strengthening homes and communities. I really hope to adopt a kid someday when I have my own family. Until then I hope to help however I can. Saturday we met with many from the Nandito Ako family! (The mini-series we filmed last time we were here) As we leave the Philippines, I reflect on all these great new memories I'm taking home. The last photo is with some of the Ovation Production crew who took such wonderful care of us! Salamat Philippines!! Until next time! To find out more about Holt, check out Holtinternational.org #philippines #holtinternational #holtphilippines #kaisahangbuhayfoundation

A post shared by David Archuleta (@davidarchie) on Oct 22, 2017 at 4:19pm PDT

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6. An Archuleta Philippines reunion!

This is what I have been looking forward to the most, if I am being honest , aside from seeing David perform, of course. I have been friends with these people for years and you kind of seen them grow along as you would. From student fangirls to young professionals, we've stuck with each other and we have David's music to thank for that. Some of them I even have met in person for the very first time, would you believe? It felt like you knew someone from every row and that is quite cool.

I had to grab the chance and take photos of them, meet & greet style haha. Thank you, Caren!

2011.

2017. Nothing much has changed....except...we struggle to fit on one frame now. haha

The team even had a really special Postcards fan project and David loved it.

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5. Cover the event as a "media person"

When Kuya Jayson Paor of MNL Online News has offered for me to kind of cover the event months before the show I was like, are you kidding me? Is this for freaking real? Not only would I get to see David but I would also get to write an article about him? He's been a long-time friend of mine (aka I have been bugging him since his Bands magazine editor-in-chief days aka high school days when song magazines are still a thing and I have loads of Bands mag at home. I am basically a huge fan of the publication and OPM bands and the scene as a whole. And it is not a secret that I am also into writing/blogging. Moving on...) though we are yet to meet in person. He and my friend Caren (who covers stuff for Manila Concert Junkies) have also met even before we get the chance to. ANYWAY, to cut the story short we are supposed to meet on the concert day but he has to attend to some more important things.... but I still get to cover the event.

I tried to not sound too biased (making this one of the hardest things to write) but I mean, you know, David.... is perfect. He he. (nope, but yes)

You can read the recap of the night here and I cannot thank Kuya Jayson enough for this wonderful experience and for basically making one of my dreams come true.

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4. Hashtag friendship/fangirl goals with Caren!

Our love for music has paved the way for us to meet and we've been hanging out, eating, traveling together despite her residing in the East and me being a North girl. We used to attend concerts and festivals together in the past but never would I have thought that the first event that Caren and I would get to cover together (albeit for different websites) is at one of my most favourite musicians’ gig. From fangirling together to covering events together (still fangirling, but she gets to take photos and I get to write articles this time haha). We certainly are feeling it!

I still cry. THIS REALLY HAPPENED.

#frenshipgoals

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3. THE CONCERT EXPERIENCE

David is such a talented musician, that's a given and he's making every performance a remarkable experience. He sounds just as impressive as the studio version, every melody sung so heartfelt and he gives long and personal banters and engages with the fans every single time. It is, however, not a David show if he doesn't mess up with his lyrics or his keys when he plays but it is the spontaneity that's really one of his admirable traits whenever he performs on stage.

I did not take a lot of photos and videos as I want to live more in the moment, singing and dancing along with my friends. It is one of the most memorable concerts that I have attended, ever.

'Try to reach out to you, touch my hand..'

'Is this quiet enough so people can hear the real message?'

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2. OPM Songs

He has released an all OPM song-record after all and it is but fitting to sing them for the Filipino fans. What an emotional night! He even cried during Nandito Ako, overwhelmed by all the support that he's been getting even after all these years. (We still love you, David. We never stopped.)

Credit: Thank you, Tita Naree for capturing this endearing moment.

Last but not the least,

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1. Meet him (again)

It was never planned. AT ALL. I'd like to think that it really is just meant-to-be. I've resigned to the fact that I may not be able to join in any of the festivities given the day job and adulting stuff and all but it is like we really are bound to meet again at one point.

So our friends from AP have been planning to welcome him in two groups: the airport and the hotel and luckily I just got off from work when it was confirmed that his official residence for the week-long stay is going to be just a block away from our office and so, still in my uniform, off to the hotel I went to join the team.

We have the humongous welcome back banner but we were not able to show it to him. We could have missed him in seconds as he's arrived while Jenna and I were still at the girl's room but even though he's just came in from a long flight, he's gladly interacted and took photos with us. He's said he liked Jenna's shirt (she's wearing a Totoro shirt) and me being all awkward, showed him my Totoro socks (yes, I removed my shoe IN FRONT OF HIM. The world stopped. I was so awkward haha). I think at the back of my mind I was hoping I'd get to see him that day so I unconsciously wore that pair of socks specifically. We welcomed him and he's said he's really happy to be back. I was so out of my mind that I didn't get to tell him how much I loved Seasons (a song that you will get when you pre-download the album at that time) and of how I wish he'd sing it on Friday. And of how he should sing Christmas songs as the Philippines is so into the hols. We did not get to ask him for a shoutout to Archuleta Philippines but overall, there are no regrets; especially seeing his huge, glowing smile, overwhelmed by all the fan interaction that night.

Matchy-matchy v. 1.0. 2012.

Matchy-matchy v. 2.0. 2017.
The glo-up. HE is still so humble.
But really, he hasn't aged at all.
(Thank you, Glen for this candid photo. We actually looked like a couple lol)

The past few days has made me realised that fangirling isn't just a phase but it is a part of who I am and I am grateful for how far we've all come ever since we decided to support this man. We've grown, we've matured in all aspects of life. For all the connections that I have established, for the friendships that I get to keep. For the love and inspiration that we get to share to the world as we decide to live our lives in our own terms, guided by God's light (his music has made me reflect a lot and it is all for the best). For aiming for hope and shining the light in each others' lives. For not giving up on life.

Thank you, David Archuleta.

Thank you, Ovation Productions.

Thank you, Kari Sellards and his crew for taking good care of him.

I hope you guys don't ever get tired of coming back.

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I thought this empty house was being more quiet

But I can hear your voice whisper loud

I close my eyes and it's like

You're still here with me

Without you I thought it would be a ghost town

I was afraid that my heart would stop

It hurts from missing you