Asia buzz!

GMA News:

David Archuleta charms Filipinos anew during his third visit

Last night's concert marked David Archuleta's third time to perform in the Philippines but with the warm reception given to him at the Araneta Coliseum, it seems that Pinoys can't get enough of the charming singer.

David first came to the Philippines with David Cook in 2009 and again in 2010 for the launch of his album, The Other Side of Down.

As soon as the American Idol Season 7 runner-up came out on stage singing "Stomping the Roses," audience members started dancing to the beat while others stood up on their seats to get a better view of the American singer.

David kept on jumping up and down and walking across the stage as he performed "The Other Side of Down," culled from his latest album of the same name.

As soon as his song ended, David shouted: "Kamusta kayo, Manila?"

The crowd reacted with cheers and applause as David continued: "It's so good to be back here. It's been amazing."

Wearing a gray shirt and red jacket throughout the concert, David liked to gesture with his hands and walk around the stage.

Some of the songs that he performed last night include "A Little Too Not Over You," "Don't Let Go," and his version of the Tears For Fears song "Everybody Wants To Rule The World."

When he sang "Something 'Bout Love," he gave up mic duties for a while to let the crowd sing their hearts out.

For his next song, production set up a keyboard to let David play. He told the crowd that when people ask him if he likes blondes or brunettes, he points out: "I wonder if she likes to go to a theme park..."

He then sat down on the keyboards to play his song "My Kind of Perfect."

He performed the keyboards for the second time when he played "A Thousand Miles," which he admitted reminds him of his mom.

He expressed his gratitude for his Pinoy fans by telling them: "I would really fly a thousand miles to see you guys."

For one of his songs last night, he sang "Elevator" and asked different sections of the Big Dome to sing along with him. He was very pleased with the results, prompting him to exclaim, "Good job, Manila!"

At around 10 p.m., David said that his last song would be "Zero Gravity." He thanked the audience and went backstage but the crowd kept on shouting, "We want more!"

After a few seconds, David was all-smiles as he went back out and announced, "I'd like to perform a few more songs. You guys are just so amazing. This totally encourages me. This song is what I did on Hollywood Week [on American Idol Season 7]. It's a song called 'Heaven.'"

Before he left the stage, David made hearts flutter with his declaration, "Mahal ko kayo!"

For his final song last night, he went all out in singing "Crush."

FRONT ACT. Wearing a sequined cropped jacket, black gloves and an all-black ensemble, Julie Anne San Jose served as the front act last night.

The GMA-7 singer-actress performed songs such as "Edge of Glory" and "California King Bed."

During the concert, David praised Julie Anne by saying that "she has an awesome voice."

Charice's mother, Mommy Raquel, watched the concert along with Charice's manager, Grace Mendoza.

They revealed that Charice is slated to return to the Philippines in time for the David Foster and Friends concert that will take place at the Araneta Coliseum on October 25.

Based on the strong support shown for David, he can very well be considered a "token nice guy" (a term used in his song "Stomping the Roses") who will always be welcome on Philippine shores.

Manila Bulletin:

Third time's the charm: Archuleta electrifies fans at the Araneta

MANILA, Philippines – There must be “something ‘bout” David Archuleta that keeps his Filipino fans wanting “everything and more” from him. 
Although already on his third visit---he first set foot on our shores in 2009 (with “American Idol” Season 7 champ David Cook) and then in 2010 to promote his album, “The Other Side Of Down (TOSOD)” ---Archuleta continues to amaze his Filipino fans.

This was most palpable during his first major solo concert in the country, “David Archuleta… Live” held at the Araneta Coliseum last July 18 where fans screamed, sang, grooved to his songs as if they were hearing them for the first time.

Archuleta didn't even have to bother with an elaborate stage set-up, filling up the bare stage instead with his signature soulful singing style and that dynamic stage presence. He’s obviously much more confident and comfortable on stage now, harnessed by his constant touring post-AI.

His Filipino fans stood on their seats when he opened his 18-song set with “Stomping The Roses,” a track from “TOSOD.” Few sat down throughout the almost one-and-a-half hour show, with the 20-year-old singer-songwriter taking no breaks except to recharge his vocal cords by downing water in between songs.
Singing non-stop may have affected his voice, as there were times when he seemed to be experiencing shortness of breath. In “Something ‘Bout Love,” Archuleta noticeably sang on the lower register at the latter part of the song. Though quite unusual, it didn’t sound off.

Amid these minor vocal issues, Archuleta was attacking every word and note in earnest, whether it’s an upbeat song like “The Other Side Of Down,” or a slow one such as “Falling Stars.”

His set, of course, included what may well be considered as “staples” in his shows, such as “Crush,” “Touch My Hand,” and “A Little Too Not Over You.” However, it felt kind of redundant to hear him sing Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles” and Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” (with a bit of Sean Kingston’s “Beautiful Girls”), as he already did this during his concert with Cook.  Archuleta has a good number of songs from “TOSOD”  such as “Who I Am,” “Complain” and “Look Around,” and fans would've loved to hear them performed live.

Archuleta paid tribute to the 80s, an era he’s a fan of, by singing Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants To Rule The World.” If “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson and ex-judge Paula Abdul were there, they would’ve probably told him, “you made that song your own and made it accessible to the younger crowd.”

The young crooner also did versions of Daniel Bedingfield’s “Gotta Get Thru This” and Bryan Adams’ “Heaven.” The former, in particular, left the fans in awe as it allowed Archuleta  to do some show-stopping vocal acrobatics towards the end.

The concert won’t be complete without Archuleta playing the piano. Some hearts probably melted when he sang “My Kind Of Perfect”---a song he wrote for the special girl he’s yet to meet.

It was also while performing with the piano that one of the most noteworthy parts of the show took place.  At one point during his performance of “A Thousand Miles,” Archuleta missed a key on the keyboard, which distracted him. His fans cheered him on, and after a few seconds, their idol was back on his element. He made the second half of the song even better, changing a part of the lyrics: “Coz you know I’d fly a thousand miles, if I can just see you tonight.”

After the performance, Archuleta, chuckling, told his fans, “You make me freeze…”

“I flew a thousand miles just to see you…” he added, eliciting even more squeals especially from the girls in the audience.

Having been to the country multiple times has made Archuleta quite the expert in delivering common Filipino phrases. There wasn’t much twang when Archuleta said, “Kumusta Manila? (How are you Manila?),” “Salamat (Thank you),” and “Mahal ko kayo (I love you all).”

He also gave a shout-out to his front act, Julie Anne San Jose. As Archuleta himself said in his interview with GMA-7, the “Party Pilipinas” regular was his personal choice for the task.

The fans didn’t let go of Archuleta easily. After he left the stage following his 16th and supposed last song, “Zero Gravity,” the Big Dome was filled with loud chants of “We want more!” It didn’t take long for Archuleta to come out again for an encore.

Archuleta gave his fans not only a memorable night but something to think about. At one point, he encouraged the audience to go for their dreams and do so their way.
We wouldn’t be surprised if Archuleta returns to the country a fourth time and fans would still flock to his show.

Kanwanku Magazine:

Rain cry and Gifts for David Archuleta

Saturday (16 / 7) last night so special night for the Archangels Indonesia. After a long wait and lose the stream requests enggak, David Archuleta appears also in Jakarta.

Enerjik appearance and full of smiles Archie successful entertaining the fans who pack Pond's Teens Concert at the Field D, Senayan, Jakarta. Despite the tarnish and muddy field conditions, but it reduces enggak enthusiasm of many fans already at the venue since afternoon.

Archie had come forward with a white t-shirt wrapped in reddish pink shirt that night, showcasing the incredible vocal. In fact, Indonesia is one of lucky fans, so we asked the first person to hear some new songs on the album The Other Side of the Down's Asian Tour Edition has just been released, live.

For about one hour and thirty minutes, Archie is enggak never stopped singing the song. Obviously if on stage, singing and serious Archie enggak much chat. But on several occasions, this guy could tell how much he was enjoying his first visit to Indonesia.

While Archie enggak too much discretion, the Archangels enggak disappointed. Archie always reply to question their shouts with a smile and waving. Archie also would like to take gifts from the fans sodorkan on stage. He's the sweetest!

More complete story of my friend listen in magazines 104 and 105 editions later, Dad. Fuller, more exciting!

Yahoo! Indonesia:

Since winning two of American Idol in 2008, David Archuleta is no longer as adolescents age. Everyday busy life filled with promo tours, concerts, media interviews, and a host of other things related to a musical career.

But that does not mean the man born December 28, 1990 was later to be snobby. When talking with Yahoo! Indonesia the day before his appearance at the Ponds Teens Concert, David shows the attitude of friendly, humble, even shy impressed. On his first visit to Asia this time too he did not hesitate to announce that he loves lemper.

"I just try to eat lemper, and it is one of the delicious food I've ever felt," said the musician who advanced to play the guitar and piano.

What else is talking about David with Yahoo! Indonesia OMG! Consider the conversation below.

MSN: When 12 years old, you never sing the American national anthem at a stadium in front of crowds. Then on July 3 last, you come back to sing the national anthem before thousands of people. How do you feel?
David: It was great! I'm performing in a stadium named the Stadium of Fire in my home town, Utah, and yesterday we had a surprise the audience. Before I perform, they play the video clip when I sing the national anthem at the age of 12 years. In the middle, the video was cut off and continued with me singing live on stage. It was great. And the audience a lot, there are about 15 thousand people. That includes very much for the size of Utah. Then in the event that there is also Brad Paisley, my favorite country singer. I really like the song, entitled "When I Get Where I'm Going".

Do you like country music?
I like all kinds of music, but because the latter is often to Nashville, I more often listen to country.

Do you have goals other than to be a singer?
Since childhood I've fallen in love with music, so it have always wanted to be a musician. But I had little time to think want to be a zoo keeper, because I love animals. Looks like hell just my expertise in music. I do not have any other skills. Luckily I now be a musician, if not, I do not know what else I can do.

In Indonesia are now known to many musicians who came from YouTube. Do you think?
Times have changed. Now everything depends on the technology continues to evolve, and YouTube is one of them. Just look at Justin. He is a perfect example of someone who could "blow up" only because of YouTube. I have a friend named Kina Grannis, he also included one person who gained popularity through YouTube. Now fans aplenty.

Whether you're a technology literacy?
Do not know ya. I spent much time in front of the laptop, but I'm not a gadget freak. I do not really care about the latest gadgets, even once the iPad. I'm trying to not be too "familiar" with the iPad because I do not want to have dependence on a gadget. During a tour in Asia this, I did not even turn on my cell phone at all.

You're active in church and as a scout. Are you really "good boy"?
Hahaha ... It looks like yes.

Did you ever skip school?
No. Hahaha ... I was a child who avidly, never wanted to miss school, I never want to come late every morning. Even when sick I do not even want to leave school. One day I'm feeling sick, but I still go to school. Lunch hour, I called my mother, asking him to pick me up because I was sick. Having picked up and went home, I vomited several times, and I told my mom, "Okay, Mom. Now please deliver me to school again. I do not want to miss a lesson." First my grades always A. But that ended when I joined American Idol. Hahaha ...

What you look like when high school?
Looks like I'm one of those a nerd. At school, I was very shy and did not talk much. My friends gave me the nickname Smiley Boy because I rarely talk, but I'm always smiling. I'm also happy laugh. There are some children who likes to make trouble at school, there are some who like to be funny, but I went along. I just smile and laugh. Hahaha ...