and this was only the 4th day of shooting Nandito Ako!
Credit: Karionotur
PHOTO: Nandito Ako when @DavidArchie visited SM Southmall
Credit: @mykapalaran
If you weren’t able to pre-order your albums with Astroplus last Monday, February 13th, for David Archuleta’s last Meet and Greet, you can now pre-order your albums now at ANY ASTROVISION/ASTROPLUS BRANCH NATIONWIDE!!! All you have to do is deposit PHP50 to pre-order your album!
“Forevermore” by David Archuleta – an all-OPM album with “Nandito Ako” as the only Tagalog song in the album – will be released in Astroplus/Astrovision stores nationwide in March 2012. Price is PHP430.
Spread the word now! 
ARCHIES ALERT! FREE SHIPPING for ALL LOCAL ONLINE PRE-ORDERS for David Archuleta’s “Forevermore” ONLY at ASTROPLUS! SPREAD THE WORD NOW!
CLICK HERE for more details.
** For INTERNATIONAL ORDERS, please email astromerchandise[ar}gmail.com for details.
From Singing, To Acting, To Service
MANILA, Philippines — The past month has been replete with new milestones for American Idol grad David Archuleta.
For one, there is his first turn as an actor for the new TV5 serye “Nandito Ako” alongside local talents Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Eula Caballero.
The 21 year-old also recorded his own version of the song “Nandito Ako”, a bestselling tune that was composed by Aaron Paul del Rosario and first popularized by OPM legends Ogie Alcasid and Lea Salonga. The only other foreign artist to record it was Mexican songstress, Thalia, and it resulted in a bestselling album for her here in the country.
By next month, Archuleta will be experiencing yet another milestone as he takes a two-year break from showbiz to become a Mormon missionary. Just like his decision to pursue acting in the Philippines, it’s not the most conventional way to go about with a Hollywood career – but that’s exactly how Archuleta wants to do it.
“It’s always a scary thing when you make a decision that everybody tells you doesn’t make sense. You never know what’s going to happen. But it was kind of the same thing with American Idol. I didn’t know what was going to happen. It ended up being so fulfilling for my life. This is just another one of those things,” he explains.
A NEW EXPERIENCE
Archuleta says it was with the very same trepidation that he took on his hand at acting here in the Philip-pines. While he has already appeared on shows like “iCarly” and “Hannah Montana” playing himself, his role in the TV5 serye as international artist Josh Bradley is his first time actually acting as a character.
“I was very reluctant because I didn’t know what this experience would be like. I would have to go out and be such a long way from home for such a long time. It was something that I’ve never done before,” he says. “But TV5 was always very open and easy to work with and they made things very easy and comfortable for me. It just showed even more when I arrived here.”
That arrival back in January was the beginning of what would be almost two months of acting workshops, recording sessions, and shooting scenes in Metro Manila.
Being a newbie actor working with far more seasoned thespians presented a lot of challenges, not the least of which is the fact that he had to interact with them in Filipino – a language he only knows bits and pieces of.
“Coming into it I was very nervous since I’m not an actor. It’s a job that I don’t really know how to do. They tried to keep the Tagalog words as simple as they could so it could sound natural. It was a challenge be-cause the rest of the cast most of the time would be speaking in Tagalog and I would respond in English for the most part. It was a challenging experience,” he shares.
Doing the serye, says Archuleta, opened his eyes to an entirely new way of expressing himself, and is something that he intends to pursue even further after he has served his time as a missionary for the Church of the Latter Day Saints.
“I do lay myself bare to an audience when I sing, but it’s in a different way. Acting and singing are very similar in that way where you become very vulnerable and you open yourself up and express an emotion,” he explains. “I’m not the best actor out there. But I can’t wait to keep growing. It’s so much fun and a lot of work. I think that if I keep on working on it I can get better, because it’s just a great thing to share with people.”
PREPARING FOR MISSIONARY LIFE
More than just opening up new avenues for artistic expression, Archuleta says that his months-long stay in the country has p r e p a r e d him for the r igo r s o f missionary life. A rigid set of rules a r e i n p l a c e for Mormon missionaries, who are encouraged to limit their phone communication with their family, dress conservatively at all times, and stay away from television, movies, the Internet, and most secular music.
“The fact that I’ll be going on a mission, it’s nice that I’m here, in a way. It’s taught me a lot about myself as a person as well. I started to get more out of my comfort zone. This is the most difficult thing that I’ve done and it was great to take on the challenge,” he shares.
Fans also shouldn’t worry about him disappearing from the scene while he fulfils his obligations to his church. While here, Archuleta says he has written and recorded songs that he hopes will fill the space that he is going to leave behind.
“I’ll be gone for two years, and I don’t want to leave my fans with nothing. I just feel like it would be so disrespectful after all they’ve done to support me,” he says. “I want to make sure that the songs will be there. Even though I’m not here physically for my career, I still want to have the music there.”
His two year absence may cast a long shadow of uncertainty on his artistic career, but Archuleta says it something that he is ready to face.
“This is a decision that took a couple of years to make and finally make happen. Even though it’s scary, I know that it’ll be worth it. I’ve learned to trust that feeling in my life. I just have to keep following that feeling,” he declares.
Source: MB.com.ph
Eto na bhe..
Credit: @candicerose13
SNEAK PEEK
Source: FollowArchuleta.com
janey comment: I'd like to take a moment to say something about publicly posting videos and links to Nandito Ako. While I appreciate everyone's desire to help out their fellow fan/friends, we need to keep in mind that Nandito Ako is the sole property of TV5 Manila. Even the streaming links we all use, are unauthorized links and are not "official" links. There may be other opportunities for TV5 with this miniseries that we are unaware of and the public sharing of links can seriously jeopardize those opportunities. Please keep that in mind on twitter, in comments, etc.
TV5 has closed down YT accounts for far less infractions. They are only protecting their interests (and David's, too).
Eula Caballero sheds tears as David Archuleta says goodbye
"'Tapos nung nag-Batangas kami, nung first night in Batangas, sabi niya... ayun na naman, iyon na naman yung nakakaiyak, kasi namumula na yung mata niya.
"Sabi niya, 'I'm gonna miss this, guys.
"'We've been like taping every day, we're filming every day and we're together every day, we've been together lunch break and dinner break and all that.'
"'Tapos sabi niya, 'I'm gonna miss this because I know you guys have other projects to do after this...' and eventually daw mada-divert namin yung attention namin.
"Sabi niya, 'But me, I'm just gonna miss this and I hope I can see you guys again.'
"Sabi ko, 'Oh David, you'll be very missed by us."
TV5 PRINCESS. Isa si Eula sa mga itinuturing na prinsesa ng TV5. Ano ang reaksiyon niya rito?
"Actually, ano po yun, I dunno... basta it was last year, mga Feb siguro last year, pinatawag kami, pina-pictorial.
"Nung nalaman ko, parang... kasi for me talaga, I have to admit that nung time na yun, wala pa akong napatunayan.
"Kakalabas ko lang ng Star Factor, sabi ko, I think hindi lang yun enough for me.
"Pero I'm very thankful to TV5 kasi na-consider nila ako, kaming dalawa ni Ritz [Azul], na mapasali sa mga princesses ng TV5.
“Kasi ang dami naman diyan na puwede nilang i-consider instead of the two of us,” saad niya.
May pressure ba sa kanya ang pagiging “prinsesa” ng TV5?
“Yes, yes!” sambit ni Eula.
“Kasi yung mga kasabayan ko, sina Ate Alex [Gonzaga], ang gagaling nun e, ‘tapos well-rounded—kumakanta, sumasayaw, ganun.
“And then, parang at that time, siyempre nandun pa tayo sa kabaduyan stage, kapapasok pa lang natin.
“So, parang, ‘Oh my God, how will I look as an artista? Paano ako magdadamit? How will I go out in public? Na ganito ako, ganyan?’
“Minsan kasi, yung presentable para sa atin, it’s not enough. Parang you have to invest sa damit, make-up, and everything—the total package.
“So, yes, na-pressure ako.
“Para talagang makeover, total makeover na talaga.”
Source: PEP Entertainment
CLICK HERE to read lorm’s English translation. Thank you, lorms!!! (There are a total of 4 pages, more to come).
Much ado about David Archuleta
Spanish and American influences in our history have made embracing foreigners a painless exercise for a majority of Filipinos.
This fascination for and appreciation of Occidental and even Oriental counterparts is most evident in the world of show business where having a lovable, male “alien” as a partner has been a tradition of sorts especially among the leading female stars of the entertainment industry.
Nora Aunor, in her day, did several song and dance numbers with Sajid Khan, the charming Indian celebrity. Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos, during her disco/dancing queen period, had her fair share of buff in the person of Junior, a Spanish singer who danced with her in Rock, Baby, Rock and whose contribution to the Pinoy pop music scene was the one-hit-wonder “Ako ay Nagbalik” (with a remake during the mid-90s flash-in-the-pan L.A Lopez).
When Snooky Serna was still considered a “third force” during the reigns of the last movie queens Maricel Soriano and Sharon Cuneta, she had a Hawaiian hunk, Tom Babauta, in the forgettable Stranger in Paradise flick directed by no less than the late National Artist for Film, Lino Brocka.
Not to be outdone, Soriano also had Danni Diovanni, supposedly a “top-shot male model” who starred with her in the bittersweet romantic movie Ang Boyfriend Kong Kano.
This popular practice apparently remains a common staple to this day. The biggest import to land a starring role in a miniseries this side of the planet is his royal cuteness, David Archuleta. The 21-year-old singer is one of the most outstanding sensations that came from the most popular singing/talent search in the US, American Idol.
With his squeaky clean looks, charismatic smile and emotionally-perfect singing interpretations, Archuleta was first runner-up to David Cook in that seventh season of Idol. Both Davids had shows in the Philippines after that, and both were well-received. Banking on this popularity, TV5 signed up Archuleta alongside homegrown princesses Jasmine Curtis Smith and Eula Caballero, for Nandito Ako, a series of wholesome young love.
Unwholesome moment
Held at the Meralco Fitness Center Multi-Purpose Hall, the press conference, as expected, started an hour and a half late (why most entertainment events are always behind schedule is something that only publicists can answer).
Filipino dishes were served during dinner — nourishing kare-kare, deep-fried tilapia and chicken inasal paired with steaming rice and chopped green mangoes and fish paste. Easing the palate was black gulaman and sago. For dessert, there were refreshing halo-halo or rice cakes coupled with brewed coffee.
On cue, the press con proper began with the cast singing. Gelli de Belen and Jasmine Curtis Smith came in first. Next were Aiko Melendez and Eula Caballero, then Giselle Tongi, Anna Feleo, Joseph Bitangcol and Alwyn Uytingco, RS Francisco and Mon Confiado.
Attitude wise, De Belen and Melendez got the song. Uytingco and Bitangcol were out-of-tune. It was Feleo’s rendition, who is a classically trained singer, was most applauded.
A mini-question and answer ensued, with the young princesses answering most of the queries. Their responses revolved mainly on being “thankful” and “happy” with the opportunity to work with Archuleta.
The Q & A reached fever-pitch when a tabloid reporter asked Giselle Tongi (who plays Archuleta’s mother) queries in a somewhat “terse” manner. Tongi at first cooperated wryly, but her haughty reaction, which she thought as “cute” (“I finished college in UCLA. Alam mo ‘yun?”) drew a collective hiss and sent tongues wagging.
When the lovely Tessa Mauricio-Arriola, in grammatically correct English with a British accent at that, asked the last question, she single-handedly dispelled certain misconceptions in behalf of everyone who found Tongi’s hauteur as a major, major turn-off, considering her stature as come-backing starlet.
It’s all good
Wide gray eyes, an earnest face and a megawatt smile that can out-smile Tom Cruise make David Archuleta truly an “American sweetheart.” His answers are long, often accompanied by a short giggle or nervous laughter.
“Everybody’s asking me that,” Archuleta laughs anxiously when asked about the possibility of falling head-over-heels with any of his TV partners. “Being in this mini-series is a big challenge for me since all the cast are speaking in Tagalog. It was a good challenge for me. The acting experience was good challenge for me as well. Eula and Jasmine are great actresses.”
The singer portraying Josh elaborates, “We developed to become good friends just like the rest of the cast. Everyone has been so great, the staff and our director Mac Alejandre. It’s harder for me to end this. I really don’t want it to stop.”
David enthuses about his experiences, his eyes lighting up as he tries to tell everything. “I can’t remember all the food!” the singer exclaims. “Everyone is always giving me food, snacks or treats. It always makes me feel at home and part of the family. That’s always been great.”
Working with TV5 is one of the most rewarding career experiences for David, and he looks forward to working with the network in the near future. “I’d love to come back soon and work. I have to say, coming here I was very nervous. I’m not much of an actor. But looking back at what I went through, it was so worth it. The whole experience is something that I will treasure..”
While here, Archuleta was able to catch the AnneBisyosa Concert, concert of Jasmine Curtis Smith’s elder sister, Anne. David blurts, “It was really fun. What I respected most about Anne is, she told the audience to follow your dreams. She’s open about not being a good singer, but she still said, ‘You know, I can do this.’ I like the message she sent to the people. I think that’s something. People should dream more and do more to realize their dreams.”
Archuleta sang “Nandito Ako” to cap the event. The ditty is Ogie Alcasid’s first mammoth pop hit. It is considered by many as the national anthem of the broken-hearted and lovelorn with its theme of unrequited love.
True to form, Archuleta interpreted it with an emotional commitment way beyond his 21 years. Each line was infused with the appropriate feelings of a man in love waiting in vain for the chance to be loved by his adored.
Under the direction of Mac Alejandre, Nandito Ako premieres on Feb. 20 (Monday) after Wil Time Big Time on TV 5.
Source: The Daily Tribune
My thanks to Archuleta Philippines for the above 2 articles
CLICK HERE to see all Bench vids.
CLICK HERE for more Bench pics! (thanks, joanie)
Viska Gabrila @viskagabrila < -----Thanks!
RT @FanScene: RT @mykapalaran: NANDITO AKO ruled Twitter (again) tonight. Thanks to @albertdaryll for the compilation. pic.twitter.com/kpLcpIk6
