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Manila Bulletin Publishin
David Archuleta salutes Filipino artists via OPM album
By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ
February 17, 2012, 4:22am
David Archuleta: Messenger of music (Photo by JOJO P. PANALIGAN)
MANILA, Philippines – Making an all-English OPM album isn’t just a special treat for his fans, but iit s international idol David Archuleta’s way of paying homage to Filipino artists.
Although the album “Forevermore” contains his renditions of some of the most well-loved OPM songs, the “American Idol” Season 7 runner-up does not intend to be compared with the original singers.
“I wouldn’t say that I sound better than the original singers because the singers here are so amazing. But I would hope that I could pay tribute to them with this album,” said he at the press conference for the album.
David is known for his soulful singing and this stems from how much premium he puts in conveying the message of the songs.
“You just try to do your best so that people won’t bother comparing you to the original singer, so that people just connect to your performance and the song and what it’s about. As a singer your job is never to be compared to someone else. You just hope that you can give justice to the song… and allow people to connect to it…” he related.
It was David’s first time to make an album like “Forevermore.” But unlike in his previous albums, he didn’t have as much time for recording.
He recalled recording “Forevermore” for just a few days, shortly after he came from Singapore for some engagements.
He lauded his producers Jimmy Antiporda and South Border’s Jay Durias for being “great musicians.”
“We recorded three songs in a day, not to mention Jimmy will also arrange the songs [and] right there and then we move on to the next song… It was really fast so I give big props to Jimmy and Jay for what they’re able to accomplish in such a short time,” David said.
The singer-songwriter admitted that he isn’t used to such a fast-paced process. Nevertheless, the venture made him realize how much he’s grown as artist.
“In my life I tend to be very slow. So it’s nice to know that I can do things quickly and still be okay with it. Sometimes I’d be like, ‘Ugh, I wish I had more time’ but it’s like, ‘You know what, we still did our best with the time that we have…’
“I’ve realized… how I’ve been able to make decisions a lot faster, how I’ve been able to learn what I want or don’t want, to have been able to speak up more,” said David.
Songs included in his album are the title track, “Hold On” (both by Side A), “You Are My Song” (Martin Nievera) “I’ll Never Go” (Nexxus), “Tell Me” (Joey Albert), “Reaching Out” (Gary Valenciano), and “Rainbow” (South Border).
In the same media huddle, Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-Aawit president Ogie Alcasid handed David a plaque of appreciation for recording an OPM album.
Since he won’t be in the country for the release of “Forevermore” in March under Ivory Music and Video, Inc., David did a pre-sale signing of the album last Feb. 13 at SM Megamall.
In spite of his tight schedule (he’s been in the Philippines for about a month already for various commitments), David manages to prepare spiritually for his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints.
Prayers, he noted, keeps him “in touch” with his Creator.
“There’s nothing like the power of prayer,” he said.
David acknowledges that his decision to go on hiatus for the Mormon mission has not been easy, yet he is certain “I have to go.”
“It’s something I can’t play out forever. For anyone going out to a mission, there’s never the right time to go because it’s always gonna be a hard decision to make, it’s always gonna be a sacrifice, but that’s the point of every mission,” he said.
Photo break 
credit: The hairdresser pinantonio
thePOC.net
Philippine Online Chronicle
David Archuleta records OPM album
Friday, 17 February 2012 02:40 PM
Lukas Velunta
American Idol Season 7 runner-up David Archuleta has recorded an OPM album, “Forevermore”, set for release in March.
Archuleta, who has been in the country for a month, noted that the decision to record an album was spontaneous. Jimmy Antiporda and South Border’s Jay Durias, the producers of the OPM album, liked Archuleta’s recording of the Ogie Alcasid song “Nandito Ako” so much that they conceptualized an album for him.
The American singer had recorded “Nandito Ako” for his upcoming TV5 miniseries of the same name where he co-stars with Jasmine Curtis Smith and Eula Caballero.
“Forevermore” will have Archuleta covering the title track, and “Hold On”, both by Side A, “You Are My Song” (Martin Nievera), “I’ll Never Go” (Nexxus), “Tell Me” (Joey Albert), “Reaching Out” (Gary Valenciano), and “Rainbow” (South Border), all OPM songs in English.
Archuleta felt that these songs have universal appeal, as they “tend to be really heartfelt, emotional, and you can really sing them.”
“I think my other fans would really enjoy listening to them as well,” he added.
Archuleta particularly enjoyed working with producers Antiporda and Durias, marveling at the speed at which the album was created.
“I give big props to Jimmy and Jay for what they’re able to accomplish in such a short time,” he said.
The album was recorded in three days.
As Archuleta will be out of the country when the album launches in March, a pre-release signing of the album was held Monday. At the event, Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-Aawit president Ogie Alcasid presented Archuleta a plaque of appreciation for recording an OPM album.
abante-Tonite.com
David Archuleta, pursigido sa misyon para sa Diyos
“That was my Valentine’s Day experience, but it was really special. I got to spend time with the people that I’ve worked with that felt like family.
So, it was great to spend the day with them.
“In between takes while we were doing the video, we were doing karaoke, which is awesome! Ha! Ha! Ha! So, that was fun.
“And then, getting to perform as a special guest at Regine and Ogie’s concert, it was very special.
“I have so much respect for them. I look up to them so much and not just because of how talented they are, how good the people they are, but they’re just very loving people and I have much respect for both of them,” bulalas ni David.
So, all-work pala ang V-Day niya?
“It didn’t feel like work, really. I mean, well… I kept busy, it was a busy day.”
Walang siyang nakapiling na special someone?
“Not really. I called my mom, if that counts. I wished her a Happy Valentine’s Day, even though it wasn’t Valentine’s yet over there (in the US) after the concert.
“So, yeah. That’s the only special someone I called. Ha! Ha! Ha!” tawa ng 21-anyos na American pop singer.
***
More than a month na sa ‘Pinas ang American Idol 7 runner-up.
Ayon kay David, ito na ang pinakamatagal niyang in-stay outside of the US para sa isang project.
Three weeks straight ang inilaan niya para sa miniserye niya sa TV5 na Nandito Ako.
Nag-extend siya rito dahil kung anu-anong projects at offers ang nagdatingan sa kanya.
“Everything happens really fast here, really quickly, but it’s been fun. It’s been exciting.
“This is quite a unique experience, staying this long away from home. But I will definitely come back,” sey ni David.
Na-enjoy niya ang every single project na ginawa niya habang nandito siya.
Ang most memorable para sa kanya ay ang miniserye dahil ‘yun ang pinakamatagal niyang ginawa at kakaibang experience ito for him.
Aniya, lahat ng mga nakasama at nakatrabaho niya lalo na sa Nandito Ako ay sinikap siyang maging feel at home, kaya na-enjoy niya ang stay niya rito.
***
INUSISA namin si David Archuleta kung paano siya nag-celebrate ng Valentine’s Day dito sa Pilipinas at kung meron ba siyang nakasamang someone special nu’ng araw na ‘yon.
Sabi niya sa amin sa presscon ng kanyang all-OPM album na Forevermore, nag-work siya nu’ng Pebrero 14, pero feeling niya ay special ‘yung mga taong nakasama niya that day.
Nagkaroon siya ng photo shoot at music video shoot nu’ng Araw ng mga Puso, tapos nu’ng kinagabihan ay dumiretso siya ng Smart Araneta Coliseum para mag-guest sa concert nina Regine Velasquez at Ogie Alcasid.
Kinanta niya roon ang Nandito Ako.
Pag-uwi ni David sa kanyang hometown sa Salt Lake City, Utah ay meron siyang isang buwan bago niya simulan ang panibagong yugto ng kanyang buhay.
He will go on a 2-year mission para sa The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, na ayon sa kanya ay gagawin niya to serve God and to serve the people.
“It’s a very difficult, challenging experience. It’s not an easy one. It’s not a comfortable lifestyle.
But that’s how you grow so much from it. It was something that I needed to do,” seryosong pakli ng binata.
Ani David, naging mahirap para sa kanya ang pagdedesisyon dahil malalayo siya sa mga mahal niya, tulad ng kanyang pamilya at sa kanyang musical career. Pero gagawin niya ito para sa Diyos.
For the last 4 years, he’s been working hard para marating ‘yung kung nasaan man siya ngayon, kaya napakahirap sa kanyang basta iwan na lang ang lahat ng ito.
“I don’t know what’s gonna happen after 2 years. I don’t know if I’m gonna have to start from scratch again. But I trust God. I trusted Him so far and He hasn’t let me down.
“I don’t wanna let Him down. Because this decision is for him. He will provide a way when I get back, like He once has,” ang sambit ng very religious na young singer.
Wala raw siyang means of communication ‘pag nagsimula na siya ng kanyang mission. Ayaw i-reveal ni David kung saan siya exactly pupunta dahil mukhang bawal sabihin ‘yon.
Sabi niya, mami-miss niya ang mga taong nakasama at nakatrabaho niya rito sa ‘Pinas kaya nakakalungkot na mag-goodbye sa kanila.
Nangako siyang babalik muli sa bansa.
Samantala, ngayong hapon sa TriNoma Activity Center ay pormal na ilu-launch si David Archuleta bilang newest endorser ng Bench.